Any advice on music job searching in Nashville? (how much, movies)

[music-composer]

My wife and I are planning to move to the Nashville area in the next couple months and was wondering if going there to visit and applying in person to jobs would be more affective then online or calling them? We both have Master's Degrees and have been burnt out by the lack of opportunity here in Va Beach. I know alot of people want to get into music industry and I am one of them. I'm a film music composer and my wife is a writer. Does anyone have any advice that might have gotten into the industry or mabee have learned valuble lessons concerning music jobs in Nashville? I've been, if you want to call it that here in Va Beach, successful as possible (mainly composing for low budget films, television movies, & occasional trance and pop music album contrabutions but without anyone really knowing anyone else here it's been nearly impossible to keep going on financially wondering about the next month after month. Not a very fun way to live. Is there a trick of the trade to get your name known through people who actually know other people? I know there's a Guitar Center in Nashville so do most people start off small like that and then try getting to know producers and directors that way?

[alleycat]

I'm not in the music business (and don't want to be), so my comments are general.

Most people who comes to Nashville go around and try to get to know people in the business. If they want to sing or become a songwriter, they go to the Bluebird on amateur night, or play other clubs (someone is always playing for tips at one place or the other). They get their work into as many hands as possible. I'm not sure how much help going to a music store would be; if you do that, go to Gruhn's or Chambers or one of the local shops. Guitar Center is probably full of teens pretending they're Steven Tyler (although I've never been . . . I already have two guitars and play them both badly).

You might also think about teaching somewhere for a while.

You might also talk to the folks at the Tennessee Film Commission. There's a few movies made in the state every year (Walk the Line, The Green Mile. etc.)

You do know the CMA Music Festival is in early June, don't you. It could possibly turn into a "met and greet" for you.

[akm4]

I would suggest your first 2 stops be SGA and NSAI- the 2 main songwriter's org.s. Then go straight to your P.R.O. (ASCAP, BMI OR SESAC) and make a contact there.

Welcome and good luck!

[Life_is_Good]

Also I would go take a look at this website :
www.filmnashville.org