I’ve been in the music industry for over 25 years and have seen every type of show and performance. From my time working at record labels traveling around the country, I’ve witnessed the biggest artists in country music, the newest emerging acts, and everything in between. There are so many incredible performances that come to mind and each stand out for different reasons, but on a whole there is nothing that compares to the experience of a well executed songwriter round. 
If you’ve been to songwriter rounds, occasionally called “guitar pulls,” you are likely nodding your head in agreement. For those of you unfamiliar with these special songwriter events, they are typically a group of 2 to 5 songwriters who gather together to swap stories, tell jokes, describe how their songs came to life, and then perform those songs acoustically. It’s an intimate look behind the music.
It’s common to think that singles heard on the radio from top artists were written by them personally, and while some recording artists are also songwriters, many do not solely write their own material (and some not at all). They seek out songs from the amazing pool of songwriting talent that makes up Music City, which is not only the home of many genres of music, but is essentially the songwriting capital of the world. This fact has been nicely portrayed on ABC’s television series Nashville, as well as in many articles, features, and videos over the years.
You would be hard pressed to find a more engaging and honest form of entertainment than songwriter rounds. It’s true not every songwriter is wired for the stage, but when you combine extraordinarily talented writers who love telling stories and entertaining a crowd, the environment is nothing short of magical. You’ll laugh, you may cry, and you’ll be thoroughly entertained by Nashville’s brightest behind the music stars.
You hear it so many times, but it all really does start with the song and songwriters are the core creative force behind everything you hear.
If you’re ever planning a visit to Nashville and looking for the best places to locate a songwriter night, start at the Bluebird Cafe and also see what’s happening at The ListeningRoom, 3rd & Lindsley, Puckett’s, The Commodore Lounge, and Douglas Corner.
If you happen to be searching for the best songwriter entertainment for a corporate, seminar, convention, or other private event, you should check out something I’m involved with – Songwriter City. We partner with the very best songwriters and customize round-type shows to meet specific needs and budgets. It’s the ultimate authentic music experience from Music City’s biggest hit makers.
No matter where you are, make it a point to support and encourage your local songwriters. They are the heartbeat of musical life, not only in Nashville, but around the world.
For The Record 