Success Stories
Julie Moriva- Green Bay Wisconsin
by Marc-Alan Barnette

Julie Moriva is one of my favorite writers. For the past two years, she has worked closely with me in creating a path to advance her songwriting skills and then introduce them to the music industry in Nashville. Julie is the Green Bay coordinator for Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and also a member of Songwriters of Wisconsin International (SOWI) chapters. 

MAB: What was your experience with Nashville prior to participating in my tours?
Julie: As coordinator for 12 years with the Green Bay NSAI and a member of SOWI, I had attended many wonderful events.      Symposiums and workshops gave me a basic working understanding of much of the way Nashville functions, but I felt frustrated because I didn't know how to take my work to the next level…or even what the next step was. That's when I met Doak Turner, who told me about you.

MAB: You have been great about listening to what is needed to be successful and have made several of the right moves…both with and without me. How did you go about doing this?

Julie: The first step was to work with you which helped me understand where I was in the spectrum of the music business and gave me tangible things to do to "up my game." You didn't sugar coat anything, and are very honest. I love how you don’t just tell what’s wrong but also point out ways to fix the problems.  Our first job was to find my best songs and list them in order. Then work on improving them and making them great songs.

MAB: Can you tell us some of the key things you learned?

Julie: One of the biggest things is how important socializing or networking is to get your foot in the door. The music industry people expect you to make an effort to be involved with the community. Other workshops I attended didn’t emphasize this in the way you have for me. Meeting people with you gave me credibility when it came to letting the insiders know I was serious. This is something I could not have done on my own.

MAB: Do you believe physically being in Nashville has been important?

Julie: Definitely. Being a less experienced writer means you are expected to bring the idea to the table, which is Nashville. The “product” better be GREAT. You better be prepared to think at a whole different level. That’s almost impossible to do without being here and meeting and interacting with people face to face.

MAB: Was there one pivotal moment you felt on track?

Julie: Being admitted to the ASCAP advanced writers group was a huge step for me. It was very challenging and opened up a TON of new networking opportunities. Chad Green was a great mentor in that respect.

MAB: Did you feel overwhelmed?

Julie: I still do! However, with every writing appointment, session, trip, and get-together I improve. I’m also getting very good at doing the Nashville “eating” tour! But seriously, I think feeling a little nervous is a good thing for me. I’m improving with each experience.

 
MAB: Let's get back to the steps you took to get where you are today. After our first session, what did you do next?

Julie: I began to critically analyze my existing material, and kept about 5. Then I worked with you to expand on the 5 songs by developing new material. You helped me analyze and look at things from the inside of Nashville…something I hadn't thought of before. Things like how to avoid weak rhymes, ideas and overused hooks. Once my material and ideas were developed, I looked for co-writers who were good melodically since I am more of a lyricist.
    From there, we came up with a three-pronged game plan. First, was the social aspect. You were great with introductions even though at first it was difficult to remember names or recognize important people (See Embarrassing Moments later!), but I realized it was up to me to continue the relationships.      

The second prong was co-writing. I never realized how important the co-writing aspect was. I always just thought co-writing was an occasional thing done in Nashville. After spending some time in Nashville, I realized that it is an INTEGRAL part of success. This is especially true since I don’t actually live in Nashville. If you don't live here, having someone doing your songs and making their own contacts helps immensely. You [Marc-Alan] proved the “Kevin Bacon six degrees of separation” theory is alive and very important in Nashville, Tennessee!
    The third prong is the quality of demos. Developing a GREAT working relationship with Jay Verne gave me a window into the studio process, which had an effect on my initial writing process. If you know how it is going to sound coming out, you make sure everything is in its place going in. Planning what you do in the studio, right down to being quiet so the musicians can do their jobs, the importance of the singers and having musicians (as well as who they are), and paying attention to such details as having enough lyric sheets is so important.

     Presentation is everything in such a competitive industry. This is the part of the game you can control. First you have to have a great song and then present it with a great demo, even on the most basic guitar / vocal.

MAB:  Now, would you mind sharing your most embarrassing Nashville moment? 

Julie:  Sure, since it was a great lesson for me. We were at the Harlan Howard birthday bash and it was very crowded. You had introduced me to writers and perspective writers in town for me to write with, along with several of your friends. We were chatting with one fellow with a baseball cap on and you simply said, “Julie, I’d like you to meet my friend, Phil.” A few other people caught your attention, so Phil and I continued chatting. He asked me about the Packers and other small talk. I asked him, “So, do you write, Phil” and he answered, “Yeah, a little” and I asked, “Do you play, too” and he said, “Yeah, a little piano now and then”. Well, you overheard me and, with your back still to me, you leaned over and whispered, “Julie, that’s Phil VASSER you’re talking to.”  Yeah, I know I need to get my issue of Music Row – “Who’s In Charge” and watch a little more CMT…I’m on it, Marc!

MAB: So, now that you have some great demos, great songs and developed relationships with great co-writers. What’s left to do now?

Julie: "Writing up!" Something else I learned from you. Having you introduce me to Jimbeau Hinson was another pivotal step. He showed me how the “big boys” think going in. When he writes there is not much rewriting because he gets it right the first time. Jimbeau is very methodical in that aspect. It was so important to find people who complemented my strengths and weaknesses. For me it was very important to find people located in Nashville who play and sing. I don't do writer’s nights, so I have to find others who can represent me.

MAB: Before your big showcase, you were able to make about 20 visits. That’s something most people can’t do. What else can you suggest for those who can’t visit Nashville that often?

Julie: Having my monthly NSAI and SOWI meetings in Wisconsin kept me active and motivated. Also, keeping in touch with the contacts I make while in Nashville is essential. So being involved in any music endeavors
in your own communities would be a starting point.  

I strongly recommend being involved in a local songwriting group. If there isn’t one in your community, start one! NSAI has been instrumental in developing these all over America and offer many great opportunities. Since not everyone can come to Nashville, we brought Nashville to our group by having you and others like Jerry Vandiver and Steve Seskin come to conduct workshops. These workshops are a big shot in the arm for keeping members excited and moving forward. I think it is so important that people understand it is an ongoing process to keep learning, improving and building on what you’ve accomplished so far. You’re NEVER finished.     

Marc-Alan Barnette  and  the SOWI group during Julie Moriva’s  CD showcase at 3^rd & Lindsley in, Nashville, Tennessee

MAB: How did you go about making your CD, “Reckless,” and holding your showcase here in Nashville?

Julie: I critically studied all my songs, honing in on the best ones for the project. You helped me find the ones that would showcase my catalog to the best advantage. I put 14 on my CD and did it very professionally. I made sure all the songs were ready and all the demos were the best they could be… all the while, tweaking those things that needed to be tweaked. Jay Verne and you were great with the technical end of that. Everything from producing to pressing…you helped it all work!
     The contacts I had made over my many trips to Nashville were invaluable when it came to putting on the showcase. Top quality singers and players played my music at a first rate venue – “3^rd & Lindsley” – and I believe the showcase really gave testimony to all the hard work and preparation that was laid down over the last two years.

     I also brought 15 members, and several spouses/children, of my NSAI / SOWI groups for a 4-day personal workshop and tour with you. We met with industry people, held co-writing sessions with Nashville writers, pitched to artists, and even recorded a song from one of our members as a part of the studio experience. And of course, for me, the showcase was a huge part of that whole weekend. 

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