Music Jobs in Nashville? Moving to Nashville or Tampa.. (schools, property taxes)

[Optimum]

Originally Posted by akm4

No keyboardists and no drummers?

I'm not sure what to say. Is this a joke? LOL!

Let me just say that when planning a session (to record demos of new songs), there are plenty of drummers and keyboardists to choose from. Plenty of them play stone country.

No rehearsal halls? I can think of 5 off the top of my head, and I'm a writer, not an artist.

Also- if an artist went around to labels swearing they were not country, I don't think that would go over so well. You're more likely to hear the opposite. Up-and-comer Jesse Lee's myspace headline is "Live and breathe country". That's not unusual. The Country Music Hall of Fame's slogan is "Honor Thy Music". We embrace that. The people I work with are proud of what we do. We write country music. Traditional, bluegrass, Southern rock/country.....whatever flavor it ends up, it's still country.

Let's end on the one thing we agree on- there are some fantastic singers here.

Hey akm4,
How is the songwriting business going for you? Any suggstions for a fellow songwriter coming down to Nashville?

blessings to you!!
Optimum

[akm4]

Yes, thanks, things are going well. Another TV usage and a film in development has placed 3 of my songs.

As for advice, I would recommend joining NSAI and SGA. Play out as much as possible, and do NOT meet with publishers until your P.R.O. rep tells you you're ready. First impressions can bury you in this town if you get too anxious. Trust your rep. If you don't, find a new one. The right person can be your greatest asset, and we all need an ally in this business

Good luck!

(I'm sure you know the P.R.O.s, but for another reader- they are SESAC, ASCAP and BMI. They collect and distribute royalties.)

[Headin4nashville]

Resteraunts, music companies to apply for jobs at in Nashville near Music Row any help would be appreciated - which ones, most respected? Thx!

[Jzer21]

I have 5 friends that I can think of from the top of my head that moved here (to Nashville) to get into the music business. I have only lived here for two years, while they have been here longer. Do you know how many of those 5 were able to find work in the music industry? 1. And I'm talking about people with degrees in music and music/business. There are plenty of opportunities here, but don't think that they'll come to you easily. This city is FULL of people trying to make it in the country music industry. They really are a dime a dozen. Just go to any karaoke bar in the downtown area and you'll find them. Of course, if you have good connections and know the right people, you're halfway there.

[Optimum]

Originally Posted by akm4

Yes, thanks, things are going well. Another TV usage and a film in development has placed 3 of my songs.

As for advice, I would recommend joining NSAI and SGA. Play out as much as possible, and do NOT meet with publishers until your P.R.O. rep tells you you're ready. First impressions can bury you in this town if you get too anxious. Trust your rep. If you don't, find a new one. The right person can be your greatest asset, and we all need an ally in this business

Good luck!

(I'm sure you know the P.R.O.s, but for another reader- they are SESAC, ASCAP and BMI. They collect and distribute royalties.)

Hey that's awesome for you akm4, I hope the best in your music. Thanks for the advice too. Will look all up I am a recent member of BMI. I have done many local things up in my neck of the woods in PA but want to come and be involved in Nashville. Need a core group. I am coming for a visit soon and will check out things. IF you care to share..how long have you been successfuly writing and performing songs? Do you have a website(can pm me if you like).

Thanks for your help. That is Kind of you.
blessings and more work ahead for you,
Optimum

[vasinger]

Hey, nice to meet a fellow musician.

I am a musician too- and I do sort of Country/Americana and a bit of Jazz and even some Gospel.

Im a singer songwriter. Nashville is saturated. By that I mean that even to play regular gigs there's a waiting list. I reccomend trying a few open mics if you can visit the area first.

The Bluebird Cafe and Douglas Corner Cafe. Those are musts for any musician.

Also Cocos and Edgehill studios offer good gigs for musicians.

Then you can try to network. There's a website called "Just Plain Folks" musician boards. I would reccomend it.

Just Plain Folks Songwriting & Musician Networking Organization

Getting bookings on the other hand can be hard. It took me 2 years to get the gig at the bookstore for this summer. Its mostly if you're local- its first come first serve. Locals that have quick draw do well.

If you're interested in Music Row and the industry, I can't really help you. Because I am a firm believer that the music industry in Nashville and elsewhere isn't interested in art. Independent is the way to go !

Good luck.

[jkpeskey]

Howdy gang,
I am a classicaly trained violinist/violist (got a masters in performance from New England Conservatory) I want to go into country music...where is a good place to start? Nashville?
Doing the Mr. Holland's Opus thing in Atlanta now (Atlanta SUCKS - rap, hip-hop seems to be the only thing here....!)

[alleycat]

I don't know how hard it would be to join (I'm guess very hard), but we have a great symphony here. You might think about trying to get on with the Nashville Symphony while you get established doing the country scene. Your best bet is probably as a studio musician. I would check around at all the recording studios. Of course, you could always find some up-and-coming country band that needs a "fiddle player". Hang out at the Bluebird and other clubs and network.

I'm not in the music business, so I can't tell you much more.

[kar]

Originally Posted by jkpeskey

Howdy gang,
I am a classicaly trained violinist/violist (got a masters in performance from New England Conservatory) I want to go into country music...where is a good place to start? Nashville?
Doing the Mr. Holland's Opus thing in Atlanta now (Atlanta SUCKS - rap, hip-hop seems to be the only thing here....!)

Hi jkpeskey,

I am an alumnus of Berklee College of Music and live here in the Nashville area. If you private message me I think I can point you in the right direction

[Pariah]

Originally Posted by Angelrocks

Orlando has a lot going on. If you need to go to college I would suggest Full Sail (Orlando area)! That is the school to go to if your trying to get into the music industry.

I know this post is kind of old, but just a word of warning about Full Sail -- my husband and I both graduated from there. My husband completed the recording arts and show production and touring programs. During interviews and networking here in Nashville, my husband has been told many times that professionals here do not like Full Sail because they pump out hundreds of graduates monthly, mostly of low quality. A lot of the students there are far more into partying then going to class. The students in the recording arts program have the worst reputation as being slackers, drug problems, etc...half of them are certain they're going to jump from graduation to working with some hip hop star the next day.

Granted, I did learn a lot there. I completed the digital media program, and I liked it. But Full Sail's reputation doesn't seem like something great to have on your resume, seeing as how so many people here think it is a joke...too bad we're finding out $70k too late.