Billboard (May 30th 1998)

Songwriters Take The Stage

[edited extract]

Networking is a key reason for new writers to perform at writers nights. Songwriter Even Stevens describes the move to Nashville as being part of the freshman class. As you progress, you move up with the rest of the class.

Blake Shelton recently signed a writing deal with Gosnell Music and a production deal with Sony/Tree. He says that some of the songs that helped him get those deals were songs he wrote with people he met at writers showcases. "I would absolutely recommend that new writers do writers nights," he says. "That's how I met the person I write the most with, Rachel Proctor."

Shelton and Kosser concur on one writers-night dilemma. "If you have a song with a neat hook, you might not want to do it because you're afraid that someone may pick up on it," Shelton points out.