Louisa Branscomb

(reprinted from Jan., ’07 IBMA Newsletter)

2006 IBMA marked the kick-off of the Bluegrass Songwriter Association, a new constituency group of IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) songwriters and others interested in songs and the role of composing in bluegrass. The special events for the new group, open to all IBMA members, included 4 Song Circles led by professional songwriters and open to all, and our first official business meeting.

Our first year events exceeded our expectations, with excellent turnouts for all the song swaps, participation of over 50 songwriters of all ages and backgrounds sharing their songs, exciting personal involvement from professionals who played and shared personal thoughts about their songs, and a buzz of excitement throughout the convention. All in all, some 150 people took part as listeners or participants.

The idea of a bluegrass songwriting organization was a dream I’d nurtured for some 12 years, waiting for the right time and combination of songwriter colleagues to turn into reality. It seemed to me that songwriters, while bearing the torch of kindling the sparks of the music that drives the industry, are often in the shadows. As professionals, we tend to be reflective, creative, and unless we are performers, sometimes solitary. This means that we do not often get the chance to network, make friends among colleague songwriters, and share our work—something that makes for inspiration and growth in any craft. In addition, I felt that all songwriters, new and veteran, could benefit from playing our songs with each other and taking inspiration and feedback back to the woodshed to hone our work. Finally, I felt such a group could raise awareness of songwriters and their songs, bring additional educational workshops to IBMA, and help raise the bar for the quality of bluegrass songwriting and awareness of the role of original music. The mission statement, which was circulated among interested songwriters and presented at the business meeting on September 27, reflects all of these goals.

The magic and momentum needed for a grass roots effort happened spontaneously at a dinner get-together after the Songwriter Showcase in 2005. Names were circulated on a paper napkin (much the way many songs start!) and I began networking through phone and email throughout the year to gather ideas about a possible songwriter association. Spearheading the effort with me were Lisa Aschmann, Mark Simos, and Tony Rackley, with input from many others along the way.

Working with IBMA, we were able to reserve a special room for songwriters removed from the larger convention. This allowed us to have a home base, and a quiet, intimate listening setting with an informal atmosphere. Attendance was superb, with full circles of songwriters (10 to 12 per circle), and up to 70 additional listeners at each event. When the room was not in use for the Song Circles, writers sometimes gathered stop and or co-write. The Song Circles were facilitated by Louisa Branscomb, Lisa Aschmann, Tony Rackley, and Mark Simos. Each group included several invited guests. This year’s guest songwriters were Laurie Lewis, Dixie Hall, John Pennell, Becky Buller, and Brink Brinkman, All songwriters in the room were able to participate and sing at least one composition, depending on how many attendees were present.

The “chill factor” was huge!! You were likely to hear a fresh, formidable first composition by talented young players such as Hannah and Benjamin Brown, back to back with a song you’ve comd to love by veteran Larry Cordell, with a bit of bluegrass philosophy on the side!. A swing song might be followed by a hard driver, then a spiritual a capella, then a coal minor ballad, making for an incredible, even transformative listening experience. Backgrounds and geographical roots were diverse—writers hailed from Washington to Florida to Michigan to New York—the feeling of camaraderie and mutual respect exceeded our highest expectations. Old relationships were rekindled and new connections, including some co-writing relationships, were born

The first official “business meeting” took place on Wednesday. The meeting was facilitated by the original steering committee and open to all. Present were Louisa Branscomb, Mark Simos, Thom Case, Tony Rackley, Chris Stuart, Lucas Brown, Hannah Brown, Benjamin Brown, Jerry Salley, Dan Keen, Lisa Aschmann, Nelson Mandrell, Debbie Durant, Olivia Branscomb, David Peterson, Linda Dawson, Caroline Isachsen, Kelly Kessler, and John Pennell. After reading the mission statement and discussing the events and progress of the group, the following suggestions emerged:

The Song Circles were a resounding success, with consistent positive feedback from all. The format of the circle with no mic and a listening area was effective.
More song-circles, or concurrent song circles, are needed
The “melting pot” effect and camaraderie were a special bonus
The atmosphere of respect, listening, and intimacy was very valuable, especially to writers who are not “virtuoso” players and/or had never played their songs
Having long-term well-known writers join in added inspiration and validation to all, with the chance for mentoring relationships and learning from the “masters”
The emphasis on creativity and exposure of the song are a useful adjunct to current IBMA offerings in the area of songwriting

The consensus of the group was to go forward with an open, voluntary, constituent-based group, keeping the Song Circle as the basic format for next year. There is no “fee” or entrance criteria except to be a member of IBMA. In addition we hope to refine our offerings by adding some mentor/educational discussions following the Circles, to have concurrent circles to accommodate more writers, and to invite artists to come to selected times to talk briefly about what kind of material they are interested in. Of course, artists and publishers are invited to all the groups, but we hope to keep the emphasis on creativity, sharing, and the excellence of the song, adding the “business” aspects at designated groups only. At present, we are keeping the format of a steering committee, adding two new members this year. Several long-term writers have offered to host specific “Discussion Forums,” again, keeping things in an open but informal format.

Written feedback included comments such as: “This was awesome. I never thought I could do a song in front of experienced writers before and I felt totally accepted,” “Great community effort,” “Do it again next year!”

All-in-all, it was an inspirational, productive kick-off to a group with great possibilities for songwriters and the bluegrass community. The Steering Committee would like to thank everyone who joined in for turning a dream into a reality! A special Thanks to Jill, Nancy, and Dan for impeccable support from IBMA. Stay tuned for special events in 2007!

For more information, contact the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA.org)

Louisa hosts one of the Song Circles at IBMA.

Joining in are Laurie Lewis, Dixie Hall and Heather Berry.