Twin Cities Muse: Writer's Resources

Find A Co-Writer

Brad Dunse: I write towards modern country, folk or Americana with some pop and blues influences at times. I am open to various genres. I write music and lyrics and have co-written in person, on-line through email as well as Skype. E Mail Me or call 715-760-0712.
Wayne Hamilton: Long-term, experienced writer who focuses on lyrics, but also writes melodies, looking for a musically strong co-writer for blues, pop, folk, country, whatever. E Mail Wayne for more info or to arrange a meet/chat.

National Organizations

Nashville Songwriter's Association International (NSAI): The Twin Cities has a regional workshop twice a month, 1st Tuesday and 3rd Wednesday. . A great resource offering its members free professional song critiques, web casts of professional writers and teachers, access to what is happening in music city, legislative information as well host of various song camps, Songposiums, and other special events. A great songwriter resource. For more information Email the volunteer coordinator
International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA): IBMA strives for high standards of professionalism, a greater appreciation for our music, and the success of the worldwide bluegrass community. Their values are • Positive Working Relationships • Professionalism • Integrity • Honoring Tradition • Diversity & Inclusiveness • Forward Thinking • Education. Priorities & goals are • Marketing initiatives that create greater awareness and connections between bluegrass and consumers • Create and host successful events which foster our music's opportunities for success • Strengthen the organization's ability to achieve its mission • Promote professionalism within the industry • Involve young people in bluegrass through positive and educational experiences
North American Folk Music and Dance Association: Since 1989, Folk Alliance has served as the headquarters for Folk Music and Dance. With over 2000 members worldwide and an annual conference that is one of the five largest music conferences in North America, Folk Alliance continues to grow and mature while providing a unique range of member services to its community. It consists of record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, music support services, manufacturers and artists that work in the folk world. Folk Alliance has six regional affiliates that provide the grass roots efforts in their respective markets.
Songwriter's Guild of America: For more than 70 years, it has served the creative and business needs of the professional and amateur songwriter. For the yet-to-be published writer, the Guild offers education, critiques, pitch opportunities, competitions, performance nights and more.
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP): Performing Rights Organization with many benefits besides monitoring your music rights there are workshops, discounted services, insurance, ASCAP credit card, and many other resources.
Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI): Performing Rights Organization with music monitoring as well as educational workshops, music events and many professional resources for the music industry.
Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC): Performing Rights Organization monitoring music rights for its members, educational opportunities and access to many helps and resources for its members.
TAXI: Independent Artist & Repertoire Company. Since 1992, TAXI has specialized in giving artists, bands, and songwriters real access to the people in the music business who have the power to sign deals. Record companies, publishers, and music supervisors call us directly to find new artists and bands to sign. They also call to find hit songs, instrumentals and tracks for TV and film placements.
National Music Publishers Association/Harry Fox Agency: Currently representing more than 600 American music publishers, NMPA has worked to interpret copyright law, educate the public about licensing, and safeguard the interests of its members.
Independent Singer-Songwriter Association ISSA: An organization dedicated to the independent singer-songwriter. ISSA promotes and supports the disciplines of songwriting, musicianship and performance in several ways. Among them are songwriting contests, battle of the bands contests, annual singer-songwriter expo, creitiques service and more...
Gospel Music Association: Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Christian/Gospel music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music of all styles including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel, R&B, hip hop, southern gospel, country, and more.
Christian Songwriter's Organization: An on-line community and discussion list of Christian songwriters for group critiques, general help, articles, on-line showcases and more.
US Copyright Office: The home page of the US Copyright Office for information and downloadable copyright registration submission forms.

Local Organizations

Minnesota Association of Songwriters: The Minnesota Association of Songwriters (MAS) focuses on exploring elements of songwriting and the music industry. MAS is a nonprofit, member-supported community of songwriters and composers from the Midwest. The MAS mission is to inspire, educate and strengthen the songwriting and performance skills of its members by providing workshops, song critiques, showcases and networking opportunities, while encouraging collaboration and exploration of the creative process.
Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO): An organization educating and promoting the ever changing independent artist environment in all genres, guest speakers, music events, newletter,
Springboard for the Arts: Located in St. Paul, Springboard for the Arts’ mission is to cultivate a vibrant arts community by connecting artists with the skills, contacts, information and services they need to make a living and a life.
Women In Music Minnesota Networking: A Not For Profit organization designed to help promote and support Minnesotan women in the music business, through networking, education, gig opportunities
Minnesota Association of Christian Songwriters: "The purpose of the Minnesota Association of Christian Songwriters is to encourage, educate, and equip songwriters who are called to use their gifts of music and lyrics to glorify God, edify the body of Christ, and point the way to Jesus Christ."
Minnesota Bluegrass & Old Time Music Association: The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old Time Music Association is a NFP organization existing to support and promote bluegrass music in Minnesota by hosting festivals, concert sereies, jams and education.
The Minnesota Music Academy: The Minnesota Music Academy is a local organization spanning a wide area surrounding the Twin Cites providing education, showcases, competitions, awards, seminars and workshops on publishing, promoting, accounting and host of the Minnesota Music Awards. MMA also has merchant discounts in area businesses.
Folk Alliance Regional Midwest (FARM): This is the local/regional chapter of the North American Alliance for Folk Music and Dance. Contains local events and information
Madison Folk Society: A non-profit society dedicated to fostering folk music in the Madison area! They put on a series of concerts, a bi-annual festival, and run education programs in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin. They also publish a monthly newsletter full of information about relevant music and dance events.

Publications

Nashville Muse: Editor and songwriter Doak Turner is well known for his networking effort Nashville Muse. Sign up or check out the site when you plan your next trip to Nashville and find out where the writers are playing. There's lots of interesting links on Doak's site so check it out
American Songwriter Magazine: Providing in-depth interviews with up-and-coming, established and legendary songwriters; discussions with performance rights organizations and copyright law; and interviews with publishers, producers, A&R executives and other industry representatives who have something of interest to say to its readers. Covers all genres and is very informative.
Performing Songwriter Magazine: Each issue contains exclusive content that helps the music makers create and perform, and the music lovers find out about the music, processes and artists that they are so passionate about. Presented in gorgeous design filled with intricate details, Performing Songwriter is divided intovarious sections: interviews, special features, community musings, tools of the trade, reviews of new CD releases, and more.
The Inside Connection Magazine: The Inside Connection magazine provides information designed to help you gain music business success. This music industry magazine provides helpful information and resources for unsigned musicians and unsigned music artists. If you are a performing songwriter this may be of use to you.
The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money: Geared more towards the performing/marketing end of performing songwriters, the Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money is a book designed to help the indie artist navigate through the shark infested waters of the music business. While most artists concentrate solely on the creative aspects of their career, they typically are unaware and/or unprepared for the business and marketing side of show business. Here you'll find names, email, addresses, phone numbers of music industry contacts to equip you to better market your music/performances.
Music Row Directory: The Music Row Directory is Nashville’s online resource for finding anything and anybody industry related in a flash! Has latest news on personnel changes, labels signings and a section with pitch listings as well. This is a paid subscription resource but recommended by music professionals.
Muses News: A highly aclaimed songwriter newsletter with CD reviews, articleson all areas of music business, raffle, links to other resources... very informative.
Indie Music: A twice-monthly newsletter for the independent musician, with educational, promotional, and general information to help in your quest for musical success.
The Indy Bible: The Indie Bible is over 330 pages and contains: 4000 publications from around the world that will REVIEW your CD, 3200 radio stations from around the world that will PLAY your songs, 500 vendors and services that will help you to SELL your music, 200 sites where you can UPLOAD your band's music files, 500 useful resources to help PROMOTE your band, Over 50 articles that will help your career to MOVE forward rapidly.
Your First Cut: Home page for the workbook of same name as well as on-line forum of other writer's following the outline of the book.
Independent Songwriter On-line Magazine: On-line magazine for independent songwriters.

Education

SongU: An on-line songwriting educational site with on-line classes from industry professionals. Also has critique service, pitch opportunities, songwriting challenges, co-write opportunities, discussion forums, and lots of support and encouragement.
McNally-Smith College of Music: At McNally Smith College of Music, you'll explore your passion for music at a top music college with a unique hands-on curriculum that immerses you in today's technology, nurtures your vision, and develops your talents. Imagine a music college where you can study music business, music composition & songwriting, audio recording, production and live sound, or popular music performance with your instrument of choice--guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, voice, or brass & woodwinds.
Marc-Alan Barnette Coaching: An unusual resource for you to consider either traveling to Nashville for, or getting a group together and having Marc-Alan do a workshop. Read over the summaries, reviews, and info on his web page. He offers a personal or group tor of meet and greets, sit down evaluation of your songs, performance abilities, networking and other tools to be a career songwriter in one of this countries premier major music locations.

Nashville Services

Joyce Medlock Rooms: If you are traveling to Nashville and need a room to bunk, you'd do well to check out Joyce's rooms. Reasonable rates, wireless connection, and clean. Joyce is a songwriter herself and has the rooms set up as such. For more information contact her for more info.

Software

VSS Lyricist: VSS Lyricist is "the songwriter's best friend". Keep all your lyriccs, sound bytes, charts, notes and etc. in one place as well organize them by albums. Supports Nashville Number system, has chord finder/wizard, rhyming dictionary, theasaurus, and other tools such as text formating with hot kyes to make your sheets more professional.

General On-Line Resources

Just Plain Folks: A community of over 42,000 Songwriters, Recording Artists, Music Publishers, Record Labels, Performing Arts Societies, Educational Institutions, Recording Studios and Engineers, Producers, Legal Professionals, Publicists and Journalists, Publications, Music Manufacturers and Retailers and about every other type of member of the Music Industry. Their Motto is.... "We're all in this together!"
SongWellspring: • Free list of music libraries in touch with media producers around the world. Providing names, contact information and song submission tips. • Free list of music supervisors responsible for locating quality music for media projects every day. • A glossary to help you understand licensing terminology. • If you're a performing songwriter, you'll find a list of performance venues. • A list of local, state, regional and national songwriting organizations. • A Forum, where you can communicate with other songwriters about any topic that's important to you.
Measure for Measure - Opinion - New York Times Blog: Measure For Measure is a quick insider view at some of the writers shaping the music of today. They talk candidly about their writing motivations, goals, and values. This is a quick but interesting read
Peter Berryman's Folk Column: A monthly column written by Peter Berryman for Mad Folk News, the newsletter of Wisconsin's Madison Folk Music Society.
Dave Isaacs Blog: Dave is a seasoned touring musician, teacher and writer who settled in music city (Nashville) and has a phenomenal simplistic insight to various things from how to improve and broaden your musicianship, to lyric writing to live performance enhancements and playing well with others. He has a very helpful blog which is recommended reading for any songwriter.
Artist House Music: A musicians’ Website where all musicians can receive informational support, guidance, and expert resources to help them navigate the challenges and maximize the opportunities available to them within the music industry.
Creative Cafe: This site was founded by Teddy Gentry of the country band Alabama and has a growing catalog of music by writers and artists available to A&R folks, publishers and record lables. There is a streaming radio clip, critique service and other resources as well.
I Write The Songs: A site with various songwriter helps based off the syndicated radio show of same name and which various show archives and interviews with known writers are on the site. A great resource.
Irene Jackson Songwriter Tips: Performing Songwriter and educator Irene Jackson's web site with helpful tips and articles on songwriting and performing.
The Songwriting Education Resource: Another product of Danny Arena and Sara Light with articles, chats, and helpful information to help you grow as a song writer.
Songwriting With Jason Blume: Jason Blumes web site with tips, articles and resources for helping the songwriter's tools.
Craig Bickhardt BLOG- Ninety Mile Wind: Craig Bickhardt has had his songs recorded by Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, B. B. King, Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, David Wilcox, Poco and others. Besides his music areer he is a SongU instructor and has a blog worth reading here. Check it out.
Songwriter's Connection: They are publishers, songwriters, performers and producers striving to make your journey a little easier and lots more successful. They offer a very helpful E tip. Sign up for the FREE Weekly songwriting e-tip, delivered right to your mailbox. Send an email to sign up.

On-Line Writing References

On-Line Idiom Search: Keyword searchable idiom finder on-line.
Urband Slang Dictionary: Urban Dictionary is an on-line searchable slang dictionary with your definitions.
Roget's On-line Thesaurus Text Version: This is an interface onto the Project Gutenberg Etext of Roget's Thesaurus No. Two, which is derived from the version of Roget's Thesaurus published in 1911. Exscellent quick resource.
Rhyme Zone Dictionary: On-line searchable Rhyming Dictionary
WikiRhymer: WikiRhymer is a user-editable wiki-style free on-line rhyming dictionary. Check it out! Install a rhyming dictionary directly in your FireFox or Internet Explorer Version 7 browser toolbar. Have instant and always available access to rhymes. It's free and no strings attached.
Your Dictionary and Thesaurus: The most comprehensive online resource for your dictionary needs. YourDictionary is a free online English dictionary and much more. The free dictionary search gives you definitions, thesaurus entries, spelling, pronunciation, and etymology results for your word. Alternatively, you can browse the dictionary alphabetically or by related terms to find meanings and synonyms.
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition. 1995. Bartleby.com: A contemporary searchable online version of Roget's thesaurus.
Web Slang and Acronyms: Listing of web acronyms and slang.
Slang Dictionary On-line: SlangSite.com is an on-line dictionary of slang, webspeak, made up words, and colloquialisms.
Commonly-Used American Slang: More than 280 common American slang expressions sorted alphabetically.
PEAK English™—Slang: A slang dictionary that’s easy to use, but many of the definitions provided are for common slang terms that should already be familiar to most native English speakers. Has a searchable database of slang and idioms. As well slang and idiom "a day" mailings.

Audio Stream Resources

Jim Parker's Songwriter Showcase: Hit songwriter Jim Parker hosts the Jim Parker' Songwriter Showcase and makes this awesome resource available to you via the net... highly recommended! Best known for his John Anderson hit "Chicken Truck" Jim jams his other awesome tunes with the likes of such writers as Tony Lang, Walt Aldridge, Casey Kelly, Kasey Jones, , Jimbeau Hinson, and other's you haven't heard of yet. You may not know the names but you'll recognize the songs. Nonetheless the performance and songs are awesome! If you find the server down just E Mail Nason and he'll fire it back up again. You can put the following link in your player for streaming or listen on the site above: http://devineonline.com:8000
Audio Nashville: Interviews with industry pros, like publishers, hit writers, rising and established artist and those "way off music" row making a living in this great business. Click on and listen in.
Jim Parker Music: A link directly to hit songwriter Jim Parker's Songwriter Showcase where you can see who is in the queue for the showcase, find Jim's bio, links to pics taken and other links… plus links to the wonderful writers who have graced the stage at the showcase... its a whose who of songwriters. Check it out.
Story Behind The Songs: Hear the story behind some of the popular songs on radio.
The Music Row Podcasts: Hear the top writers in Nashville talk about the songs, how and why they write and etc.