Thursday Thoughts

>>NSAI and CMT will partner again to present the 12th Annual NSAI Song Contest. The annual event starts Aug. 1 and runs through Oct. 31, 2011. Aspiring songwriters in any genre are encouraged to send their best songs to be judged by a panel of experts, and a new Lyric-Only category has been added this year. The Grand Prize includes a mentoring session with songwriter/musician/industry icon Charlie Daniels!

A grand prize winner will be named, plus a Lyric-Only winner and a CMT Listener’s Choice Winner. The entry fees are $35.00 (Current NSAI members) and $45.00 (Non-Members) per song submitted. Songwriters may submit as many songs as they would like, but the preceding fees apply to each song submitted. Entries will be accepted from August 1 until October 31, 2011. For details on submitting songs as well as the official prizes and rules & regulations go to www.nsai.cmt.com.

>>RPM Transportation Consultants has moved from Brentwood to Music Row, 1101 17th Ave. S. The company which designs bicycle lanes and contributed to the Music Row roundabout, has 12 employees in the new location. RPM President Bob Murphy told the Nashville Post, “Our new location on Music Row brings us closer to our clients than ever before. With innovation and sustainability part of our mission statement, we now have better access to public transportation and bike routes for travel to and from the office. What better way to continue work on Nashville’s transportation future than to be here in the heart of the city?”

>>New industry career group, the Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) began last January to help members of the industry network, and has grown to over 700 members by organizing mixers and educational events. YEP is headed by Executive Director/founder Andrew Cohen. “We hold mixers and showcases for young, up?and?coming talent [at venues] around town such as Tin Roof, Roosters BBQ, The Gold Rush, etc. as a way for people to develop one on one relationships with similar people who are looking to make their mark in the industry,” explains Cohen. YEP’s Board includes ten directors from various labels, publishers and other companies. “Our events are open to anyone,” says Cohen. “The next YEP mixer, will be held in tandem with the successful Whiskey Jam series at Winner’s Bar on Monday, August 22nd at 6pm. Visit the “Young Entertainment Professionals – Nashville Network” group page on Facebook for more information on upcoming events.