Second annual Ferriday song writing workshop a success

By Special to The Democrat | The Natchez Democrat

Published Sunday, November 8, 2009

Ferriday — It felt like the day after Christmas as attendees and hit songwriters dragged their bags and guitar cases through the lobby and out the door of The Grand Soliel. Unlike the night before, people were quiet and subdued, letting the Sunday-morning letdown settle in like a dreary winter afternoon. Saturday night’s Yin was replaced with Sunday morning’s Yang and everyone went back from whence they came — Texas, Tennessee, Alabama and more.

But attendees at Ferriday’s second annual songwriters’ workshop on Oct. 24 were going back home armed with critiques of their songs, suggestions, new ideas and new friends with whom they could share ideas, write more music and work on becoming the best songwriters they can be.

Everything from rhyming words to creating demos to networking with other writers was discussed.

“I would rather you say, ‘sickness’ instead of ‘cancer,’” said songwriter Tia Sillers to an attendee who wrote a song about dying. “It becomes universal to anyone who’s sick,” she added, “…not just to someone with cancer.”

In addition to Sillers, other professional songwriting instructors included Odie Blackmon, Byron Hill, Mark Selby and Tommy Polk.

Workshop participants also learned about resources in this area that are available to help them learn and record. Tipitinas Foundation in Alexandria, La. offers internships, music workshops and other programs for musicians. Nashville Songwriters Association International has a chapter in Alexandria, as well.

“I cannot say enough about how impressed I was with the Songfest,” attendee Cathy Pittman said. “It was awesome. I’m already looking forward to next year.”

Coming on board for next year’s Songfest will be assistance from Louisiana Economic Development, which is working to expand the cultural economy and create new opportunities for artists and musicians.

Louisiana Music Director Lynn Ourso presented Polk with an official state resolution declaring 2010 the Year of the Song in Louisiana. Ourso shared news about what Louisiana is doing in economic development through music and entertainment.

Under the direction of LED’s entertainment division, the Louisiana Music Commission has established state recording tax incentives to support Louisiana musicians and promote the state’s music industry.

The Sound Recording Investor Tax Credit program provides a tax credit up to 25 percent of qualified production and infrastructure expenditures for state-certified sound recording projects.

In addition to the workshop, Ourso is excited about Ferriday’s plans to rebuild the former train depot on First Street into the Ferriday Music Hall, which will be used for flea markets, arts shows and reunions and musical events.

The workshop was capped off with an open-mic session at The Grand Soliel hotel in Natchez. Workshop attendees and instructors, alike, played original songs and swapped stories and ideas.

“Not to beat a dead horse, but this year’s Songfest was unbelievable,” said Taylor Craven, a returning attendee from Ocean Springs. “Take a bow, Tommy. You deserve it.”

Sponsors for the event included the Louisiana Lt. Governor’s Office of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, the Delta Music Museum, Entergy, KFNV Radio, Bryant Hammett and Associates, Chris Cavette, Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin, First Natchez Radio Group, Country Boy Mark Porter and Solid Gold Saturday Night, the Ferriday Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Ferriday.

For more information on the Ferriday Songfest, visit www.ferridaysongfest.com