West Coast Songwriters

Welcome!

Here you will find up to date information about what's going on in the WCS Portland Chapter.  It's easy to find who to contact, where to go and when it's all happening!  If you need to reach us, please follow the link below to email the Portland Managers.

Please be sure your membership is current.   RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP.

NEWS FROM PORTLAND MANAGERS:

Sunday Feb, 12th we've got a double header for you; both at The Buffalo Gap upstairs.

3:30p - Nashville Song Pitch/Critique Skype sessions with #1 Hit Songwriter Jennifer Adan.  Jen will provide expert critiques of all songs, is on the look out for co-writers and songs to place with other artists.  Attendees will meet at the Buffalo Gap, and interact with Jen in Nashville via Skype (she'll have the song on her local computer)

Jen's journey began in San Mateo, California, when she was 10 years old. During a fifth-grade history class, Jennifer secretly wrote her first song unaware that it could lead to a career.  At age 15, she revealed her talent by playing her parents a song she’d written for them for their 25th wedding anniversary.  In addition, she let them know there were 100 more songs where that one came from.

After doing some research, Jennifer joined the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and West Coast Songwriters Association (WCS).  Both organizations provided contacts and educated her on the art of songwriting as well as the music business.  

After winning a songwriting contest by Jeffrey Steele, she came to Nashville to work with him and meet other talented songwriters.  Steele convinced Jennifer to make the cross-country move to Nashville away from her family in order to chase her dream.

Now, she has celebrated the success of a number one hit for Blake Shelton “She Wouldn’t Be Gone" And most recently, Jennifer's song "Race You to the Bottom" is the title track on the New Medicine cd and is climbing the charts! Also, her song "Don't Come Home" is featured on MTV's The Real World: San Diego Finale episode. Jennifer cowrote the song with Betsey Long, Freddy Litwiniuk, and Holly Elle, who is the artist on the song.

TO RSVP for this event, contact Daniel Work (daniel@smileynote.com) AND send your songs to info@westcoastsongwriters  Put "Skype Screening Submission for Jen Adan and artist"  in the subject. One song per person.  Free for WCS members $20 for Non Members. Non members prepay before emailing song.  Please note that being on our flashmail list does not mean you are a member.  Non members pay here:  http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org/shop/songscreening

6:00p - WCS Performing Songwriter Competition

A message from new Song Comp manager Chris Margolin "chrismargolin@gmail.com"

"For those who don't know me, my name is Chris Margolin, and I've taken over the Portland chapter of West Coast Songwriters, as Chris Merrill has made the move to Nashville.There are 6 spots left for the upcoming February 12th songwriting competition at Buffalo Gap. If you are interested in being a part of this event, please email me, and we'll add you to the list.

The details for the event are as follows:

Competition starts promptly at 6pm, so please be at The Buffalo Gap no later than 5:45pm. I will have two mics/stands available for use. Please bring your own instrument(s).

You will perform 2 original songs. Feel free to give a brief introduction about each song, but please be discrete. This isn't “Storytellers”. Lyric sheets are appreciated. 

We will give an award for “Best Song” and “Best Performance”. The winners will return in July to compete with the other monthly winners for the 2012 Portland Song of the Year and 2012 Portland Performer of the Year. The Song of the Year winner will then compete against the winners from the other 16 chapters for the West Coast Songwriters Song of the Year. The finals will take place in Berkeley, California. The Performer of the Year will be invited to perform at the WCS Conference in September(Los Altos Hills, California), during a mid-day showcase.

In order to win the monthly and final competition, you must be a WCS member. If you are not a member, you are welcome to participate in one monthly competition, but will be ineligible to win. To become a WCS member, please go to http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org/become-a-member

Thanks all,

Daniel and Chris

Songwriter Competitions

• Competitions are held monthly
• Location: Buffalo Gap on State Route #43, 6835 SW Macadam Ave - Portland, OR 97219
• Sign Ups: 7:30pm;  Event begins promptly at 8pm
• $5 for performers
• Sponsored by: Noisy Planet & Smileynote Studios

Best Song and Best Performer win the following:

* Premium Artist Service Package, from Noisy Planet which includes hosting up to 20 songs, 5 photos, and your bio, plus they’ll distribute one album to iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, Amazon MP3, Napster and others. In addition you will receive 100 personalized promo cards promoting you as a featured artist on Noisy Planet.

Here's how the Skype Publisher Pitch works.

1. RSVP to me, daniel@smileynote.com that you want to attend/submit.
2. Send me a .mp3 of your song, and the lyrics, we will get them to Mark ahead of time so he can read/listen at his studio (BY APRIL 15th please!)
3. WCS MEMBERS FREE ENTRY (if you are not one, please consider signing up at www.westcoastsongwriters.org)
4. Non WCS members, only $15, which we ask you to pay online at http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org/shop/pnw-songscreening-non-member (if you cannot do that, you may bring a check for $15, made out to WCS, at the Publisher's Pitch, but PLEASE do not stand us up)
5. Show up, by 1:45, on Sunday April 17th, and be ready to listen and learn; it will be a very cool 3 hours.  

Song Screenings

• Songs are played in the order submitted
• $5 cover charge
• Non-members welcome, but only WCS members may submit songs.  However, should you wish to join at the door, you will be able to participate the same evening.
• Submit one song per person on CD with a typed lyric sheet showing member's name/address/phone attached to the back with a rubber band.
• Deadline for CD submission is the sign-up closing time.
• All songs are played in the room, with the music industry guest critiquing each song so that everyone can hear the song and his/her comments.
• If interested, the guest will pick up the song for further consideration.
• PLEASE NOTE: SONG SCREENINGS ARE OPEN TO WCS MEMBERS ONLY.  Sign Up Now

CD Mail-In Service

• If you are unable to attend the song screening, you may mail in one song for that month's screening series - but it must be received before the 15th of that month.
• CD's will not be returned
• You will receive a Publisher's Response Form giving you written feedback regarding your song.
• Please include a $5 check and a SASE
• On the outside of the envelope, write the name of the guest screener
• Mail your CD and Lyric Sheet (One Song Only) plus your $5 fee (Please, no cash) to WCS, 1724 Laurel Street, Suite #120, San Carlos, CA 94070

Works In Progress

As a member of WCS, you have the opportunity to meet with talented, well-respected and accomplished songwriters to review your song (either finished or unfinished).  You will receive constructive comments to make your song better.  

This Month's Winners

Location