Back in 1999, when I had only been writing songs and going to open mikes for a few months, I met and befriended a wonderfully talented songwriter named Laine Henderson. She had been performing around the New York area for three years, which, of course, seemed like an eternity to me.
One night, I went to see Laine perform at the New York Songwriters Circle, a long-running series at the classic Bitter End in the Village, modeled after the famed “Writers in the Round” series at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. I was amazed — this was the place where, apparently, where stars like Vanessa Carlton was discovered and where, since then, Norah Jones, Jesse Harris, Lisa Loeb and Gavin Degraw have showcased. I was in songwriter heaven…though I also realized that truly talented, amazing songwriters who you’re absolutely, positively sure should be big stars because they are so fantastic are, unfortunately, a dime a dozen.
Over the past decade, the New York Songwriters Circle has continued to prosper — these days it’s positively a brand name, with outposts in cities like Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles as well as an annual songwriting contest. My buddy Anna Dagmar just played there last week (so sorry I missed it, Anna…)
I chatted (virtually) with the hostess-with-the-mostest of the New York Songwriter’s Circle, Tina Shafer, about the Circle — it’s past, present, and future:
Q: You’ve been at this a long time…how did you get started with the NYSC, and what keeps you inspired and motivated to continue doing it after all these years?
A: I got started 19 years ago, as a songwriter who had written for Celine Dion, Sheena Easton, Donna Summers, etc…I was performing at a few circles. The host that was running it (Randy Michaels) asked me to take over because she was moving to Nashville. I have been running it ever since. What keeps me going is the endless, amazing variety of talent that I find. There is always great content out there!
Q: Any changes you’ve seen in the songwriter landscape after nearly two decades?
A: Yes, changes for the BETTER. As the old business model is failing based on greed and keeping songwriters and artists in the dark, The New York Songwriters Circle enlightens , educates and provides opportunities to writers. We are all writers that run it, so we really have a keen sense of what is needed out there. We have expanded our showcases into Boston, Philly, Chicago and LA and we are an established brand of music, so people really know what they are getting when they come to see our artists. We also run a “Loft series” the last Tuesday in every month here in NYC, which provides artists with top industry speakers to educate them on topics from booking, publishing, licensing to vocal care. Those have become hugely successful. Finally, we have our annual Contest, which is going on now. Kate Voegele, Company of Thieves and Mieka Pauley are some of our past winners. This year legendary writer John Oates is offering a spot in Aspen to perform with him at his series for our grand prize winner. Prize and cash is over $25,000 plus a top of the line Gibson Guitar!! Not bad!!
Q: What are the biggest differences you see between performing songwriters and songwriters who work behind the scenes?
A: Usually, it’s the comfort of performing that comes into play and also, some amazing writers don;t possess a great voice, but in my opinion, none of that matters if the songs are great. I mean, look at Dylan for example!
Q: Do you still write regularly? How do you typically work as a songwriter?
A: I do work and teach writing and voice every day. I love to teach and teaching helps me learn. I am presently writing my third record though it gets pushed onto the back burner with running the company, and raising a family!! I always write with a pad of paper. I am old fashioned in that way.
Q: Your proudest moments in the NYSC?
A: There have been so many magical nights, but I think the one I remember the most goes back to when Siedah Garrett told us the story of how she and Glen Ballard got “Man in the Mirror” to Quincy Jones and then to Michael Jackson. It was such an amazing story, because she and Glen were not really big time writers then.. They had taped the cassette to the door handle of Quincy’s car. Of course, he had to open his door and he thought is was so clever, he listened to the song. The rest is history and when she sang that song at the circle (which is one of my favorites) it just brought the house down. It showed every writer out in the audience that there is a creative way to get your work out there and if it is great work, it will get heard.
Q: Your favorite independent songwriters these days on the circuit?
A: Um…Amy Kuney, Ruut, John Schmitt, Caleb Hawley, Liz Longley….they are all on our first “best of CD” volume I.
Q: What should songwriters do if they’d like to submit to the NYSC in any of the available cities?
A: Every song gets listened to by an amazing team and myself of course, they just need to submit to the website http://www.songwriters-circle.com that’s it! If it’s something we love, we always call and right now, they would also be considered for the contest!
