Wednesday, June 20, 2012

MCAU: The Latest Nashville Area Arts News



***JULY 18 (Wednesday): 'TUNESMITHING OFF MUSIC ROW'...  The monthly songwriters show "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will feature 10 songwriters at Taps in Hillsboro Village with performances by hit songwriter Casey Kelly; the Roots music duo LORENA with Diane King and Crystal Miller; singer-songwriter Susan Shann; and singer-songwriter Mike Mitchell.  Butterfly will read poetry during the opening segment, which features five performers (TBA). Learn more about "Tunesmithing" at http://www.Tunesmithing.com .  To sign up to perform for the "Opening Guest Segment", send an email inquiry to tunesmithing@earthlink.net


(Photo: Casey Kelly)


PUBLICIZE YOUR DREAM!... The annual "Publicizing Your Dream" PR workshop for artists and entrepreneurs will occur from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. July 28 (Saturday) at O Gallery at Marathon Village with a day of hands-on publicity training, followed by an artist-sharing event called "Arts On The Row".  The first 10 people to sign up will receive complimentary tours/Q&A sessions on July 27 at a news media operation and arts industry business/organization (TBA).  Many surprises are in store.  The seminar will be led by former newspaper reporter Chuck Whiting.  For information or to register, visit http://www.PublicizingYourDream.com or write PublicizingYourDream@earthlink.net .  (Scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter for the full story.)

WATERCOLOR PAINTING CLASSES... Artist/instructor gail McDaniel's next round of watercolor painting classes will begin on July 31 in Brentwood and Aug. 1 in Nashville.  (See "Artist Resources")

CONGRATULATIONS TO... The WannaBeatles, who plan to release a new song and video honoring Betty White. (See "Congratulations to...")

NEW INSTRUMENTAL... Chuck Whiting, with the help of expert clarinetist Max Niederle, has released the new instrumental recording "Dreamer On The Prowl" on Shine Time Records.  You can listen to a clip of the tune at http://www.CDBaby.com/ChuckWhitingMaxNiederle .

ARTIST QUOTE FOR JUNE... "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."  -- John Lennon, songwriter 





***Check out the entire Music City Arts Update newsletter with photos and extra articles at http://www.MusicCityArtsUpdate.com . 





Tuesday, June 19, 2012

'Publicizing Your Dream' Workshop Set for July 28 in Nashville



            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 2012) -- Artists and entrepreneurs of all kinds can learn the nuts and bolts of the public relations process by attending the "Publicizing Your Dream" workshop on July 28 (Saturday) at O Gallery at Marathon Village in Nashville, Tenn.

            The communication workshop, which will be led by publicist, educator and composer Chuck Whiting, will occur from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. in O Gallery's studio at 1305 Clinton St. near downtown Nashville.  Attendees will learn all aspects of publicity, including the tools reporters and editors use; developing news hooks; writing, editing and distributing press releases; adapting press releases for the Internet; and preparing for a news media interview. 

            Whiting founded Whiting Publicity & Promotions and is a former reporter for The Mobile (Ala.) Press Register. He will walk attendees through the publicity process step by step with feedback and professional critiques.  PR case studies will feature insights from professionals in business, literature, music, the news media, songwriting and visual art.  The day will end with an artist/entrepreneur-sharing event called "Arts on the Row".

            Highlights of the workshop are

            *  Educational sessions covering all aspects of the public relations process, including the writing of a press release in Associated Press style.

            * PR case studies (Q&A) with several professional artists/entrepreneurs who have used publicity to land news stories on local, regional and national levels.  Participants include filmmaker/visual artist Robyn Morshead, author/songwriter Candy Paull, and songwriter/visual artist Laura Powers.

            *  A tour of a news media operation (TBA) on July 27 (Friday) with insights from a leading editor or producer.

            * A tour of a Music Row business or organization on July 27 (Friday) with insights from a leading marketing professional. 

            * An artist/entrepreneur show-and-tell event called "Arts on the Row" featuring professional artists in comedy, film, literature, music, songwriting and visual art. 

            Tuition for all sessions of the "Publicizing Your Dream" workshop is $95 (for registration by July 20) and $120 (for registration from July 21-27).  Artists can attend individual two-hour sessions for $30 each. Participation in "Arts on the Row" is included with registration.   Complimentary tours of the news media operation and Music Row business/organization are limited to the first 10 people who register.  Employees of non-profit organizations are eligible to receive a 10 percent discount. Advance registration is required.

            "My goal will be to teach artists and entrepreneurs how to handle their own publicity, including the writing and distribution of a professionally written press release," said Whiting, who founded Whiting Publicity & Promotions in 1993.  "We're adding several PR case studies with business and arts professionals to give attendees true-life examples of the communication process.  'Arts on the Row' is a wonderful way for artists to share their visions and receive feedback."

            A former newspaper reporter, Whiting has served the arts, entertainment, hospitality and tourism industries for more than 25 years.  He started his career as a reporter for The Birmingham (Ala.) News and The Mobile (Ala.) Press Register.  He served as the PR representative for the Gaylord Opryland Hotel for more than seven years.  His PR firm currently represents clients such as visual artist/instructor Gail McDaniel, former Harlem Globetrotter "Jumpin' Johnny" Kline, National Vocabulary Championship Coach of the Year Debbie Watts ("Word Woman"), recording artist/songwriter Joyce Rouse ("Earth Mama"), film composer/music producer Greg Sims, award-winning visual artist Charlotte Terrell, two-time Grammy winner Dennis Scott and The WannaBeatles, music producer/songwriter Jerry Michael, visual artist Camille Engel, and speakers/food and beverage educators The Saucy Sisters (Barbara Nowak and Beverly Wichman).

            Whiting also teaches journalism and public speaking courses as an adjunct professor for Middle Tennessee State University, Motlow State Community College, and Volunteer State Community College.  He is the co-author and co-songwriter of the children's book and CD, "The Littlest Star: a musical story"; editor of the arts newsletter Music City Arts Update; and founder/emcee of the monthly songwriters show, "Tunesmithing Off Music Row".

            For more information or to register for the "Publicizing Your Dream" workshop, call (615) 242-9857 or (888) 80-SHINE, send an email inquiry to PublicizingYourDream@earthlink.net or Arts@WhitingPublicity.com, or visit http://www.PublicizingYourDream.com.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

'Tunesmithing' to Celebrate Bayou Blues and Jazz on June 20



            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 2012) -- "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will spotlight nine professional and emerging songwriters with a special Bayou Blues and Jazz Night from 7-10 p.m. June 20 (Wednesday) at Taps, 2117 Belcourt Ave. in Hillsboro Village. 

Taking the stage for professional songwriter spotlights from 8-10 p.m. will be singer-songwriters Bryan Cumming (Grammy nominee/"Fab Fan Memories" by The WannaBeatles); Ted Drozdowski (DVD/CD "BIG SHOES: Walking and Talking the Blues"/number five on XM/Sirius Radio's "B.B. King's Bluesville"); Les Kerr ("Mackinac Blues"/NPR's "All Things Considered"); and Mark Robinson ("Quit Your Job -- Play Guitar" CD).  

(Photo: Les Kerr)

An opening guests segment from 7-8 p.m. will feature songwriters Zophia Amey, Julie Delgado, Rocky Dimmick, Haley Georgia, and Kristen Voorhies.  

Publicist-educator-author- songwriter Chuck Whiting and comedian Paulina Combow will emcee the show.  Admission is free. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Books & Music.  

For more information about the event, call (615) 242-9857, write Tunesmithing@Earthlink.net, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com .