Why would you want to be a member of the NC Songwriters Co-op? That’s easy! Where else can you hang out with all those good-looking people with cool guitars! (Or maybe it’s cool people with good-looking guitars…I’m never quite sure.) Besides that, there are a couple things we do that may just help you succeed as a Performing Songwriter:

CORE PROGRAM:
We offer the following regularly scheduled events in support of songwriting craft, performing skills and musician community:

Three monthly Open Mics in different locations:

• Chapel Hill: 1st Tuesday, The Cave, Host: John Saylor
• Raleigh: 2nd Friday, The Royal Bean, Host: Rog (rhymes with lodge) Bates (co-host: David Bultman)
• Durham: Every 4th Wednesday, Broad Street Café, Host: Doctor Oakroot

Updates to this schedule as well as listings of other area Open Mics can be found at: http://www.ncsongwriters.org/openmics

Song Doctor Workshop: 1st Sunday in Durham, 5:30 PM
Bring a song and get immediate feedback from “The Song Doctor”, Dr. Kirk Ridge and your fellow songwriters. For details, check here: http://www.ncsongwriters.org/songdoctor or send an email to songdoctor@ncsongwriters.org.

Live Music Lab: 2nd Sunday in Raleigh, 2:00 PM
Practice working with a PA and get feedback on your songs, arrangements and performance. For details, check here: http://www.ncsongwriters.org/livemusiclab or send an email to livemusiclab@ncsongwriters.org.

Co-op Artist’s Page: You are entitled to be listed with your fellow Co-op members on the NC Songwriters Artists Page. We will link this listing to your website, MySpace page or provide a way for people to get in touch with you via email (at your option).

Coop-Scoops: A news blog with regular membership mailings to help you keep up to date with the Co-op core and extended programs.

NC Songwriters News List: A news list where you can post your gigs and share news with the Co-op membership.

Self Promotion: Members are entitled to place a business card size ad on the Marketplace page to promote their products or services of interest to other songwriters.


EXTENDED PROGRAM:

Annual Songwriting Contest: 2009 marked the 12th Annual NC Songwriting Contest. Keep an eye on the NC Songwriters home page for news on this year’s contest.

Songwriters Showcase Events: We regularly have performance stages at the Eno Festival, the Carrboro Music Festival and other venues to provide larger-audience performance opportunities to members who have progressed to this level in their musical careers. These programs vary from year to year and will be posted on the home page and in Coop Scoops as schedules are set.

Face-to-face Gatherings: Part of the basic Co-op program is a chance to get together with a larger group of members to socialize, jam or just listen. These are scheduled one at a time and we seek to vary the location to include the most possible members. Watch the home page and Coop Scoops for announcements of Co-Op face-to-face events.

The extended program can include anything you bring forward to add. All you need is a good idea and a willingness to help us put together a program. We can provide logistical, financial and volunteer assistance to make your idea successful.