Education - MusicStartsHere

Featured Contributors

Discover the music business insiders who have contributed to the MSH community.

Marc-Alan Barnette

Contributing Songwriter

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Marc-Alan Barnette338 pts

Contributing Songwriter

Marc-Alan Barnette is an original. A self-proclaimed “square peg in a round hole,” Barnette has emerged with a unique musical sound that is in his own words, “not totally country and not totally blues…too blues for country and too country for blues!” Aptly classified as “In-Your-Face-Country-Soul,” Marc-Alan’s music and Marc-Alan himself have created a huge buzz on the music scene. Barnette is the king of reinventing himself- a dichotomy of heartfelt and hilarious, crazy and down-to-earth. Because of the variety of hats Barnette dons for each of his shows, he certainly keeps every audience on its toes, thoroughly entertained and wanting more. Marc-Alan Barnette was born and raised in Birmingham. As part of a musical family (distant cousin was Jimmie Rogers, one of the founders of country music...and his father, Grady, was a gospel quartet singer), Marc-Alan grew up singing in church and in various bands and taught himself how to play the guitar. Since his first moment on stage, Marc-Alan knew that getting people fired up and performing was his natural calling. His band, 24 Karat, was chosen as the top band in the country in the 1984 Miller High Life battle of the bands out of 30,000 applicants. After a move to Nashville in 1988, Marc-Alan scored a cut with Shelby Lynne his first night in town. He has had success in Nashville as a writer, several publishing deals, and cuts by John Berry and David Ball, including the current single “Too Much Blood in My Alcohol Level” on the Ball “Freewheeler” album. He has co-written with the best and along with his former back-up singers “The Kinleys,” he has opened shows for Charlie Daniels, Garth Brooks, Ricochet, and Patty Loveless. Besides writing and performing, Marc-Alan also has a passion for mentoring and coaching writers through workshops and seminar programs that he has created all over the US. Through his efforts with NSAI, SGA and Songwriters of Canada and other organizations, he has helped further the goals of many writers, leading to publishing and representation deals, and greater awareness of the intricacies of the music business. Marc-Alan’s smoky whiskey voice has brought comparisons to Ray Charles, Otis Redding, and other great soul and country greats. From his warm, haunting ballad of lost love, “Old Memories,” to the driving rocker, the hilarious “Too Much Blood in My Alcohol Level” to his signature tune, “TABLES AND CHAIRS,” Marc-Alan has proven himself to be a prolific writer and a fantastic performer. Music critic Robert Orreman has said of Barnette: “If you see this guy’s name listed on a club, run, don’t walk to get there.”

Janine Le Clair

Contributing Music Artist

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Janine Le Clair155 pts

Contributing Music Artist

Soulful Country recording artist, Janine Le Clair is a world class talent and an international award winning vocalist. A dual citizen of her native Canada and later naturalized Australia; in 2008; she relocated internationally yet again to Nashville, TN. She was immediately recognized as a talented songwriter and has been a published writer in Music City ever since. This "Aus-anadian" - as she has been branded - has had many cuts with American Country Artists and several Top 15 hits in Australia including Natalie Howard's THE GIRLFRIEND, 3rd Wheel's GETTIN' HITCHED and her own single, BULLETPROOF. Her journey to Nashville was unconventional to say the least; Janine Le Clair developed as a triple talent; singer, dancer, and actor educated at the University of Windsor in her Canadian hometown where she attended on scholarship Canada's top accredited music theatre program. After winning Most Outstanding Vocalist at Music Fest Canada, opportunities in Australia called her name and soon Le Clair was awarded Western Australia’s Female Vocalist of the Year at Australia’s GWN Country Music Awards. Today, Country music artist Janine Le Clair is now among Nashville’s most known and respected talent and shares her time between writing, recording, and touring throughout the U.S.A. She is also a revered Actress, Hostess and Vocal Coach. Working on a new project, holding true to her trending #WorldCountry style. “I call her The Voice. If you’ll just listen, you’ll see what I mean.”- Michael P. “Huffdaddy” Huffman, Managing Director, SSM Nashville “Janine is astounding at songwriting and performing. She brings innovative ideas to both these areas. Not many artists have Janine’s sense of pride in her art and work ethic.”- Matt Watkins, Publishing Administrator, Walkerbout Music Group, Inc, The Aristo Media Group

Deanna Walker

Contributing Songwriter

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About Deanna Walker

Deanna Walker is the founder and director of the Blair Songwriting Program at Vanderbilt University where she teaches several songwriting classes per semester (college as well as continuing ed. classes...

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Rick Barker

Contributing Industry Professional

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Rick Barker136 pts

Contributing Industry Professional

I am a husband, father of two and am very blessed to have been able to make a career out of something I have loved for as long as I can remember “Music.” I am a Personal Manager, Marketing Consultant, Public Speaker, Teacher and now I can say Author living in Nashville Tennessee. I am fortunate to have been involved in some amazing careers including Superstar Taylor Swift. After a 15 year career in radio, I moved over to the Record Company side in 2004 after accepting a job with Big Machine Records. I developed a unique touring model which helped create opportunities for recently signed artists with or without a National Radio Single to get in front of audiences, it was called Nashville To You. The concept was no matter where you lived in the country we would bring Nashville To You. Some of the first acts we took out were Sugarland, Josh Turner and Rodney Atkins. I LOVE to teach and share with others. Too often people waste time, energy and money because of lack of direction. I have made it my goal to assist as many people as possible who are interested in pursuing a career in the music business. My PHILOSOPHY is based on getting your product in front of an audience, building relationships and putting your career into your own hands. Let me take you back to a conversation I had with Taylor in 2005. This excerpt is from Pollstar Magazine. Pollstar interviewed Taylor Swift in 2007, when the 17-year-old was celebrating her first gold album. She was managed by Rick Barker, previously the West Coast rep for Big Machine. Barker told Pollstar that he told Swift that if she wanted to sell 500,000 albums, she would need to meet 500,000 people. “He was the first one to ever say that to me and it sunk in,” Swift said. “I literally had a Top 10 single and no manager. We held off for a while because we kept saying, ‘Oh well, we’ll get this song to Top 30 and then we’ll be able to get a better manager. Oh, we’ll get this song Top 20 and then we’ll get a really good manager.’ Then we started realizing that we’re doing this whole thing ourselves.” I know that all sounds pretty simple, but if it were don’t you think everyone would be doing it? The point is with the internet you can get to the people. Today, there is no excuse with all the online tools available (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) The ONLY person holding you back is you! After spending a couple of years managing Taylor, I realized I wasn’t the “travel the world kind of guy” (having a wife and two young kids, helped me realize that) so I decided to move the family to Nashville and set up shop. Over the past four years I have been involved as a consultant to Sony Music Nashville and Big Machine Records. I have secured Major Label Recording and Publishing Deals for my clients. I created a National Tour for unsigned artist who didn’t have a song on the radio called The Nashville To You Campground Tour. I have become an expert in Artist to Fan engagement and continue to speak on that topic at various seminars. It is all about The PLAN. There are NO GUARANTEES, and if anyone tells you there is, RUN! What I do is evaluate what you have, and teach you how to take what you have and grow it into a business. This business is hard enough, don’t make it any harder. If you would like to find out the strategies involved and what it takes, then reach out to me. I am where I am today because of hard work and great mentors. I am ready now to pass it along to the next group of people who want to have a career in one of the most rewarding and fascinating businesses in The World, The Music Business. I look forward to speaking with you personally. Rick Barker strives to teach artists how to be artists. With major changes in the music industry and digital world, record labels expect artists to build their online presence and fan base, become great songwriters and performers, and ultimately create their own buzz. Labels no longer spend thousands of dollars to “develop” an act. Today, labels are interested in investing in small businesses. Therefore, it is the artist’s job to treat their art as a business and become an attractive partner to a record label. Between formerly managing music superstar Taylor Swift, serving as the Social Media Mentor to finalists on FOX’s American Idol, and working as a private consultant to entities such as Big Machine Label Group and Live Nation, Rick Barker’s influence on the music industry is without question. Utilizing his extensive experience in radio, Rick created the “Nashville To You” radio tour, which played an important role in the early development of several acts, including Taylor Swift and Sugarland. With marketing tactics featured in Billboard and other well-known publications, Rick has dedicated his life to helping independent artists plot out the most efficient strategies for turning their music into a career. He is also the co-author of “The $150,000 Music Degree”, a music business e-book that, upon its release, was the most downloaded book on Noisetrade and he created Social Media For Music, the first ever step by step instruction course dedicated to the Music Industry. He was the first record promoter hired by Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta, where he had a role in the label’s first Number One record with singer-songwriter Jack Ingram. Rick later went on to found his own marketing and consulting firm, at which his first client was Sony Music Nashville. He is also the mastermind behind Music Industry Blueprint, a development service teaching artists from around the world everything they need to know about the complicated music business. We hope Rick’s free resources inspire you to take control of your career and become a business-minded artist who is ready to take on this crazy industry.

LOCASH

Contributing Music Artist

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LOCASH103 pts

Contributing Music Artist

It’s an exciting time to be LOCASH these days. That might very well be one of the biggest understatements in Nashville these days. Already in their career, the duo of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas have enjoyed hit singles, sold-out concert appearances here and abroad, and have tasted the top of the chart as two of Nashville’s quickest-rising songwriters. But, to quote the old saying... You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet. Recently signing with Reviver Records, the duo is joining forces with some of the biggest names on the Country Music business landscape. Brust says they could feel the team’s energy from the first meeting. “We haven’t felt an energy like this since the day we began our journey. This feels like it has all come together –the right label head, the right promo team, it finally feels like we’ve got all of our ducks in a row for the first time in our lives. We’ve been out there doing the grass roots thing for so long, and to feel it all come together, is so encouraging.” As The LoCash Cowboys, the duo have made a presence at radio with such records as the feel-good anthem of “Here Comes Summer,” and the tender emotions of “Keep In Mind,” and “Best Seat In The House.” With a new name, there is an underlying current of new and exciting energy, but the music is the same style their fans have come to know. “We’ve been doing this for ten years now, and I sort of feel like we have grown up a little bit in the business. We’ve matured in the business, and learned how it all works. We just wanted to simplify things and get down to the roots of what we are all about. That’s what LOCASH means anyway is remembering where you come from, and your roots. Because of that, we decided to go with LOCASH and just keep it real simple. Everybody calls us that to begin with. I think we’ll always be referred to as LoCash Cowboys out there somewhere, which is ok. That’s how we started.” That part together happened at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon, where the pair worked together in the club’s DJ booth. They talked about their influences – which range from Gospel (Preston’s great-uncle was Gospel legend Albert Brumley) to Rock and Roll bands such as Motley Crue and Quiet Riot. The two also talked about their dreams of a career in the business, which have come true beyond their wildest imagination – though they are far from done writing the chapters to their story. An integral part of that LOCASH book is their songwriting. “I think that part of what we do reflects our different personalities, and what has happened in our lives,’ says Lucas. “The passing of my father was ‘The Best Seat In The House.’ Preston and I still write things like that. But, a lot of times, as songwriters, you get to go in someone else’s world, and try to think about what you would do in a situation. Some days, I feel like hearing something upbeat, and when there’s a lot of stuff going on in the world, we want to bring something a little fresh and make people want to roll down the window and smile. Then, there are songs that you have for when you’ve loved someone so much in your life, and you don’t want to let them go – like your wife and your kids, we have those songs too. It’s day by day what we write, and I don’t think any of that has changed. I just think the sound of it has evolved. We’re so excited to put it out so people can hear it.” The duo has seen their profiles rise in the business thanks to a pair of hit singles from two of the format’s most iconic voices. “I think having Keith Urban recording ‘You Gonna Fly,’ and giving us our first number one song really changed it all, and Tim McGraw doing ‘Truck Yeah” a few months later was huge to us as songwriters. That was his comeback single on Big Machine, and to be a part of that was a great moment,” said Brust. And, the cuts keep coming! “We just got a cut from Joe Nichols,” he continues. “I think our songwriting really adds value to what we’re about. Sometimes, as songwriters, you write hundreds of songs, and you never know if people are on the money with what you’re doing or not, and then all of a sudden, somebody like a Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, or Joe Nichols cuts your songs, and it just makes you feel that someone is really listening and they appreciate what you do. It’s a reminder of why you get up everyday and do what you do.” LOCASH has made believers out of Nashville, radio, and the corporate world, as well. They have earned endorsement deals from Dean Guitars, Under Armour and Mossy Oak apparel, Comcast, Bud Light, and Bowtick Bows and Crossbows, as well as Kicker Audio, who sponsored their “Livin’ Loud” tour. Their love of the outdoors has led to appearances on such lifestyle-oriented TV series as All Star Cast. Chris and Preston also believe in giving back to their community, by participating in such charities as D.A.R.E., St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and the T.J. Martell Foundation. Other highlights on the LOCASH resume include performances on the TODAY Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in Times Square in New York City on New Years’ Eve, as well as their debut at the historic stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Lucas also has great memories of taking their music abroad. “We have been able to take LOCASH worldwide. We’ve done some stuff in Germany and Switzerland, and we do a lot for the United States Military. Those shows always turn out to be some of the best shows we’ve ever done because when you’re overseas, and they don’t get the American music, it’s great to bring that to them. I’m an Army brat. My father, his grandfather, and great grandfather all were, and I’m the only one who didn’t. We really take advantage of every chance to perform for our troops, which is something we will always do. It’s a highlight not only of our careers, but also our lives.” All along the way, the group is mindful of those who have stuck with them since day one – the fans. “There’s ups and there are downs, but one thing about our fans, they are faithful and loyal whether you are No. 1 or last place on a chart,” admitted Brust. “They don’t care what label you’re on – as long as someone is paying attention and wants to get the music out to them. That’s when they get fired up. They want to see us in the spotlight because they have stood by us for so long. There are days where we can get a little down sometimes, and the fans pick us up during a show, and make us want to keep on going down the road. I think they have fueled us as much as we’ve fueled them.” That hunger for their music by the audience has accounted for (to date) ten million views on YouTube. The coming year will bring the fans what they have been clamoring for – new music. And, with the ultimate All-Star team at Reviver in play, Lucas says that the future is bright. “We know we can make this new record deal very successful. We’ve done our due diligence. We have throw kindling all over the place, and it’s time to light it. We’ve got a lot of great fans and people who believe in us. I don’t think you can be in a better position than what we are right now. We have studied with the best, and “For The First Time Ever,” we are confident that our songs and live performances are at the top of their game, so get ready to experience Livin’ Loud with LOCASH.”

Rich Redmond

Contributing Musician

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Rich Redmond72 pts

Contributing Musician

Rich Redmond is a top call recording drummer/percussionist based in Nashville and Los Angeles. Rich’s versatile, dynamic, and rock solid drumming is the sound behind many of today's top talents. Rich has toured/recorded/performed with: Jason Aldean, Ludacris, Kelly Clarkson, Bryan Adams, Bob Seger, Joe Perry, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Thompson Square, Steel Magnolia, The Pointer Sisters, John Eddie, Pam Tillis, Susan Ashton, Deana Carter, Montgomery Gentry, Alabama, John Anderson, Trace Adkins, Keith Urban, Emily West, Lauren Alaina, and many others. Rich has played drums and percussion on 18 #1 singles with sales well over the 20 million mark. As a high-energy live showman, Rich plays sold out shows of 20-65,000 fans nightly in amphitheaters, arenas and stadiums across the world. Rich has appeared on the trail of television shows such as The Grammy Awards, The Tonight Show (with Leno, O’Brien and Fallon), The Today Show, Conan O' Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Craig Ferguson, Good Morning America, Ellen, The CMA Awards, ACM Awards, CMT Awards, ACA Awards and many others. Rich also leads a production team known as 'NV' (New Voice Entertainment), which is constantly developing new talent such as Thompson Square, and Parmalee. Together these acts have celebrated 3 #1 hits. Always looking to help others and make a difference, Rich brings his "CRASH Course For Success" motivational drumming event to drum shops, music stores, high schools, colleges and corporate events across the world. Rich has presented at The Percussive Arts Society Convention in 2011 and 2013. Rich began playing drums at age 8 and eventually played in the prestigious 1:00 Lab Band at The University of North Texas. Receiving his Master's Degree in Music Education, Rich now combines his classical training and 'street smarts' musicianship to bring his passion filled drumming to the world. Rich was voted “Best Country Drummer” and “Clinician” by both Modern Drummer and Drum! Magazines. Rich has also been featured in Drumhead and Rhythm magazines. Rich’s first book, “FUNdamentals of Drumming For Kids ages 5-10” is published by Modern Drummer and is an Amazon best seller.

Victoria Shaw

Contributing Songwriter

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Victoria Shaw68 pts

Contributing Songwriter

Victoria Shaw. If you’ve listened to music at all during the past two decades—and honestly, who hasn’t?—chances are Victoria’s talent has touched you. The Nashville-based, New York-born triple threat has either written or produced some of music’s most memorable tunes and performed on the world’s biggest stages. Whether you’re talking about Garth Brooks, Ricky Martin or Lady Antebellum, Victoria’s Midas touch has helped craft music that makes memories. Her compositions include six #1 hits for superstar Brooks (“The River" and "She’s Every Woman” among them), Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera’s multi-format smash “Nobody Wants to be Lonely” and John Michael Montgomery’s “I Love The Way You Love Me,” which won an Academy of Country Music Award as Song of the Year and went on to pop success with international group Boyzone. As a producer, Victoria co-produced Lady Antebellum’s platinum debut, which helped put them on the musical map and earned her a Country Music Association award for Single of the Year (“I Run To You”). Victoria’s other production credits include Jim Brickman, Richie McDonald, Canadian Country Music Association Award winner Jessie Farrell, HLN’s Robin Meade and television personality Carson Kressley. In addition, Victoria penned Jim Brickman's "Sending You A Little Christmas," Doug Stone’s “Too Busy Being In Love,” the Garth Brooks/Trisha Yearwood duet "Where Your Road Leads" and Eric Church’s breakthrough hit, “Two Pink Lines,” among others. The winner of numerous songwriting awards from performing rights organizations ASCAP and SESAC, Victoria has also scored two daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Original Song for the daytime dramas One Life to Live and As The World Turns. As an artist, she has released four albums—two on Reprise Records and two on her own Taffeta Records Label. In 1998, she collaborated with Garth Brooks, Billy Dean, Faith Hill, Olivia Newton-John, Neal McCoy, Michael McDonald and Bryan White for a charity single (written for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation) titled "One Heart at a Time.” The daughter of two musicians, Victoria Shaw grew up listening to the California country-rock of the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt. She began singing and writing songs as a child, performing with her sister around Los Angeles. Her outreach has expanded just a bit. Victoria has performed throughout the world, including opening for Garth Brooks during his infamous New York City Central Park concert, playing the London Palladium and most recently touring with her friend and frequent collaborator, Jim Brickman. Quite simply, Victoria Shaw is an important part of modern music.

Karl Braun

Contributing Industry Professional

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Karl Braun56 pts

Contributing Industry Professional

Mr. Braun is a partner in Hall Booth Smith's Nashville office, where he specializes in various areas of litigation and transactional work. Beginning in early 1995, Mr. Braun’s litigation practice with HBS has continued to grow in both Georgia and Tennessee. Early on in his career with HBS, Mr. Braun practiced extensively in the areas of general liability and medical malpractice litigation, areas in which he continues to practice today. As his practice has grown, he has developed expertise in assisting businesses with formation, formalities, dissolution, acquisitions, transactions and related matters. He has also developed an extensive transactional practice focused primarily within the entertainment industry. His litigation practice has expanded to include intellectual property matters in the entertainment industry and otherwise, legal malpractice, transportation, business litigation and retail liability. Mr. Braun also has experience in the areas of insurance coverage, construction, products liability, family law and appellate work. Mr. Braun's entertainment litigation and transactional specialties were born from personal experience. Having spent more than fifteen years as a professional musician and songwriter, Mr. Braun offers a unique, first-hand understanding of the "real life" dynamics inherent in the relationship between industry and artist/songwriter. Additionally, Mr. Braun offers a wealth of insight based upon his business experience and transactional work for entertainment industry entities of all types including, publishers, record companies, film and video production companies, entertainment conglomerates, songwriters, artists, administrators, entertainment entrepreneurs/investors and more. He is a regular speaker at the annual Entertainment, Sports and Intellectual Law Conference and has spoken at other entertainment industry conferences as well on various issues facing the music and entertainment industries. His practice requires frequent and relevant interaction with all aspects of the entertainment world in areas including, but not limited to, social networking, music and video streaming, downloading, subscription services and analyzing their impact on the industry as a whole. His expertise includes effective utilization of social networking and website development for business marketing and promotional purposes for clients including emerging and established businesses, publishers, artists, songwriters, producers, agents, managers, record companies and more. Mr. Braun has been annually included in the Music Row publication, "In Charge" which highlights "Nashville's Music Industry Decision Makers.” Mr. Braun attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida where he studied music and received a B.A. in creative writing. He attended Georgia State University College of Law where he was an Associate Editor of Notes and Comments, Georgia State Law Review and a member of the Outer Barristers Guild. He also published reviews of selected 1991 Georgia Legislation (Georgia State University Law Review, Vol. 8, No. I, Jan. 1992). Mr. Braun received his J.D. magna cum laude in 1992. He is a voting member of the National Academy of the Recording Arts and Sciences, the Country Music Association and is admitted to practice in Georgia and Tennessee. Mr. Braun represented one of the nominees for the 2012 Presidential Campaign, in nationally publicized copyright litigation involving music performing rights.

Michael Ray

Contributing Music Artist

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About Michael Ray

From Eustis, FL, on tour now - single Think A Little Less - Listen on Spotify / iTunes http://smarturl.it/mraytall

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Byron Hill

Contributing Songwriter

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About Byron Hill

Nashville songwriter Byron Hill has written songs released on seventy-seven RIAA certified Gold and Platinum albums and singles, earning ten ASCAP awards, thirty-two U.S. and Canadian top-ten chart hits,...

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Luis Espaillat

Contributing Musician

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About Luis Espaillat

Luis Espaillat is a multi-faceted bassist and musician whose career has spanned many genres and taken him around the world. His unique sound can be heard in all forms of media from shows on network television...

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Barbara Cloyd

Contributing Songwriter

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Barbara Cloyd41 pts

Contributing Songwriter

Few things are more exciting to Barbara than discovering and developing new talent. Her introductions have helped land publishing deals for now/successful songwriters including Barry Dean (“Pontoon”), Anthony Smith (“Run”) and Brett Jones (“If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away”). She was the first person to co-write with Big Machine artist Seth Alley and 3 Ring Circus writer/artist Adam James who credit her with helping them understand the basics of commercial country writing. Shortly after her move to Nashville, Barbara was hired to start the Bluebird Cafe Open Mic and you will still find her there every Monday. Since then she has hosted at a dozen different Nashville venues including Blue Bar where she currently runs scheduled rounds and open mic every Tuesday. She scored big with her own writing when Lorrie Morgan had a top 10 hit with her song “I Guess You Had To Be There”. Because of her success, many writers began asking her for feedback and advice and she discovered her passion for teaching. Through one-on-one consultation she has helped countless writers gain a better understanding of song craft and the music business. In 2001, she started her Play For Publisher Workshop series which connects talented writers with top Music Row publishers. These connections have led to staff writing deals, single-song contracts and co-writes with published writers for some of the attendees. All who participate come away with a clear picture of what it takes to succeed in the Nashville market. Workshop alumni include John Nite, Dustin Lynch, and Joe Leathers. Her website www.barbaracloyd.com and her Youtube channel are full of helpful information for developing songwriters.

Music Education

Articles, videos, stories, and tools to help elevate your game and develop your craft.

Featured Contributors

Discover the music business insiders who have contributed to the MSH community.

Marc-Alan Barnette

About Marc-Alan Barnette

Connect with Marc-Alan Barnette

Contributing Songwriter

Janine Le Clair

About Janine Le Clair

Connect with Janine Le Clair

Contributing Music Artist

Deanna Walker

About Deanna Walker

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Contributing Songwriter

Rick Barker

About Rick Barker

Connect with Rick Barker

Contributing Industry Professional

LOCASH

About LOCASH

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Contributing Music Artist

Rich Redmond

About Rich Redmond

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Contributing Musician

Victoria Shaw

About Victoria Shaw

Connect with Victoria Shaw

Contributing Songwriter

Karl Braun

About Karl Braun

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Contributing Industry Professional

Michael Ray

About Michael Ray

Connect with Michael Ray

Contributing Music Artist

Byron Hill

About Byron Hill

Connect with Byron Hill

Contributing Songwriter

Luis Espaillat

About Luis Espaillat

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Contributing Musician

Barbara Cloyd

About Barbara Cloyd

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Contributing Songwriter

Videos

Exclusive video interviews with top music professionals.

Getting Started & Coming to Nashville

On Showcases & Press Kits

Starting Your Music Career The Right Way

Getting The Gig As A Musician

Songwriting Mistakes

Interview with Karl Braun (Entertainment Attorney)

Practical Advice For Songwriters

Basic Advice On Starting Your Career In The Music Business

Knowledge Articles

Helpful guides to successfully navigate the music industry.