A showcase for the ages – Columbus Songwriter’s Association 2016 Finale

By Ryan G

Over the past few years, Tuned Up has enjoyed a friendship with several members of the Columbus Songwriters’ Association, an entity that has blossomed into one of the largest songwriting networks in the country. CSA head honcho Joey Hendrickson has proven himself to be one of the tireless hustlers in the industry, from my observation, and I’ve gotten to meet some of my favorite independent artists via the group’s introduction.

Following another landmark year of songwriting and fellowship in Columbus, Ohio – the CSA is having a finale event at the upscale music venue Notes. I sadly cannot attend, but undoubtedly camaraderie, some fun and emotive tunes, an all-star cast of musicians and guest judges (more on that later) and a friendly spirit of competition will make up the atmosphere this coming Sunday afternoon (December 4th).

Recently the CSA’s head of publicity, music lover and writer Michelle Holzworth, sat down with some performers at this event to gather some thoughts and also put on paper her impression of the event for the community. We thought it worthwhile to share. Read more below and check out the show December 4th, at 2pm at Notes/Copious in Columbus Ohio if you feel so inclined.

Local Songwriters Share Their Latest Journeys (by Michelle Holzworth)

With the CSA Finale Showcase coming up on December 4th, at Notes, I took the opportunity to catch up with songwriters who performed at CSA’s previous Finale Showcase in March 2016, which packed more than 300 audiences in a new, underground music venue in Downtown Columbus. CSA invited friends in the music industry, Jerry Depizzo from OAR, George Schwindt from Flogging Molly and 26F Publishing, and Barbara Cloyd from The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. This year, CSA is bringing in Barbara Cloyd again, but also Betsy Brumley, Chairman of the I’ll Fly Away Foundation who is launching a songwriters festival in Bentonville, Arkansas in Summer 2017.

“It’s a musician’s reunion to some degree,” said Anthony Mossburg, a down-to-earth, full-time songwriter who has had multiple charting songs over the last five years. After performing in every Finale Showcase put on by the Columbus Songwriter’s Association, he knows what an opportunity it is to participate in this event. He recently launched his album, Crazy, with three songs he refined from audience feedback at monthly CSA showcases throughout the year.

“It’s not a competition,” Anthony went on to say. “There’s nothing that sets me against anyone else. It’s just about whether or not what I do on stage connects with people. It’s cool to see these opportunities come to life, whether it’s you or somebody you know…and you want that to go as far as it can for them. There’s a ton of different stuff. This year will be just the same.”

The same amount of variety, energy, and talent, that is. As for what will be different in this December’s Finale Showcase, that comes down to the judges CSA brings in. One is still being kept a surprise.

Carole Walker, a runner-up from CSA’s March 2016 Finale Showcase, talked about the gravity that the panelist feedback had on her as a songwriter: “Judges do the critiques. These people are tough, have been in the business, and have been successful in their music careers. What you realize is they are here to have a conversation with you about your art in a way that could help you be more creative, and help you provide a life for yourself and your family (while) doing music.”

When asked what she felt after becoming a finalist in the March event, Carole took a deep breath, and said, “I felt validated…even though there was this gut-wrenching feeling with me quitting that job, it all made me feel very much like, yes, I know that I am on the right track… I have something to share.”

2 years ago, Carole left her job at a bank to dive heart-first into songwriting. It was a life changing experience for her. As she put it, “I think I let go of what wasn’t working so that the things that were actually working could grow.” She described the effect that the positive reception at CSA’s previous Finale Showcase had on her pursuits as a full-time musician: “I was able to use the new energy and confidence to reach out and do more touring. I felt like I could bring my friends back to Columbus and bring them to CSA events. I met musicians who helped me move the EP Bloom forward.”

One of the youngest performers to hit the stage, Maya Mougey, 14, felt CSA’s Finale Showcase helped her realize she had a genuine affinity for songwriting that was and is well worth exploring more: “I always thought of myself as a little bit lower than everyone else, and not just my height. I just saw everyone else in CSA as really great songwriters, so to know that I actually can write songs and I am able to play with other people as good as them was really inspiring. That’s when I knew I wanted to keep on writing. After I won, I just wanted to keep going.”

One of the prizes — 20 hours of free recording at John Schwab Recording Studios — enabled Maya to finish her CD, Beautiful Days, which is currently on iTunes and Spotify. “That experience really taught me a lot,” she said. Maya now plans to visit LA and Nashville music scenes with the hope of learning about the local industry, expanding her work, and seeing where it takes her, all while finishing high school. She looks forward to participating again in this December’s Finale Showcase, December 4th at Notes.

“I’m not going to put my expectations too high on where I go,” Maya said, “but, I’m just excited to hear the feedback on my new songs. They’re a little different from my older ones. I’m excited to hear from the audience who haven’t been to a lot of the CSA Showcases, and get in touch with them again.”

Carole, too, cherishes this event as a time to reconnect with friends, share excitement, and exchange ideas. “Just being around people who will fight for you doing your thing will get you psyched. There’s not a lot of places with that, but CSA has it.”

This ‘it’ factor goes beyond a reunion with fellow songwriters, and Anthony is especially aware of the unexpected opportunities that come up during these events: “Every time you meet someone in the music industry, you never know what that could lead to.” In his case, he met someone who had a licensing company in Canada, who wound up placing one of Anthony’s songs in a Canadian television show. “New people meeting new artists is never a bad thing,” Anthony concluded. “It’s good for everyone to get exposure.”

These talented artists and many other excellent songwriters are lined up to play in CSA’s 2016 Finale Showcase, 2-5PM on Sunday, December 4th at Notes (below Copious, 520 South High Street). To be a part of the energy that shapes the work of these local musicians, buy your tickets online. Seats will be limited, and the memories will be endless.