Workshops

INFORMATION BELOW TO BE UPDATED...
check back for info and details on 2008 (to be held on March 15) in January.

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Calling all songwriters! The Plowshares weekend of music will again include workshops on songwriting craft and business, as well as the songwriting contest finals showcase and also a preview concert (new this year!). The weekend is Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31.

RSVP to reserve a spot, or email inquires to plowsharesmusic@yahoo.com.

Plowshares Workshops
Saturday, March 31, 2007, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Phoenixville PA

11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Steel City Coffeehouse
SongCraft: GETTING STARTED. Finding Titles and Hooks, Writing Choruses with focus on melody, rhythm and hook. Jump start the creative process by generating material using some easy exercises. Then allowing a chorus to develop from basic musical instincts leading the way. Be prepared to "walk your song," and allow your instincts to guide you to merging melody with lyrics.
Presented by Erik Balkey w/ Iain Campbell Smith
$25 registration ($40 for both SongCraft and SongBiz workshops)

1:30-2:30 p.m.
Lunch break at Steel City Coffeehouse (lunch not included in fee)

Saturday March 31, 2:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the Plowshares Coffeehouse
SongBiz: CARVING YOUR OWN PATH. Merging your own personal artistic mission with a career as a songwriter. Defining your mission, finding your niche, finding your audience, marketing your skills. No two artists have the same mission or "reason why." Be creative and open minded to discover your personal mission, then be creative to find a way to make it part of a personally rewarding life balance.
Presented by Erik Balkey w/ Iain Campbell Smith
$25 registration ($40 for both SongCraft and SongBiz workshops)


A little bit about our guests this weekend.

Jonathan Byrd (North Carolina). Truly one of the finest American writers on the road today. He has plenty of accolades which are testament to his successful blend of the deepest roots of American music into his contemporary songs. He combines some very fine flatpicking with lyrics to knock you out and a vocal presentation that is agile and refined without losing the downhome charm. He's a true link in the chain of the American songwriter and is not to be missed. jonathanbyrd (dot) com.

Iain Campbell Smith (Washington DC). He's got the attitude of a punk rocker, and he brings his own personal outlook to his sometimes political, sometimes personal commentary. He's got a unique outsider's view (he's from Australia) and he sheds a unique light on American topics with humor, sensitivity, anger, satire and wit. He's a man on a journey, with a story to tell. iaincampbellsmith (dot) com.

Carsie Blanton (Phoenixville). Now residing in Phoenixville (from Virginia by way of Oregon). Carsie has become one of the hottest local names in quite a short time. She's young, but she writes music that defies her years. She'll charm you with her youthful spirit, playful lyrics, flirtatious phrasing, and finessed vocal inflections, but her songs are timeless and wise. Watch out because they pack a punch and will be dancing in your head long after you've heard her sing. carsieblanton (dot) com.

Erik Balkey (that's me, from NJ) writes too many songs.
I have studied songs as a part of my passion and desire to communicate and touch with lyrics and melody. I travel the country frequenting festivals and songwriter gatherings while seeking out places to perform on my own. I've co-written songs with a couple dozen of the best American songwriters that you probably don't know. And, I've recently dabbled with the idea of writing custom songs on commission. I also paint houses and love baseball.