What do you need to know to play an open mic night in Nashville.

1. Be ready to play your set , be in tune and DO NOT tune or talk on stage while another performer is singing.Do this in a place away from the stage, do not sit at a table while another group of performers are playing and tune your guitar. This shows a disrespect for your fellow artist
2.Stay here and support the other performers whenever possible. Nashville is a community of writers and artists and we need to show total support for each other. Leaving after you set is finished shows that you do not support the other writers on your night
3. Listen to the other writers and performers because you will learn something from every performer , it might be a new chord, the way they phrase a song, the way they talk to an audience or a myriad of other things that may help you become a better performer and writer. Keep in mind that a lot the writers have cuts, hit songs and have performed in front of thousands of people.
4. Remember there may be someone in the audience that can help your career. Publishers do come to writers nights but they will usually not attract attention to themselves sitting at the bar or a corner table so they can listen to the songs. i know of 4 friends of mine who are now hit songwriters with pub deals that resulted from playing at a writers night
5. Keep in mind that you are performing in Nashville where songwriting is held in the highest esteem. If you came here it is assumed your goal is to be a hit writer a megastar or both and the way you conduct yourself while networking, performing etc will have an impact on your career.
6. Know your songs. Be sure you have rehearsed and know the songs that you are playing backwards and forwards. While some of us old guys have senior moments it is still not professional to forget a song on stage.
7. Be aware that other artists and songwriters are waiting to perform. Keep your preamble short and your songs within five minutes so everyone gets to perform
You will of course ask what qualifies me to post this. I was a songwriter night host at three different venues in Nashville over the years and hosted a open mike at a large venue in Colorado fro many years. I hope this helps everyone better understand the etiquette behind a professional writers night and I wish all my fellow songwriters and artists the very best!!

Written By Gary Cavanauagh 2014

I have recently had the pleasure of video taping a wonderful vocal talent. Kensi Moore is one talented lady. You will be hearing big things from her in the future.

Here is her video from the Pavilion Coffee House in March 2014
http://youtu.be/e5_qDUNgqkM

Here are some groups of songwriters/performers you should look for while in Nashville. Winfields Lockett, EverAfter, Janet Hattabaugh and AJ Schubert. All excellent performers who play in local clubs all the time. They are all playing at the Pavilion Coffee House Sat Feb 8th at 7:00pm

Joel Shewmake has been chosen as the "Best of the Best" for the year 2013 on NashvilleEar.com. Joel played on several songwriter stage events and every time Joel brought excellent songs along with a great well rehearsed performance of his original songs. Several of which have been recorded by noted stars in the Country music world. http://www.nashvilleear.com/html/best.html This annual honor is given to the songwriter we believe has shown us an outstanding quality in their approach to songwriting. Our Best of the Best is a recognition of lyrical strength and the perseverance necessary toward becoming a great songwriter. We are happy to honor this excellent songwriter with our "Best of the Best" award for the year 2013.

NashvilleEar is branching out into new territory

The NashvilleEar has started to do a few different things. I am working with 6Minor Films to build a movie about Nashville songwriters. These are songwriters who are not native to the area. Each songwriter left their homes and towns and family to move to Nashville to become a professional songwriter. Each has a story of success and getting beat down. The different conceptions on the songwriter community were unreal good. If you ever wanted to be a songwriter in Nashville this is a movie you need to see. It is titled "Road to Music City". It will be released in the spring of 2014. Another fun thing I have been doing is working with a bluegrass band. Reno & Harrell are one of the best bluegrass bands in the country. Their first CD "Reno Bound" came out at #15 on the "Bluegrass Today" charts. I am managing and booking them for bluegrass festivals in 2014. You can see their music and videos here: www.RenoandHarrell.com

This is Bex Marshall, the finest blues guitarist and singer I have ever run across. I had the pleasure of meeting her at a bonfire one evening in Nashville.She is a very nice lady and very charismatic in her personal interactions. Here is an interview with her for Elwood BluesMobile radio show. She plays a few songs and talks a bit about herself. Very interesting. Here is the interview..

Black Diamonds by Reno & Harrell