Songwriters’ Workshop
October 2009. Nashville Songwriters and Musicians, Thom Shepard, Jillia Jackson and Will Rambeaux gathered at The Constitution Convention Museum State Park in Port St. Joe to discuss the art and business side of songwriting. Topics included the craft of songwriting, the music business, and songwriting as a career and music production, followed by a critique for participants.
The well-attended workshop attracted over 40 attendees from the Northwest Florida region. The writers discussed their personal experiences in the business and illustrated how an idea can become a song, with their guitars! After an informal question and answer session, participants were invited to have the audience listen to recorded examples of their work or perform live. The songwriters critiqued three talented bands and six soloists from ages 12 to 65. GALA sponsors and coordinates the workshop in conjunction with the Blast on the Bay Songwriters Festival.
Will Rambeaux really hit pay dirt with his first cut as a songwriter in 1993. Recorded by Warner Brothers artist Faith Hill, “Wild One” took the country charts by storm staying at one for four weeks and breaking all records for a new female artist. He then had a pair of back-to-back one songs for country crooner John Michael Montgomery, the first one, “How Was I To Know”, followed by “Hold On To Me”. He has also had several other Top 10 singles, including “Nobody Gonna’ Rain On Our Parade” (Kathy Mattea) and “Can’t Get Enough” (Patty Loveless) and his songs have been recorded by such diverse artists as Dolly Parton, Hal Ketchum, Jo Dee Messina, Trick Pony Tammy Cochran, Lee Greenwood, Danielle Peck and Ronnie Milsap. Will’s songs have also garnered many BMI “Most Performed Songs of the Year” awards, as well as several BMI “Million-Air” awards. More recently, Will has been dividing his time between song writing and record producing. He has recorded four albums for singer/songwriter Sherrie’ Austin, “Words”, “Love In The Real World”, “Following A Feeling” and “Streets Of Heaven” which have yielded many chart singles including “Lucky In Love”, “Put Your Heart Into It” and “Never Been Kissed”.
Thom Shepherd is a songwriter and performer from Nashville, Tennessee, whose songs have been recorded by Tracy Lawrence, George Jones, Trailer Choir, Montgomery Gentry, Pam Tillis, Buddy Jewell, Kevin Fowler, and Cledus T. Judd. He is the writer of the number 1 hit single, “Redneck Yacht Club,” from Craig Morgan’s GOLD certified album “My Kind of Livin’.” His first number one was “Riding with Private Malone,” recorded by David Ball.
Jillia Jackson spends her days in Nashville writing songs, recording, and performing live. Blending traditional country, bluegrass, and commercial song writing with a modern eclectic edge, Jillia has quickly found her place in Nashville, TN. A country vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, Jillia consistently delivers the energy of a trained professional in her live show while managing to harness an organic creativity in the recording studio. Drawing influences from Loretta Lynn, Alison Krauss, Don Williams, Alan Jackson, and Hank Sr. among others, Jillia’s sound attempts to fuse old country with a contemporary and original tone. For complete bios on all participating artists go to www.blastonthebay.com.
Will Rambeaux really hit pay dirt with his first cut as a songwriter in 1993. Recorded by Warner Brothers artist Faith Hill, “Wild One” took the country charts by storm staying at one for four weeks and breaking all records for a new female artist. He then had a pair of back-to-back one songs for country crooner John Michael Montgomery, the first one, “How Was I To Know”, followed by “Hold On To Me”. He has also had several other Top 10 singles, including “Nobody Gonna’ Rain On Our Parade” (Kathy Mattea) and “Can’t Get Enough” (Patty Loveless) and his songs have been recorded by such diverse artists as Dolly Parton, Hal Ketchum, Jo Dee Messina, Trick Pony Tammy Cochran, Lee Greenwood, Danielle Peck and Ronnie Milsap. Will’s songs have also garnered many BMI “Most Performed Songs of the Year” awards, as well as several BMI “Million-Air” awards. More recently, Will has been dividing his time between song writing and record producing. He has recorded four albums for singer/songwriter Sherrie’ Austin, “Words”, “Love In The Real World”, “Following A Feeling” and “Streets Of Heaven” which have yielded many chart singles including “Lucky In Love”, “Put Your Heart Into It” and “Never Been Kissed”.
Thom Shepherd is a songwriter and performer from Nashville, Tennessee, whose songs have been recorded by Tracy Lawrence, George Jones, Trailer Choir, Montgomery Gentry, Pam Tillis, Buddy Jewell, Kevin Fowler, and Cledus T. Judd. He is the writer of the number 1 hit single, “Redneck Yacht Club,” from Craig Morgan’s GOLD certified album “My Kind of Livin’.” His first number one was “Riding with Private Malone,” recorded by David Ball.
Jillia Jackson spends her days in Nashville writing songs, recording, and performing live. Blending traditional country, bluegrass, and commercial song writing with a modern eclectic edge, Jillia has quickly found her place in Nashville, TN. A country vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, Jillia consistently delivers the energy of a trained professional in her live show while managing to harness an organic creativity in the recording studio. Drawing influences from Loretta Lynn, Alison Krauss, Don Williams, Alan Jackson, and Hank Sr. among others, Jillia’s sound attempts to fuse old country with a contemporary and original tone. For complete bios on all participating artists go to www.blastonthebay.com.
