The Ultimate Songwriters Workshop!

UPDATE!!!
After attending this workshop and playing his song for publisher Steve Bloch, workshop participant Steve Johnson got his song, "White Crosses" signed with Writer Zone music! Way to go, Steve!!!

The Ultimate Songwriters Workshop brings Nashville to Northwest Arkansas!

The first annual "Ultimate Songwriters Workshop" was held at the Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down in Eureka Springs, Arkansas on August 2 - 5, 2008. This four day event boasted an incredible schedule of events including seminars, jam sessions and get togethers as well as an impressive lineup of Nashville songwriting professionals including two major publishers, and four #1 hit songwriters!

The goal of this annual workshop is to bring the most helpful songwriting seminars into one location, while adding some excitement and fun along the way. The workshop is founded by Leslie Wright Productions, instructed by Barbara Cloyd (hit writer of "I Guess You Had to Be There" by Lorrie Morgan), and hosted at the Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

The main focus of the workshop is to bring a diverse group of songwriters together for one purpose - to write better songs. Barbara Cloyd is an amazing teacher with unique instruction methods, and it's been said that aspiring songwriters will learn more in one day with her than they would in an entire year of other workshops. She has a very "hands on" approach and involves everyone, but be prepared - she doesn't sugarcoat it! She's fantastic, and for songwriters looking to improve their technique, she's highly recommended by several associations including the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).

The workshop will be held yearly at the Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down, which has held over 250 shows every year for the past 27 years. The Hoe-Down has been home to many artists who have gone on to become Nashville recording acts and hit songwriters including Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts. The theater will accommodate up to 600 songwriters and has a wonderful stage, sound, and lighting system for concerts.

The location of the workshop is set in beautiful historic Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This town of about 2300 people hosts over 800,000 tourists every year....all without having a single stoplight in the entire town. It's a step back in time, nestled in the Ozark Mountains, and known as "Little Switzerland". Stay in any one of the many motels, or hide out in a luxury cabin or bed and breakfast suite. The choices are endless, and the town is honored to have these songwriters as their guest!

The workshop features Barbara Cloyd's "Ready for Row" seminar, which will give all songwriters the opportunity to hear a lot of helpful information about bringing songs to Nashville. She'll explain how things work and show the participants the right way to pitch their material in order to have the best chance at being heard. Other seminars include information about joining songwriter associations (ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC), marketing through the Internet, how to set up a home recording studio for less than $500, and how to make money writing songs.

As a bonus, writers will have two days of one-on-one sessions with Barbara, and will learn even more tricks of the trade. One of Nashville's hottest publishers, Steve Bloch, will also be present to help with critique sessions. Steve has secured hits for many artists including Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Lee Ann Womack, Trent Sumnar, and Tom Schuyler just to name a few.

While the main purpose of the workshop is to provide an amazing learning experience, having fun is a close second! Saturday night, August 3rd, featured a karaoke/bonfire get together at the Travelers Inn in Eureka Springs. All participants were invited to come enjoy some good outdoor fun and mingle with other songwriters. Tuesday, August 5th was a favorite day for many as they enjoyed a lake party on beautiful Beaver Lake at the home of some great friends, Buzz and Charlotte Houston.

Later that evening was the icing on the cake, though, when hit songwriters sat on the edge of the Hoe-Down stage and performed a personal concert for all participants. will be one of the most exciting events when the main headline songwriters get together to perform in one big concert for all workshop participants! Joining the round were Sam and Annie Tate (writers of "If You're Goin' Through Hell" by Rodney Atkins), Matt Ramsey (writer for new publishing company by Phil Vassar), and Barbara Cloyd. We were even treated to a brand new song by Sam and Annie Tate that will soon be released called "The River Just Knows."

This 4 day event is unlike any other songwriting workshop, and is a must for songwriters that are serious about breaking into the business the right way. Songwriters will have several workshops jam packed into one trip, have a chance to be seen and heard, listen to successful songwriters, and make many new friends that could end up being their co-writer on the next hit song!

For more information about the workshop or to sign up, visit the website at www.UltimateSongwritersWorkshop.com. You can also call Leslie at (877) 242-6481 or (870) 715-2867 for information. Next year's workshop is set for August 1 - 4, 2009. Several motel/ticket packages will be available on the website at a discounted rate, but rooms are limited and will go very quickly!

www.ultimatesongwritersworkshop.com