Melissa, and anyone else cnsidering going to Frank Brown. Last year, I volunteered to work the lunch service at Florbama almost every day. And I worked the doors most nights; ALL night (from 7pm till closing) The days i was not scheduled to work the lunch service, I still showed up, and every day I was put to work. It was an AWSOME time!!! I met so many hit writers I can't begin to name them all. I got to talk to them at lunch and at the evening performances. I even went to one of the guitar pulls across the street. The Florbama has an open mic there every afternoon from around noon to 4pm. I was able to at least listen to all of them. And even though the open mic's are mostly entry level guys like me, some of the hit writers would use that venue to practice for their scheduled evening shows. I was able to do 3 or 4 sets, and even was on stage with a girl from Nashville on one of them.
So, what I'm trying to say is, if you REALLY, REALLY, want to "hang" with Nashville hit writers in a very relaxed casual atmosphere, FBISF is THE PLACE to do that!! For 10 days and nights!!
The only other venue I know of is the Durango Songwriter Festival in Colorado, where everybody; Writers, A&R, publishers, are all in the same hotel resort in the middle of the mountains for a weekend. I got to meet publishers, Ralph Murphy from ASCAP, hit writers, record producers,. and got to have drinks with them. BUT, it is COLD in Durango in October! And it SNOWS!
As of right now, I WILL be at FBISF for the full 10 days. Actually, I will be there probably starting that Moday, because there will be a volunteers meeting that week, a special dinner for us, and the local writers will kick the FBISF off starting at least on the 6th. PLUS, Cathy will host her Monday open mic. OH, ALSO OD, if you work the Florbama doors at night, you get 2 free $3.00 drink tickets per night! Their Bushwackers are VERY potent,and with $3.00 off... Oh Yea!!
phil g.