Plenary: Songwriter Session – Don’t Just Tap Your Foot, Tap Your Creativity Presented By: Gary Burr Musician, Songwriter, Producer Nashville, TN Don Henry Singer, Songwriter Nashville, TN Jim Phtoglo Singer, Songwriter Nashville, TN Victoria Shaw Singer, Songwriter Nashville, TN Presented at: ACLEA 53rd Mid-Year Meeting January 28th – January 31st, 2017 Nashville, Tennessee Gary Burr Musician, Songwriter, Producer Nashville, TN “…But the guitarist always writes the songs…” That’s what they said in Gary’s first band. So, following in the footsteps of his heroes John Lennon and Roger McGuinn, a writer was born. After years of hard work and hard writing, he got his first break in 1982 with Juice Newton’s “Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me.” With a hit under his belt he started writing in earnest, getting cuts from such talents as the Oak Ridge Boys and Conway Twitty. After a brief time on a solo career and album, Gary took over for Vince Gill as the lead‐singer for the band Pure Prairie League. In the late 80’s, feeling that he’d done all he can from Connecticut, Gary decided to move to Nashville, and a better move is hard to make. It didn’t take long for Gary to become one of Country Music’s most sought‐after writers, having hits with Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Patty Loveless, Garth Brooks, and many more. Burr has been awarded ‘Songwriter of the Year’ on three separate occasions by three different organizations: Billboard, Nashville Songwriter’s Association International, and ASCAP and has written 14 Number One songs. In 2005 Gary was inducted into the NSAI Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors that a songwriter can ever achieve. With his successes in Country Music, Gary’s ventures in Pop have been equally stellar. He has written and performed with Ringo Starr, appearing on VH1’s ‘Storytellers’ series and many talk shows. He had a world‐wide hit with Ricky Martin’s duet with Christina Aguilera “Nobody Wants to be Lonely,” granting him his first #1 on the Latin charts. Gary garnered a #1 on the pop charts with his collaboration on the platinum selling single “Before Your Love” by American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, and a #1 selling single with American Idol runner‐up Clay Aiken’s song “This Is The Night.” Gary wrote and toured with Pop writing legend Carole King performing all over the world as part of her Living Room Tour. Gary’s latest adventure could be the wildest of all: forming the trio Blue Sky Riders with Kenny Loggins and Nashville singer/songwriter Georgia Middleman. Their first CD, Finally Home, was co‐produced by the band with Peter Asher and released in January of 2013, with a second CD currently in production. http://www.garyburr.com/ https://www.facebook.com/gary.burr.735 Don Henry Singer, Songwriter Nashville, TN Grammy Award winner Don Henry's songs have been recorded by legends like Ray Charles, Patti Page and Conway Twitty; by country crooners like Gene Watson, John Conlee and B.J. Thomas; and by young hit makers of today like Blake Shelton, Lonestar and Miranda Lambert.....and the list goes on. He’s shared the stage with performers as diverse as Joey Ramone and Keith Urban. The wit and wisdom of Don's songs are widely renowned whether it's campfire favorites, like the hilarious "B.F.D." and biker lullaby "Harley", to the wonderfully poignant tribute to Martin Luther King "Beautiful Fool", and of course his Grammy Award winning country classic "Where've You Been". In addition to a Grammy, Kathy Mattea's version of "Where've You Been" won Don (and co‐writer Jon Vezner) song of the year honors from ACM (Academy of Country Music), CMA (Country Music Association) and NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International). "Where've You Been" was the first song in country music history to be awarded all four honors in the same year! www.donhenry.com https://www.facebook.com/henry.739 Jim Phtoglo Singer, Songwriter Nashville, TN In the early 80's, Jim Photoglo had 2 Top 30 Pop hits: We Were Meant To Be Lovers and Fool In Love With You. Meanwhile, other artists enjoyed successes with his songs including Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Michael McDonald, The Everly Brothers and Alabama. He scored 2 #1 singles including The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's signature song, Fishin' In The Dark. He also sang backup and played bass with Carole King, Dan Fogelberg, Vince Gill, Wendy Waldman and Nicolette Larson, and co‐founded the cult‐classic Run C&W, a band that played classic soul music with bluegrass arrangements. Since 2000, Jim has released 4 critically acclaimed solo albums. Sparks In The Radio (2005), Is It Me? (2009), and Halls Of My Heart (2014) all had extensive play at Folk Radio. Halls Of My Heart contained the #1 most played song in August of 2014 (#25 for the year), as well as 2 more in the Top 20. It was the #3 most played album (#35 for the year) and he was the #4 most played artist. Is It Me? and Halls Of My Heart have both been nominated for Grammys. www.jimphotoglo.com https://www.facebook.com/jimphotoglomusic/ Victoria Shaw Singer, Songwriter Nashville, TN Hit Songwriter Victoria Shaw has had her songs recorded by artists as diverse as Garth Brooks to Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera. Victoria is the recipient of an Academy of Country Music award for song of the year, two daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Original Song, 4 Emmy nominations, numerous ASCAP and SESAC awards and a CMA award (for producing Lady Antelbellu). Victoria is also an artist in her own right with her albums available online everywhere music is legally sold. www.victoriashaw.com www.instagram.com/victoriashawmusic www.facebook.com/https://www.facebook.com/The‐REAL‐Victoria‐Shaw‐musicfriend‐page‐ 123602027687272/ NOTES ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ .