Boston will play host to some of Nashville’s finest songwriters and artists September 16 and 17, 2015, when New England to Nashville (NETN), Loretta’s Last Call and WLKB Country 102.5 presents the Boston kickoff to the 4th Annual Martha’s Vineyard Songwriters Festival.
Country music now dominates the summer concert landscape in Boston and this is a truly unique opportunity for fans up here to get an inside view and understanding how these songs are crafted and eventually get recorded in Nashville before they hit the airwaves at the biggest radio stations like WLKB.
Songwriting is a 9-5 job in Nashville. Over 50,000 artists and songwriters are trying to make it in ‘Twang Town’ but there are less than 50 writers who have more than one song cut a year, and barely over 1,000 songs recorded a year by major labels. “Having all these hit writers and emerging artists who have navigated these harsh waters coming up North and sharing their songs and experiences is truly a unique opportunity for New England’s country music fans” -Matt Casey, festival founder.
The Festival will start Wednesday, September 16 at 8PM with Behind the Curtain with Nashville Hit-Makers, a concert at Loretta’s Last Call, which is Boston’s only country bar located right behind Fenway Park’s Green Monster. Performers will include Jim McCormick, Marty Dodson and Clay Mills, Danny Myrick, and Lance Carpenter who have penned hits for top contemporary country artists like Kenny Chesney, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini and many other country stars. These hit songwriters will perform in Nashville style round format, alternating songs and telling the stories behind their hit smashes.
Matt Casey further says, “I am so excited to be working with WLKB and Loretta’s Last Call to broaden the Boston component of the festival. They have been two of the biggest catalysts for the huge explosion of country music in Boston and have provided so many opportunities and exposure for local songwriters and for songwriters and artists visiting from Nashville.”
On Thursday, September 17 at 8PM, Loretta’s will once again play host to the 2nd night of the Festival before it moves to Martha’s Vineyard Friday morning. This show will feature future stars of Nashville, many of who are signed by major labels, including Josh Dorr, Annie Bosko, Lance Carpenter, Jilly Martin, Casey Derhak, Brent Harrison, Morgan Myles, Vanessa Bransan and Elise Hayes. These artists will play original acoustic songs and then will be backed by a full band for covers of hit songs.
Jim McCormick, who wrote #1 songs for Brantley Gilbert and Jason Aldean, said, “I’m really excited to be a part of this event and to get to play with some of the most talented people I know. I think anyone who loves great music will enjoy these performances. You’ll get a glimpse at the future of Nashville, hear number one hits and the stories behind them, and get a sneak preview of songs that you might hear on the radio a couple of years from now.”
The festival will also feature a weekend workshop in Martha’s Vineyard focusing on both the art and business of commercial songwriting, with master classes and constructive critiques given by Jim McCormick, Marty Dodson and Clay Mills, Danny Myrick and publisher, Mike Sebastian
Additionally, emerging artist, Jackie Lee, who is signed to BBR Music Group, will be in attendance for the shows on Martha’s Vineyard.
Workshop attendees are invited to a casual BBQ/Guitar Pull Friday, September 17th in Martha’s Vineyard where they will have the opportunity to meet and interact with both the established and emerging artists.
The full festival schedule can be found here.
There will be musical performances in various island venues all weekend featuring the hit writers and emerging artists.
A portion of the proceeds from the Martha’s Vineyard Songwriter’s Festival will be donated to two non-profit organizations benefitting children: Alex’s Place created through the efforts of The Alexandra Gagnon Foundation to provide safe, enlightening, educational, and entertaining experiences for teens on Martha’s Vineyard; and the Alliance For Children Foundation (AFC), a Massachusetts-based international relief organization devoted to improving the physical and emotional well- being of orphaned and at-risk children worldwide.
For workshop information, show schedules and registration, and to order tickets to the Boston and Martha’s Vineyard shows, visit: http://marthasvineyardsongwritingfest.com.