SAMI's President, Nicky Rood has announced that she will be coordinating a series of songwriter rounds at GLM Live (1624 Main Street, Lafayette) this year. These Bluebird Cafe inspired showcases will feature SAMI's top songwriters in this intimate venue. A large sum of ticket sales will contribute towards funding the annual SAMI scholarships for young writers. Our next show is June 25th at 7:30pm, featuring Jeff Anderson, Amanda Fletcher, Hunter Rayne, and Joe Peters. Mark your calendars now! There is limited seating, and tickets will be sold at the door for $20 on a first come, first served basis.

Congratulations to Our 2016 SAMI Scholarship Winners!

Shirley Martin Scholarship - Tori Rosa Terrible Liar

1st Runner-up - Gibson Wells Mr. Stranger

2nd Runner-up - Jessica Thomson I'll Write a Song

Mike Lane Horizon Award - Kierra Brooks A Country Girl's World

Honorable Mention - Hunter Patterson Are You Missing Me.

  

 Tori Rosa: Shirley Martin Scholarship Winner

 Gibson Wells: 1st Runner-Up

 Jessica Thomson: 2nd Runner-Up

 Kierra Brooks: Mike Lane Horizon Award

Hunter Patterson: Honorable Mention

Congratulations To This Year's Winners Who Placed In The Shirley Martin Scholarship For Young Songwriters Contest!!

 

 

Shirley Martin Scholarship - Tori Rosa Terrible Liar

1st Runner-up - Gibson Wells Mr. Stranger

2nd Runner-up - Jessica Thomson I'll Write a Song

Mike Lane Horizon Award - Kierra Brooks A Country Girl's World

The judging focused on many song components including melody, chord progression, song structure, rhythm, meter and lyrics. Entries were judged on songwriting abilities, not performance capabilities.

The First Place scholarship winner will receive a $500.00 cash prize to be used to help them in their songwriting endeavors. First Runner-up will receive $300, Second Runner-up will receive $200, and the Horizon Award winner will receive $100.  There are perks for all of the top promising songwriters including constructive feedback on their songs and opportunities to perform. 

This year’s winners will be performing their songs and accepting their awards on Tuesday, May 10th, 7:00 pm at the Tippecanoe Arts Federation building (TAF), 638 North Street in downtown Lafayette. Refreshments will be available, and the event is free and the public is welcome.  Come and help us celebrate!

Applications Are Now Being Accepted!

2016 Shirley Martin Scholarship for Young Songwriters

 “A scholarship for the advancement of young songwriters”

Who- The Songwriters Association of Mid-north Indiana (SAMI)

What- Currently accepting applications for the 2016 Shirley Martin Scholarship for Young Songwriters, which includes the special Mike Lane Horizon Award. This scholarship and award exists for the purpose of developing, recognizing and supporting area youth in the advancement of their songwriting skills.

Who Can Apply- Candidates must be between the ages of 14 and 19 at the time of application and be a permanent resident of one of the following Indiana counties to apply: Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Howard, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Warren and White.

When- Applications being accepted until April 1, 2016.

Winner Will Receive: 
1. $500 cash award to be applied toward the Shirley Martin Scholarship winner’s education, a musical instrument or other songwriting-supporting endeavor.  Other cash awards for runners-up and the Mike Lane Horizon Award.
2. Performance opportunities.
3. Local publicity.

How and Where to Apply:
Apply online or download a printable application, or write to:
The Tippecanoe Arts Federation
638 North Street
Lafayette, IN,  47901

 Distribution: Winners will be notified on or before May 2, 2016.

For additional information email Barrett Myers at heybarrett@gmail.com

November News and Announcements

NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Holiday Party! We will have our annual holiday gathering next month.  You are encouraged to bring a finger food or beverage, and of course, a song to share.  This will also be a time for the annual White Elephant Gift Exchange.  This fun little activity involves wrapping up some kind of unwanted, possibly re-gifted, or ridiculously useless item, and playing a game of gift exchange.  This item should be of the low-cost or no-cost variety.  Each person wanting to participate should bring 1 wrapped item.  The meeting will be on our regular 3rd Tuesday of the month (December 15th) at 7:30pm, so be sure to mark your calendars now!

  

Music and Memory: The Indiana Veterans Home has a relatively new program called,  “Music and Memory.”   Music Therapist, Charis Vander Plaats explained that many veterans that have Alzheimer’s or dementia can instantly make connections through music. If you are interested in performing songs, helping to create ‘playlists’ for these veterans, or just finding out more on this exciting program, contact Charis Vander Plaats at charisvanderplaats@msn.com.

Unitarian Universalist Church Art Fair Music: The UUC is holding its annual art fair on Friday & Saturday, December 4 & 5 at the UUC Fellowship Hall, 333 Meridian Street, West Lafayette.  UUC is looking for musicians, singers, performers to play in the Fellowship Hall, where much of the art is displayed, from 5-9pm on Friday, 10am-4pm on Saturday.  Each set would likely be about 45 minutes; any kind of acoustic music is fine, it does not need to be Christmas music, but seasonal music would be nice.  A sound system will be provided.  There is no pay for performers, but there would be a chance to sell CDs (70% to performer, 30% to UUC).  Please contact Joe Peters (joedaiwarriors@yahoo.com) if interested.

RECENT CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOP:

The TAXI Road Rally in Los Angeles: SAMI members that went to this year’s Road Rally were, Bette Anderson, John Lacy, Joe Peters, Gilbert Gordon, Briagha McTavish and Neil McTavish. The conference features top music industry people giving break out classes and panels on various topics.  The main objective might be boiled down into “How do you get your music placed with artists and music libraries for film and TV.”  

Gilbert Gordon had a particularly successful experience and shared that his instrumental tune was played for Music Supervisor, Chas Ferry and accepted into his library!  Congratulations Gilbert!  What a great first time trip to the Road Rally!

Joe Peters also attended TAXI Road Rally this year.  Joe shared two of his songs on Open Mic stages, and interestingly to Joe, his song Low Down Funky Mood really seemed to connect with listeners this year.  A highlight for Joe all three nights was the Collaboration Room, where a revolving cast of characters shared mostly original songs, and much jammin occured.

Be sure to ask one of these SAMI members to talk about their experiences in Los Angeles. I'm sure there are fun stories and good info to be shared.

The First Annual CD Baby DIY Music Conference in Chicago: Cheryl and Amanda Fletcher came back with tons of ways to monetize online streaming and web presence, plus collecting various royalties for your songs.  This conference was focused on, “Now that you have your recordings, (CD’s or singles) uploaded onto CD Baby, here are the ways to make money from it.”  One of the most exciting topics had to do with monetizing YouTube and micro sync licensing.  Like the TAXI Road Rally, it was amazing to have 1,500+ musicians and artists in one place sharing and learning from one another. The information, inspiration, connections, and camaraderie made this conference one to attend next year!

The 21st annual Lamb's Retreat for Songwriters was held November 5-15, 2015.  It is held every November at the Birchwood Inn, Harbor Springs, Michigan.  Joe Peters went to week 2, and totally enjoyed the experience, the camaraderie, the songwriting, songs, songwriters, song circles.  In short, this retreat is all about the song!  On the first day, director John Lamb gives every attendee a songwriting challenge/prompt, and the morning of the last day is devoted to the sharing of each of these brand new original songs.  This year’s staff included: Joel Mabus, Laurie McClain, Claudia Nygaard, Pierce Pettis, Edie Carey, Tim Grimm, Natalia Zukerman, SONiA disappear fear, Penny Nichols, WT Davidson, and more. Since this retreat is open to all songwriters, their friends and family, wouldn’t it be fun to arrange to have a group go next November?

Member news: 

Scott Greeson and Trouble With Monday will have various shows utilizing various configurations of their band members.  Be sure to catch one of their shows.  Also check out the band and current info at scottgreesonmusic.com:

December 13th at 3:00 pm  Annual Battle Ground Christmas Concert @ The Battle Ground United Methodist Church, 201 Tipton Street, Battle Ground, IN 47920. 

December 17th from 4:00pm-7:00pm at the Indianapolis Airport Commons. 

December 19th Christmas with Scott Greeson and Trouble With Monday @ The Eye Opener Cafe at 8:00am,103 North Street, Battle Ground, IN 47920.

Joe Peters will perform at Fuel Coffee Shop, 1005 Main Street, Lafayette from 6-8pm on Monday, November 28th.  This is a laid-back little coffee shop, thus a great listening room.  Joe will share a set of songs from his new CD, Big Fat Liar, and encourages the audience to build a second set song list from Joe's other recordings.  The event is free.

Joe will also perform sometime during the UUC art fair.

The Delphi Opera House Reopens!

Nicky Rood entertains while opera house patrons admire the newly renovated building and prepare for the fundraising activities during the Musical Chairs Benefit.  Nicky had the privilege of being THE first to entertain in this historic, beautiful venue in Downtown Delphi, Indiana.

Mike Byers hosts the live auction to help purchase the Delphi Opera House Chairs.  As each increment of $150 was raised, another chair was placed in the theater.  For an events listing and more info: http://www.delphioperahouse.org/events

 

SAMI's Co-President, Nicky Rood, First to Play at Dephi Opera House

Nicky Rood will be the first to host and perform at the newly renovated Delphi Opera House Saturday, September 12th at 7:30 pm.  

This Musical Chairs Benefit will help raise money to complete the renovation of the 100 year old Opera House and furnish it with the chairs needed.  There will be live auctions, food, a cash bar, and of course music by Nicky.Tickets can be purchased online at: www.delphioperahouse.org. To find out more about Nicky and her music, check out: www.nickyroodmusic.com

NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS from the August SAMI meeting

2016 TASTE of Tippecanoe submissions deadline to perform is September 10^th at 5:00 pm. For more info, check out TAF’s website:  www.tippecanoearts. Come on SAMI, let’s make our presence known at next year’s TASTE.  Get those applications in!

The Delphi Public Library is now booking for the 2016 Coffee Beats.  This fun gig is held in the old library that has been renovated.  There is no need for a PA and you are assured a local audience.  There is a modest budget for performers, and they offer beverages and snacks during performances. If you have questions or want to book, contact Portia Kapraun, Adult Services Librarian, Delphi Public Library, 222 E. Main St., Delphi, IN 46923.   Phone: 765.564.2929 or: http://delphilibrary.org

These dates need to be filled!

January 16

February 20

March 19

April 16

June 18

July 16

August 20

September 17

October 15

November 19

December 17

Prophetstown’s Butterfly 5K Run to Benefit Camp Angel for Grief Stricken Children:  Join us on August 30th at 4:30pm, at the large pavilion in Prophetstown State Park in Battle Ground, as SAMI provides the music for this event. Proceeds benefit Camp Angel which provides a supportive environment for children ages 6 -16 to share their feelings of loss and grief with other children and caring adults. For those SAMI members that have signed up at this past meeting, there will already be a PA system.  Musicians need only bring their instruments and a cable to plug in.  The rest will be done for you.  Also, the gate fee will be waved for any performing musicians by letting the gate attendant know that you are performing.  For more information about the Butterfly Run, check out : http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/sp-Prophetstown_FunRun.pdf

2015 Indiana Bacon Festival of Carroll County in downtown Delphi is this Saturday, August 29^th from 11am to 10pm, featuring "Bacon, Bands, & Brew."  Be sure to catch the 5:30pm entertainment on the Main Street Stage with Scott Greeson and Trouble with Monday.

Prophetstown Country Fair is set for September 5^th.  Lauren Reed is organizing the musical entertainment for a county fair for Labor Day weekend at the campground.  She assures us that the crowds will be large and this is a paying gig.  If you are interested in performing there, contact Lauren directly ASAP to see if there are still entertainment slots open: grillmaster2010@gmail.com

CD Baby’s first-ever DIY Musician Conference Oct. 23-25, 2015.  It would be fun to have a group of SAMI people at this conference! Tickets are now $79 for the full weekend http://diymusiciancon.com held downtown on Michigan Avenue at the Congress Plaza Hotel congressplazahotel.com.  There are special discounted hotel room rates of $149 per night, and you can reserve when you register online as well.  If you are interested, and want to share a ride, contact  cher_fletcher@yahoo.com to see about carpooling.  So far we have 2 SAMI members confirmed going!

CD Baby's DIY Musician Conference will take place Oct. 23-25, 2015. Focused squarely on the needs of today's independent artist, the DIY Musician Conference will consist of keynotes, panels, breakout sessions, meet-and-greets, showcases, and one-on-one consultations where artists work intimately with CD Baby and other industry professionals.

The goal is to help you further your musical career, from how to add names to an email list to how to maximize download and streaming volume. We want you to walk away inspired and armed with actionable tools to better tell your story, book more gigs and reach your fans.

To find more info on this event: diymusician.brownpapertickets.com

August SAMI Meeting

Tomorrow is the 3rd Tuesday of the month which means that it is time for our August SAMI song sharing meeting.

We will be meeting at 7:30 pm at TAF in the room next to the kitchen.  Find out how you can book the Dephi Public Library 2016 Coffee Beats, and sign up for a performance slot on August 30th at Prophetstown.  Information for other performance opportunities, plus plenty of time for song sharing at this month's meeting.

If you would like to share a song, we suggest that you bring 10-15 copies of your lyrics to pass around.  We are always eager to hear new songs and get inspired from one another. Supporting and growing songwriting is what SAMI is all about.

Hope to see you there!

SAMI at Riverfest!

This Saturday from 9-4 is Riverfest.  If you've never been, you can click here to see what it is all about.  SAMI will be playing live music all day.  Here is the schedule of performers:
 

Riverfest 2015

9:00- 9:35am - Lee Anna Atwell

9:40- 9:52am – Cheryl Fletcher

10:00- 10:25am – Tori Rosa

10:30- 10:52am – Charlie Davis

11:00- 11:25am – Erin Clouse

11:30 – 11:52am – Jacinda Chapman

Noon – 12:50pm – Mike Longcor

1:00 – 1:50pm – Greg Jones

2:00- 2:50pm – Lee Anna – in the round?

Come out and support our performers.  Hope to see you there!

"It's All Good!" for SAMI Members

The Tippecanoe Arts Federation presents the 34^th Annual TASTE of Tippecanoe THIS Saturday, June 20, 2015 from 4PM until midnight. Downtown Lafayette and the Depot Plaza come alive FOOD, MUSIC, FIREWORKS, AND FUN; featuring 32 local food & drink vendors, 19 bands on 3 stages.

There are several SAMI members playing! Check out the schedules for the various stages:

Nicky Rood at 4-4:45pm at the Depot Stage (2nd & Ferry St) 

Amanda Fletcher at 4-4:45pm at the Market Stage (4th & Main St)

Scott Greeson and Trouble with Monday at 6:30-7:15pm at the Crossroads Stage (3rd & Columbia St)

Jeff Anderson at the Depot Stage at 8:15-9pm (2nd & Ferry St)

Come on out and support the Arts and your local songwriters!

To find out about the Taste and to get a complete schedule of performers:  http://tasteoftippecanoe.org

SAMI Awards Night 2015

Congratulations to our winning young songwriters! 

Left to right: Lacey Lawson, Tori Rosa, Erin Clouse. 

(click on photo to go to photo gallery)

 

Announcing the 2015 Songwriting Scholarship Winners!

Judging Results:

Shirley Martin Scholarship - Kelsey Patton, Perfectly Beautiful

1st Runner-up - Victoria Lawson, Falling Gracefully

2nd Runner-up - Tori Rosa, Don't You Worry About Me

Mike Lane Horizon Award - Erin Clouse, Indiana Home

The judging focused on many song components including melody, chord progression, song structure, rhythm, meter and lyrics. Entries were judged on songwriting abilities, not performance capabilities.

The First Place scholarship winner will receive a $500.00 cash prize to be used to help them in their songwriting endeavors. First Runner-up will receive $300, Second Runner-up will receive $200, and the Horizon Award winner will receive $100.  There are perks for all of the top promising songwriters including constructive feedback on their songs and opportunities to perform. 

This year’s winners will be performing their songs and accepting their awards on Tuesday, May 12th, 7:00 pm at the Tippecanoe Arts Federation building (TAF), 638 North Street in downtown Lafayette. Refreshments will be available, and the event is free and the public is welcome.