Interview with Luke Laird

In a recent interview, songwriter Luke Laird shared insights into his journey from Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania to the top of the country charts.


Read the full article here.

Brittany, Barry Dean, Luke Laird and me at October's Songbird Camp

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

Seminar @ Belmont

Last week Gordon Kennedy and I spent an hour with Belmont students, singing songs and telling stories. Basically, we had a mini Songbird Camp experience!


 

 Check out more photos from the seminar here.

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

Songbird Camp - Spring 2012

Just a reminder that we are currently accepting applications for our April 20-22 retreat, which we're hosting at Deer Run Retreat.

Popular singer-songwriter Matt Wertz and veteran songwriter Gordon Kennedy (Eric Clapton's "Change the World"), among other industry professionals, will be stopping by throughout the weekend to share their experiences and music. We'll also hear from an incredible recording engineer, an entrepreneur, publishers and an expert on collaboration -- more details on those to come!

If you're interested or you know someone who would be a great candidate for the retreat, be sure to apply soon, as we have fewer than 30 available spots, and we want you to get the early bird special. Gourmet food by a private chef, a comfy bed, inspiring people, time with industry pros, live music around the campfire, American Apparel T-shirts -- what more could a songwriter want?

Click the picture below to go to the Songbird Camp website and download the application to apply. 

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

B+

 
Believe me...I'm all about doing things right. My personality is an INTJ, which basically says that I can put my stock in the idea that there's a concrete way to do something: my way.

But at Songbird Camp, I had the realization that maybe every song doesn't have the potential to be perfect. Maybe I'm not expected to finish each day with a masterpiece. Maybe the idea of perfection is the enemy of an attempt at authentic art.

Steve Longbrake (pictured), who led the discussion on personalities and collaboration, said that his personality tends to make decisions quickly. "B+ is good enough," he said. To my personality, this doesn't jive. But I did realize that sometimes it's best to let a song be a B+ and just move on.

The first night of the retreat someone asked Luke Laird when he decided a song was finished. I expected him to talk about how often he works days and days perfecting the lyric or melody, but he simply answered, "At the end of the day."

If we spend all our time trying to make a B+ song an A, we may never get around to writing the A+ songs.

Keep writing (and moving on),

Ben

Songbird Camp - In the Round

Here's a shot from the recent Songbird Camp. What a great weekend it was!

Songbird Camp Group Photo

We had an incredible weekend, hearing from hit songwriters Luke Laird, Barry Dean and Gordon Kennedy. Here is a video of the lodge on Saturday afternoon:



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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

Songbird Camp Today!

We are thrilled to have a full crew of almost 30 people staying at Deer Run Retreat's lodge this weekend. Industry guests include hit songwriters Luke Laird, Barry Dean and Gordon Kennedy, along with representatives from all three PROs.

Visit Facebook.com/SongbirdCamp for photos and updates over this weekend. If you're interested, keep on the lookout for the application for our next Songbird Camp retreat, which will be taking place April 20-22.

Keep writing,

Ben

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

SongbirdCamp.com 2.0

I'm proud to announce the new and improved SongbirdCamp.com!

Publisher Stacey Willbur

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

Songbird Camp on BMI.com

I am incredibly excited to have BMI involved as a sponsor of Songbird Camp. They have gone above and beyond in their support, even putting us on their main homepage:



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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

Talking with Gordon Kennedy

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

Mike Zeller on Unplugging

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

SongbirdCamp.com is Now Live!

I am very, very excited to officially announce the first ever Songbird Camp, happening June 24-27 just outside of Nashville, TN. I am also thrilled that, in addition to other industry professionals, my mentor (and multi-Grammy-award-winning songwriter) Gordon Kennedy will be dropping by at the retreat. We only have 30 spots available, so don't wait! If you are an aspiring songwriter, we want YOU at Songbird Camp.

Please check out the site and forward it on to other songwriters!