Tin Pan South Q&A: Phil Barton

The Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, which is sponsored by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), will take place between March 29 and April 2 in Nashville, Tennessee. This year’s festival will feature performances by over 300 songwriters on nine different stages over five days. Many of the venues will host two shows per night. Fast Passes can be purchased from NSAI for $145 for NSAI members and $175 for non-members. Limited tickets will be sold as capacity permits after attendees with passes are seated.

Photo Contributed.

When are you performing during Tin Pan South this year? Thursday, March 31st 6pm @ the Bluebird.

When did you first know you wanted to be a songwriter? When I first strummed a chord and a melody.

Who are your influences as a songwriter? INXS, Paul McCartney, ACDC, Crowded House, Jeffrey Steele, Liz Rose.

What instruments do you play? Geetar.

How old were you when you wrote your first song? Probably 14 … a love sonnet to woo a girl no doubt …. think it was called ‘we were young’.

Do you prefer to write by yourself or with other songwriters? Love the co-write, and the energy that brings.

What is your favorite original song that you have written? A Woman Like You … for all the life-changing things that came with it and never gets old to play it and sing the lyric and see people hang on every word.

What do you generally write your songs about? Country things and love.

What is your favorite venue to play in Nashville? That would be a tie between The Listening Room and The Bluebird Cafe …. both very important places in my history and life.

What is your favorite restaurant in Nashville? El Palanque Mexican in Green Hills.

How has playing writer’s rounds helped you grow as a writer? It gives you a window in to see what people actually like to hear and react to.

Why did you want to participate in Tin Pan South? Because Nashville’s songwriting community is the best and I’m very proud to be a part of it and celebrate the songs we write and meet the people who want to hear the stories behind the songs.

What are your future professional goals? More Number One songs.

What advice would you give to an aspiring songwriter? Write and write and write, and learn and learn and learn …. try different ways of writing songs… you never know when the magic will hit.

Are you on social media? Yes you can find me on Instagram …. [email protected]