Making the Scene: Nashville: How to Live, Network and Succeed in Music City

by Liam Sullivan

Overview

(Book). Nashville may be considered the epicenter of country music, but today, this thriving music industry town is home to a diverse array of musicians and musical styles. Combine that musical community with a "livable" town that's more friendly and affordable than some coastal music cities, and it's no wonder that musicians continue to flock to Nashville to play, write, record, produce, and live otherwise fulfilling lives. Getting acquainted with any new city is a challenge. For musicians, picking up and moving presents a whole host of challenges. Musicians make noise and thrive on working with other musicians, whether playing in rehearsal spaces or gigging. They need spaces where they can create, record, and hang out with other musicians. They need to know where to play, where to buy gear, where to meet other musicians, where to see live music, and where to network and exchange ideas with other musicians. Making the Scene: Nashville will serve as a comprehensive guide for musicians and artists of all types looking to move to and establish themselves in Nashville, Tennessee. Sprinkled with historical references on how Nashville became the home of country music along with interviews from a wide range of music professionals and resources, this book will become a prime resource helping artists and others meet the challenges of moving to Music City USA Nashville, Tennessee.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781617740893
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	09/01/2012
Pages:	266
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Liam Sullivan is an active musician living, working, and playing in Nashville. Currently creative director at Tricktones LLC, a music production company, Sullivan spent the past 15 years as an executive with music magazines, holding positions at Spin and Entertainment Weekly. Previously, he created Vertigo Magazine, a cutting-edge guide for adventurous tourists in New York City, and Linx, a step-by-step walking guide through the streets of Amsterdam, Holland.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction 1

Preparation Meets Opportunity 2

The Nitty-Gritty 3

Chapter 1 Welcome to Nashville 5

A Personal Journey 5

Finding Your Way 8

Chapter 2 Nashville: A Brief History 11

The Beginnings 11

Music for the Masses 14

The Birth of Country Music 14

WSM 650 AM-"The Air Castle of the South" 16

The Grand Ole Opry-The Longest-Running Radio Program in American History 17

The Ryman Auditorium-"The Mother Church of Country Music" 19

Will the Circle Be Unbroken? 20

Making the Scene-Nashville Listening List 21

Country Music History Timeline, 1892-1984 22

Interview: Sheree Spoltore, Vice President, Membership Services, NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) 24

Chapter 3 Settling In 31

Resources for Making Your Move 32

Getting Here and Around 33

Airport 33

Shuttles from the Airport 33

Hotels 34

Car Rental 35

Word on the Street with Nashville Songwriter Julie Forester 37

Public Transportation 38

Taxi Services 38

Buses 38

Finding a Place to Live 39

Rentals 40

Resources 40

Best Neighborhoods for Musicians in Nashville 42

Downtown 42

East Nashville 43

Word on the Street with Nashville Songwriter Ryan Michaels 44

Hillsboro Village/West End/Music Row 46

Germantown 47

Berry Hill 48

Sylvan Park 48

Green Hills 49

Buying a House 50

Utilities 51

Recycling 51

Internet and Cable 52

Local Banks 52

Furniture 53

Interview: Tim Fink, Vice President, Writer Relations, SESAC 55

Mattress/Futon Stores 59

Mega-Marts 60

Discount Stores 60

Flea Market 62

Malls 62

Electronics/Appliances 63

Interview: Jeff King, Guitarist for Reba McEntire 65

Buying a Car 68

DMV Plates and Emissions Test 69

Finding a Job 71

Personal Appearance 72

Hair Salons 72

Spas 74

Interview: Julie Roberts, Nashville Recording Artist 74

Tattoos 78

Clothes 79

Men's Clothes 80

Women's Clothes 81

Jeans 83

Shoes for Women 84

Interview: Kirsti Manna, Songwriter and Owner of Songwriter Girl 85

Health 87

Gyms 87

Yoga 89

Medical/Health Insurance 89

Family and Personal Help Services 91

Day Care 91

Helpline 92

Food Shopping 92

Specialty/Organic Produce 93

Grocery Stores 95

Spirits 96

Pets 97

Pet Care Boutiques 99

Nashville Parks 100

Nashville Festivals 101

Bookstores 102

Art Supplies 104

Museums 104

Interview: Bradley Collins, Director, Writer-Publisher Relations, BMI 105

Chapter 4 Nashville Skyline 111

Nashville Skyline 111

Coffee Bars 113

Breakfast 116

Word on the Street with Nashville Songwriter Amber Hayes 119

Lunch 122

Meat and 3 126

Interview: Robert Ellis Orrall, Songwriting Craft 128

Cheap Eats 133

Dinner 138

Vegetarian/Vegan 142

Late-Night Eats 143

Bars 144

Nightclubs 149

Karaoke 150

Interview: Mark Lonsway, Audio Engineer, Singer-Songwriter 151

Chapter 5 Gigging Out: Open Mic/Writers' Nights 155

Playing Out 155

Interview: Debi Champion, Nashville's Leading Open Mic/Writers' Night Host 157

Debi's Tips: Making the Most of an Open Mic/Writers' Night 162

Why You Should Play and Attend an Open Mc/Writers' Night 162

Open Mic/Writers' Night Venues 163

Live Music Venues 167

Honky-Tonk, Country, Bluegrass 168

Rock/Indie Rock 170

Printers Alley 173

Interview: Joe Limardi, Program Director, WSM 650 AM 174

Jazz 179

Classical 180

Nashville Social Networking 180

Interview: Amy Kurland, Founder, Bluebird Cafe 180

Chapter 6 Musicians' Corner 185

Succeed 186

PROs (Performance Rights Organizations) 187

Music Publishing 101 191

Interview: Mark Weiss, Director of Business Affairs, Ten Ten Music Group 192

Top Music Publishing Terms Every Musician Should Know 199

Publishing Deal 200

Mechanical Rights or Mechanical Royalties 200

Statutory Mechanical Royalty Rate 200

Synchronization Rights, or "Sync Rights" 200

Performance Rights 200

Co-publishing Deal 201

Master 201

All In 201

Advance 201

Transfer of Assignment 201

Most-Favored Nation Basis 201

Exclusive Agreement 202

Single-Song Agreement 202

Perpetuity 202

Life of Copyright 202

Public Domain 202

Song and Music Publishers in Nashville 203

Music Education 205

Interview: Dr. Don Cusic, Professor of Music Business, Belmont University 207

Recording Studios 212

Talent Agencies 215

Record Labels in Nashville 216

CD/DVD Duplication 219

Music Instrument Stores 220

Gear Rental and Rehearsal Space 223

Record Stores 224

Interview: Ralph Murphy, Vice President, International and Domestic Membership, ASCAP 227

Music Festivals 233

Radio Programs for Musicians 238

Radio Stations 239

Country Music TV Stations 240

Music Magazines 241

Chapter 7 Road Trips 243

Land Between the Lakes 244

Bluegrass Underground at the Volcano Room 246

Natchez Trace 248

Radnor Lake 249

A Day Trip on the General Jackson 251

Chapter 8 Nashville Breakdown: A Review 253

Live 254

Network 255

Succeed 256

Make Your Scene 257

Bibliography 259

Index 261