Greetings All!
It's been a long time since I've released any music, and that's heavy on my mind. This newsletter shares a few things I'm aware of for us songwriters. Please feel free to share with me other resources out there we should all know about.
and... Happy Valentine's Day! ~ Tim
*** Reminder: One Love! Reggae Open Mic Theme in Honor of Bob Marley's Birthday!
Mon. Feb 3 @ Porter Belly's ( a lively night, 7:30- 11:45pm )
Wed. Feb 5 @ Ward 4 ( a beautiful room, chill vibe, 6:30 -10pm )
hosted by TIMKO https://bostonlovesmusic.com/open-mics
> ON SONGWRITING (because I love songwriting)
*** The Boston Chapter of NSAI - (Nashville Songwriters Association) is run by Terry Kitchen and Stan Lyness (who'll you'll know from both Porter's and Ward 4 open mic, (plus countless others). They meet approximately once a month, typically on the last Wednesday from 7pm to 10. Folks share songs they're working on to hear constructive feedback, and occasionally discuss the craft or business of songwriting. About 4 meetings a year are in-person at First Evangelical Lutheran in Waltham and the rest are online Zoom meetings. For details, go to https://coolsongs.us/nsai/ . Click "calendar" to view sign-up, join the mailing list and see further meeting info.
*** Nashville Songwriters Association is the mothership of NSAI . It has a membership and a lot of resources. ...cut to the chase... this video comes from the NSAI { https://vimeo.com/event/4821175/54519a6604 } "Paul Sikes - The Evolving Songwriter" ...here Paul shares his journey to becoming a professional songwriter. It can be found on the "Weekly Workshop" series of the NSAI website. https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/ .
*** Listen Up! Originals Only Open Mic
An open mic night for songwriters. Originals ONLY, no covers!
Every 2nd Tuesday! Next one... Tue Feb 11th
8:30 pm | 21+ | Free
at Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Boston, MA 02130
For more info: www.instagram.com/listenupsongwriters/
*** SAVE THE DATE!! Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA)
November 6 – 9, 2025. Annual Conference, at The Desmond Hotel, Albany, NY https://nerfa.org/
NERFA is a sort of branch off the Folk Alliance International. They hold an annual conference and do a few other things throughout the year. The conference is meant to connect musicians, songwriters, organizations, industry, radio, managers, agents, venues, and do-ers in the Northeast Americana music. You'll probably get a better feel of what NERFA is via their YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@NERFA
Here's a link to a video I've listened to twice so far. Granted, it is a bit dated from the Covid days, but the insight of these professionals is eye opening and a good example of what NERFA has to offer. It features the exclusive panel of industry vets, Biff Kennedy ( Charter House Music Group https://biffco.com/ ), Sarah Atkinson ( Soundbox Music https://soundboxmusic.ca/ ), Kari Estrin ( https://www.kariestrin.com/ ), and Berklee's Ralph Jaccodine ( https://www.ralphjaccodine.com/ )
> HAPPENINGS
*** Community Calendar
If you're playing a gig, let us know by filling out this form and we'll add it next newsletter. This is available to those on our mailing list.
https://bostonlovesmusic.com/gig-submissions
| Artist Name | Gig Date | Venue Name | Venue City | Start Time | End Time | Cost | More Info |
| The Nick Haddad Trio | Sat, Feb 1, 2025 | Jimmy Ds | Franklin | 8 pm | 11 pm | No cover | Were back! |
| Teen Coffee House | Sun, Feb 2, 2025 | Follow Your Art Community Studios | Melrose | 3pm | 5pm | free | https://www.fyamelrose.org/fyaevents/ |
| Teen Coffee House | Sun, Feb 2, 2025 | Follow Your Art Community Studios | Melrose | 3pm | 5pm | free | https://www.fyamelrose.org/fyaevents/ |
| Cold Car | Sat, Feb 8, 2025 | POSTPONED! | |||||
| TIMKO | Sat, Feb 8, 2025 | City Streets | Waltham | 8pm | 11pm | free | |
| Thom G. & Ace | Sat, Feb 8, 2025 | The Biltmore Bar & Grill | Newton | 8 pm | 11 pm | No Cover | With special guest appearance by Larissa Glass |
| TIMKO | Fri, Feb 14, 2025 | Lookout Farm | S. Natick | 6pm | 9pm | free | |
| Digit Parka | Fri, Feb 14, 2025 | Common Craft | Burlington | 5:30 | 8:30 | free | with friends |
| Ukuladies Boston | Sat, Feb 15, 2025 | The Burren | Somerville | 11:30am | 1:30pm | $15.00 | https://www.facebook.com/events/556640863964941 |
| Thom G. & Ace | Sat, Feb 15, 2025 | Hearth Pizzeria | Needham | 6 pm | 8 pm | No Cover | With special guest Larissa Glass |
| TIMKO Open Mic Host | Thu, Feb 20, 2025 | Knights of Columbus, 2nd Flr Pub | Melrose | 7:30 | 10:30 | free | Open Mic at this Charitable Organization. Admission FREE, but please make purchases. |
| Pair of Aces Duo | Thu, Feb 27, 2025 | Hearth Pizzeria | Needham | 6 pm | 8 pm | No Cover | Ben Shparber & Ace team up for a sure fire, winning hand of rock n roll fun! |
| TIMKO | Fri, Feb 28, 2025 | Tessie's | Waltham | 8pm | 11pm | free | |
| Teen Coffee House | Sun, Mar 2, 2025 | Follow Your Art Community Studios | Melrose | 3pm | 5pm | free | https://www.fyamelrose.org/fyaevents/ |
| TIMKO & Co. | Fri, Mar 7, 2025 | City Streets | Waltham | 8pm | 11pm | free | |
| Side Hustle | Sat, Mar 8, 2025 | Bolton Street Tavern | Marlboro | 9 pm | 12:30 am | No Cover | |
| TIMKO & Lucky Fun | Sat, Mar 15, 2025 | Tommy Doyle's | Newton | Lunch | Lunch | free | St. Patty's Celebrations |
| TIMKO & Lucky Fun | Sat, Mar 15, 2025 | Mick Morgan's | Sharon | Evening | Evening | free | St. Patty's Celebrations |
| Side Hustle | Sat, Mar 15, 2025 | Jimmy Ds | Franklin | 8 pm | 11 pm | No cover | Friendliest Bar in eastern Mass! |
| TIMKO & Lucky Fun | Sun, Mar 16, 2025 | Tommy Doyle's | Newton | Lunch | Lunch | free | St. Patty's Celebrations |
| TIMKO & Lucky Fun | Mon, Mar 17, 2025 | Black Rose | Boston | 9am | 10am | free | St. Patty's Celebrations Breakfast!!! |
| TIMKO & Lucky Fun | Mon, Mar 17, 2025 | Mick Morgan's | Sharon | Evening | Evening | free | St. Patty's Celebrations |
| TIMKO Open Mic Host | Thu, Mar 20, 2025 | Knights of Columbus, 2nd Flr Pub | Melrose | 7:30 | 10:30 | free | Open Mic at this Charitable Organization. Admission FREE, but please make purchases. |
| TIMKO & Co. | Fri, Mar 21, 2025 | Lookout Farm | S. Natick | 6pm | 9pm | free | Mooo |
| The Allertones Trio | Fri, Mar 21, 2025 | Waterfall Bar & Grill | Canton | 8 pm | 11 pm | No Cover | Larissa & Thom G. dig deep and pull out some deep cuts you havent heard live in years. |
| The Acemakers | Sat, Mar 22, 2025 | The Lodge | Randolph | 8 pm | 11 pm | No Cover | 34 seat, rectangular bar with great, late night menu |
| TIMKO | Sun, Mar 23, 2025 | Donohue's Bar & Grill | Watertown | 5pm | 8pm | free | Sunday Funday! |
| TIMKO & Co. | Fri, Apr 11, 2025 | Tessie's | Waltham | 8pm | 11pm | free |
> OPEN MICs, (Hosted by TIMKO)
*** Mondays at 7:30pm
at Porter Belly's Pub, 338 Washington St., Brighton, MA 02135
*** Wednesdays at 6:30pm
at Ward 4, 277 Auburn St, Newton, MA 02466
*** Thursdays at 7:00pm
at KofC (Knights of Columbus) 23 W. Foster St., Melrose, Hosted by TIMKO (3rd & 5th), Mark T (1st) ., Johnny O.(2nd & 4th)
More info at: www.BostonLovesMusic.com