Songwriter Rounds

When we first came to Nashville, I had no idea what a songwriter round was. I bet 90% of musicians in Ohio have no idea what a round is. Three years later, and I say "round" many times a day, I attend "rounds" almost every night and I schedule "rounds" constantly. 

A songwriter round is two or more people on stage for a set time limit. They go back and forth and sing their original songs (hence the word round). Sometimes it's an actual circle and they go a"round". But mostly it's facing an audience. I've learned a lot since we've started. 

First of all--nobody likes watching a musician fumble around, tuning, plugging in and out, setting up etc when they get up on stage. We the audience would like it if you'd be ready to go when your foot hits the stage. Rounds are on a time schedule, don't forget.

Second-- We want to hear your songs, not your story of why you wrote it. A lot of time there's a long introduction to each song and honestly the audience isn't really interested in where you were when you wrote it, what the weather was like that day and what you had for lunch. We want to feel the story, visualize the story while you're singing it to us. Maybe it's not the correct story in our minds, or another's idea, but that's what music is about..personal interpretation right?  I mean, if you have to explain the song, it's lost its magic already. 

Third--When you're invited to a round, it's not only because we want to hear your music, it's also because we want to meet you, we want you to hear all the other performers music and we want to connect. I schedule for our two rounds every week and there's something very disrespectful about an artist breezing in 2 minutes before they are scheduled on stage and jumping off, packing up and rushing back out the door. I'm sorry to be blunt, but your music isn't that good that the whole show was about you. The hosts put a lot of time into running the rounds, making fliers, scheduling, promoting and setting up and tearing down. It would be very nice if you came early or stayed afterwards, ordered a drink, talked a little to the other songwriters who are waiting to perform. Just basic manners. 

Fourth--No matter if the song is good or bad, the songwriter is in tune or not, it takes a lot of courage to get up in front of an audience, even if it's just an audience of 2 or 3. I've heard my share of not so pleasant songs and singers, but there's no way I could get up there on stage with everyone looking at me. So, to all the audience members-clap and smile when the song is done, say "good job" when the show is over, because if it was easy-we'd all be on that stage, right? 

Fifth--Not all rounds are created equal. Even at my age (50's) there are still cliques! Makes me sad that we didn't grow out of our cliquey high school days. Unfortunately, there are many, many rounds that won't allow just anyone a chance to perform. Bobby and I had a hard time finding places for him to play when we first came to Nashville. And still don't get into a lot of rounds. We decided a long time ago, that we'd help anyone who asks. Good, bad, indifferent all songwriters are welcome on our stages. We'd love to give you a chance to perform! We just ask that you follow a little bit of basic respect for the hosts, the venue and the other performers. 

Musicians, songwriters, singers... basically are all here for the same reasons... to be heard.

So next time you get invited to perform at a round:
1. Come early or stay after and listen to the other performers, talk to them, network, say hi and thanks to your host.
2. Get up on that stage as if you were playing Madison Square Garden, ready to give it your all!
3. Limit your song introduction to just the title and who you wrote it with. Let us, the audience interpret your song and feel it. I promise if someone really liked it, they'll ask you about it when you're off the stage. (Happens all the time to Bobby) 

We'll see you at the next "ROUND"