Workshops and 2x4s

The Professional Development Workshop series, organized by Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present, Future, launched in 2022 to offer resources for artists to help move them forward in their career. Workshop topics include music technology, business, networking, and professional development. We have invited guest speakers and panelists to lead these workshops, as well as offer demos and interactive experiences to attendees.

In our first year, we hosted 4 workshops on Sunday afternoons in the Beachland Tavern with discussions around crafting Artist Bios, EPKs, Professional Rights Organizations (PROs) and Marketing and Advertising as an Independent Musician. These workshops were also live streamed through our Facebook and YouTube pages for those who couldn’t attend in person.

Workshops

In 2023, we’ve expanded our Professional Development series to include 2×4 Songwriter Showcases, all housed in the newly renovated Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd). 

  • Each month we will present a workshop for an hour followed by a 2×4 songwriter showcase. Workshop topics will include music technology, music business, networking, and professional development.
  • The 2×4 showcase will feature 2 songs by 4 artists, so each event will feature four different local artists sharing two songs apiece. Our stage is small and our listening room is intimate.  Acts will primarily be solo artists, with the occasional duo or trio. To apply to perform at a 2×4 Songwriter Showcase, email 2×4@clevelandrocksppf.org.

The Professional Development Workshop Series is made possible with support from:

2023 Schedule

Workshops are held on the third Monday of the month from 7-9pm at the Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd.). Each workshop will focus on a different music-related topic with discussions from 7-8pm, followed by a 2×4 Songwriter Showcase from 8-9pm featuring 4 different artists. To apply to perform at a 2×4 Songwriter Showcase, email 2×4@clevelandrocksppf.org.

Monday, March 20, 2023
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop

Workshop: Microphone Choices for Musicians and Vocalists

Learn about various microphones and test a few out in our space, The Cleveland Rocks Shop, before listening to our songwriter showcase ‘The 2×4’.  We will have several microphones to discuss and try out.  Mics will be hooked up to listen to, some with headphones some with speakers, so you can compare them on a voice or instrument.  Ask questions, try out dynamic and condenser mics, listen to mics with different pickup patterns, and compare mics from different manufacturers like Shure, Telefunken, Beyerdynamic, Audix, and AKG.

  2×4 Songwriter Showcase

Chris Tuma – ReverbNation  |  Facebook
Waylon Fingers – Website  |  Apple Music  |  Spotify  |  Facebook
Kevin McCarthy – Website  |  Facebook
Warren Bendler – Facebook

Chris Tuma

Chris Tuma

Waylon Fingers

Waylon Fingers

Kevin McCarthy

Kevin McCarthy

Warren Bendler

Warren Bendler

Monday, April 17, 2023
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop

Workshop: Effect Pedal Experience with EarthQuaker Devices

EarthQuaker Devices is bringing their ‘Experience Station’ to The Cleveland Rocks Shop.  We will have several pedals for you to try out. There will be a guitar, bass, keyboard, and microphone available to connect with the pedals, or bring your own to hook up and listen to the effects.  Try the Astral Destiny, Acapulco Gold, and more! Plus, one lucky guest is going to win a free pedal (new release – yet to be announced!) to take home. Stay for The 2×4 Songwriter Showcase immediately after the pedal experience workshop.

  2×4 Songwriter Showcase

Lingua (Moko Bovo) – ReverbNation
Yes Lisa (Life Magnetic) – Facebook  |  Instagram  |  YouTube
David Novak (SkinTone Guitar Picks) – Facebook
Alison and JC (AJ & The Woods) – Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

Lingua

Yes Lisa

Yes Lisa

David Novak

David Novak

Alison and JC

Monday, May 15, 2023
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop

Workshop: Practical Advice for Musicians with Kevin Borrowman

Kevin Borrowman is an educator, musician, business owner, product developer, manufacturer, programmer, inventor, sound man, recording engineer, and repairman.  He owns Northern Lights & Sound, plays in the band Hollywood Mafia and teaches in the Recording Arts and Technology program at Cuyahoga Community College.  Kevin has worked in research and development of professional audio equipment and invented the M24 Mixed Logic automated DAW controller.  

Kevin will be joining us at the Cleveland Rock Shop to talk about practical advice for musicians when they get on stage, go to the studio, and deal with their equipment.  There are common challenges and problems nearly ever musician faces, and in music technology, recording, and live events we learn to expect the unexpected.  Bring your questions and learn strategies to have a better show, a better record, and how to take better care of your gear.
 

  2×4 Songwriter Showcase: 

Alexis Julia – Facebook | Soundcloud
Madison Cummins – Facebook | Website | Spotify
Bill Lestock – Facebook
Guy Snowdon – Facebook | Website 

Kevin Borrowman

Alexis Julia

Alexis Julia

Madison Cummins

Bill Lestock

Bill Lestock

Guy Snowdon

Monday, June 19th, 2023
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop

Workshop: Revenue Strategies for Musicians with John Latimer

John Latimer is a songwriter, educator, publisher, and promoter of music.  John founded the trailblazing music conference and showcase Undercurrents and manages a large catalog of works through his publishing company Latitunes.  In this workshop, John will offer practical advice to local musicians who are looking to increase revenue by accessing different royalty streams and marketing opportunities.

  2×4 Songwriter Showcase

Rebecca Wohlever – Facebook
John McGrail – Facebook | Website
Richard Szekelyi – Facebook
Sarah Arafat – Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify

John Latimer

John Latimer

Rebecca Wohlever

John McGrail

John McGrail

Richard Szekelyi

Sarah Arafat

Monday, July 17th, 2023
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop

Workshop: Perspectives on Home Recording Studios

A panel of recording artists and producers discuss their own style of working in their home studios. The presentation will feature details of their home studio equipment and techniques relating to their work. We will have panelists who specialize in recording hip-hop, rock, jazz, gospel, folk, and other genres. Learn from a few of the most productive home recordists in the Cleveland-area.

Panelists include: 

  2×4 Songwriter Showcase: 

Doug Nichols – Facebook
Mal SanMarco – Facebook
Afi Scruggs – Facebook | Website | Soundcloud
Wesley Washington – Facebook | Bandcamp

Doug Nichols

Mal SanMarco

Afi Scruggs

Afi Scruggs

Wesley Washington

Wesley Washington

Monday, August 21, 2023
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop

Workshop: Claim Your MLC Royalties

Are you a songwriter? Do you know about the MLC? Do you claim your royalties from the MLC? The MLC is a non-profit created by the US Copyright Office to issue blanket licenses for all US songwriters to the DSPs (digital service providers like Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) and collect all songwriting mechanical royalties for digital streaming. Has your music been streamed online anytime in the last two years? Then you probably have royalties waiting for you at the MLC. Find out how to claim them.

David Kennedy and Tracy Marie talk about how they registered and claimed their royalties from the MLC this year and how you can too. https://www.themlc.com

2×4 Songwriter Showcase: 

Cognito Jaffe – Facebook
Seth Kindheart – Facebook | Instagram
Colleen Welsch – Spotify | Website | Facebook | Instagram
Chris Woten

Martin Jaffe

Congito Jaffe

Seth Kindheart

Seth Kindheart

Colleen Welsch

Colleen Welsch

Chris Woten

Monday, September 18th, 2023
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop

Workshop: Resources to get started on your next project

What Resources Are Available And How To Find Them. Get familiar with local and national resources for getting music recorded and distributed.

  2×4 Songwriter Showcase: Duos Edition!

Fox Ears – Website | Facebook | Instagram
My Saint Catherine
Sunflurry – Website | Facebook
The Super Babes – Website | Facebook

Fox Ears

Fox Ears

My Saint Catherine

My Saint Catherine

Sunflurry

Sunflurry

The Super Babes

Monday, October 16, 2023
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop

Workshop: Royalties

What are they?  Where do they come from?  How to collect them.  

2×4 Songwriter Showcase: Hip Hop Edition!

Eric ‘Scratchpaper’ Wilson – Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Soundcloud
San Goodee – Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify
Mixxed Rose – Instagram | Spotify
Domingo Kite –  Instagram | Spotify

Sam Goodee

San Goodee

Eric Wilson

Mixxed Rose

Mixxed Rose

Domingo Kite

Past Workshops

Workshop:
Artist Bios

Sunday, March 20, 2022
2-4pm • Beachland Tavern

Often the first piece of information available to the public and offers you a chance to frame your music and give audiences a reason to want to learn more. Our panelists of journalists and writers will guidance on what makes a good bio and also offer critique for those attendees who bring one. Bridget Caswell, a local photographer, will be available to take free headshots during the event.

Panelists include Afi Scruggs, David Sierk, Jimi Izreal, Anastasia Pantsios

Workshop: EPKs

Sunday, April 24, 2022
2-4pm • Beachland Tavern

An EPK, or electronic press kit, is a digital version of a promotional package for musicians to share with venues, festivals, or talent buyers. It is a general online resume to sum up a musician’s career to date. 
Panelists include Michael McFarland, Dawn Marshman, Wallace Settles, James Carol and David Kennedy. 

Workshop: PROs

Sunday, May 15, 2022
2-4pm • Beachland Tavern

PROs, or Performing Rights Organizations, are responsible for collecting income on behalf of songwriters and music publishers when a song is publicly broadcast or performed.
Panelists include Russell Carter, John Latimer, Andrea Liguore and David Kennedy

Workshop: Marketing & Advertising for Independent Musicians

Sunday, June 12, 2022
2-4pm • Beachland Tavern

Promoting your music in 2022; building a website and email list, the importance of social media, getting on playlists, reaching radio stations, blogs, and podcasts.
Panelists include Sunceray Tabler, Ngina Fayola, Corinne Henahan, Bruce Marek, and David Kennedy.

The Professional Development Workshop Series is made possible with support from:

Cuyahoga Arts and Culture

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