Third Annual Songwriters Festival and Concert

The Seminar
Saturday, May 31, 11:30am-5:30pm
at Hudson Opera House. 327 Warren Street

An all-day seminar for musicians and songwriters. Seminar, song critiques, panel discussion and Q&A. Learn from these talented professionals. Sessions will include song critique and Q&A.
• Jeff Silbar, composer of the Grammy-Award winning song "Wind Beneath my Wings"
• Paul Leka, writer of the #1 hits "Green Tambourine" and "Na Na Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" and producer of the #1 hit "Cats In The Cradle"
• Paul Rapp music business lawyer and drummer of the band, Blotto
• Michael Eck, singer/songwriter and critic for the Albany Times Union
• Jeff Zahn, music supervisor for TV and film
• John Powhida of the Boston band, The Rudds
• Marc Black, long-time singer/songwriter who can be heard on many jingles and television series

Aspiring songwriters and music artists will have an opportunity to pick the brains of established professionals and hit songwriters. The day features song critiques for all attendees; panel discussions on the music business and the craft of songwriting; an extensive Q&A session where attendees can get answers to their questions about the craft or the business; a live performance by the guest hit songwriters, along with background discussion about how the songs were written and their history. Attendees are encouraged to meet the pros and network with other local songwriters, and to share local opportunities for performance, recording or exposure with their peers. Admission for the all-day event is $50, which includes the individual song critique, panel and evening performance. Light refreshments available.

Admission: $50/Sign up before May 15 and save 10% - ticket price would be $45. Includes the day-long seminar and evening concert

The Concert
Saturday, May 31, 8:00pm
at Basilica on Front Street in Hudson

Featuring songwriters from the seminar and hit songmakers to be announced.

The Songwriters Festival is a concert featuring the hitmakers performing their hits, along with the stories behind the hits. "It's always a revelation to hear a writer perform their own song," says Sandy McKnight, producer of the event, and a noted songwriter and producer himself. "You may have heard the song a thousand times, but suddenly you can hear it with fresh ears, the way the writer originally conceived it.

The hit writers will represent all genres of music, from rock to pop to R&B to country, and even musical theater. This year, aspiring songwriters will share the stage with hit songwriters, and have a rare opportunity to showcase their work for a concert audience. All attendees who buy an all-day ticket are welcome to perform in the evening show.

$25 at the door. $20 for teens and seniors