6PM-9PM

Legend Building at Petco Park Social Lounge & Rooftop Deck

325 7th Avenue San Diego CA 92101

SPACE IS LIMITED FOR THIS EVENT, AND PRE-REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY. To reserve your tickets see the end of this post.

Mark Mazzetti is an internationally respected music A&R executive and producer with a long history of creating Grammy Award winning records which have sold over 40 million copies world-wide. Mark has held positions as Executive VP of A&R at A&M Records and Executive VP and Special Assistant to the Co-Chairman and President of A&M Records, Jerry Moss.

Most recently Mark has been in the studio in LA producing young artists that include:

• Mary Bee
• Zach Gospe
• Sidney Loraine
• Kerry Fenster
• Taylor Poe
• Eric Eden and
• Josh Tazman.

Mark has served as A&R executive for many artists including

• Sting
• Janet Jackson
• Amy Grant
• Dishwalla
• Aaron Neville
• Bryan Adams
• Simple Minds
• Madonna
• John Mayer and
• Elton John

Mark continues to develop young artists who release indie and major label records while also creating masters for placements in film, TV and video games.  Finding artists and assisting in creating the best music they can create are part of Mark’s work at RECORD COMPANY IN A BOX.

Mark will guide songwriters on how to recognize the level of their craft and then move forward to develop that craft – taking their music and lyric writing to higher levels of excellence and commercial appeal.  He will also discuss how to approach collaborations in writing and what to look for in other writers.  Attendees can look forward to Mark sharing his experience and prospective as an A&R executive at A&M Records as well as his latest endeavors.

Members and attendees will have the opportunity to pitch one original song to Mark for evaluation, critique, and feedback.   Mark is looking for songs and writers to sign to his publishing company -Pop /rock /alternative/ rhythmic/dance/EDM.

SPACE IS LIMITED FOR THIS EVENT, AND PRE-REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY.  All attendees will be required to pre-register on the SDSG website. Cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.

Registration deadline is midnight, Thursday, April 7th. 

Bring song on CD, track marked on CD if necessary, and several copies of lyric sheets.

It is not necessary to bring a song to critique to benefit from the workshop.  You will be able to watch, listen, participate and meet fellow peers. It’s all part of learning. In fact, if you are not chosen to present, please understand that the workshop provides value in so many ways.

Song critique is provided by the Guest Speaker, and if time, comments from the floor. It is at the Guest Speaker’s discretion as to how much of the song he/she wishes to hear (when to fade song) before he is ready to provide a valuable, educated, and expert critique.

There is no parking available at the Legend  Building.  Street parking is available (Free Sunday) or garage parking is $1/Hour at 6th and K Parkade

Online registration for this event is closed

Jim Attebery

Diane Waters

SDSG begins our 32nd year with a chance to meet with and have your songs heard and critiqued by Jim Attebery, the co-founder and President of The Durango Songwriter’s Expo, a premier national singer-songwriter event since it was founded in 1996. The meeting will be held at one of San Diego’s finest recording facilities, Studio West, thanks to the studio’s support for SDSG. This a joint SDSG – NSAI Session at Studio West event!

The Durango Expo occurs twice a year, once in Santa Ynez Wine Country, (this year’s west coast event is February 27 – March 1) and again in October in Boulder, Colorado. With over 40 music industry pros and hit songwriters present and registration limited to 200 attendees, the Expo offers an unparalleled networking opportunity. The Expo is one of the few songwriters’ events where participants get their music heard extensively by established industry vets. Jim is a very well-connected songwriter, producer, and studio owner who has worked with a variety of bands and artists and has written music for film and TV for many years. He will be joined during the session by SDSG Acting President Diane Waters, the winner of many songwriting awards including Country Grand Prize Winner from the 2010 Durango Songwriters Expo and, with co-writer Mark Charles Hattersley, runner-up in the Pop category in 2013.

Jim and Diane will offer critiques on submissions, and attendees will, we’re sure, find the meeting informative and enjoyable.

In addition to offering his insights about your music, Jim will be selecting two songs for free entry in Durango Songwriters Expo’s 2014 West Coast “Write With A Hit-Maker” Song Contest. Please mark your song pitches as either “Pop/Rock”, “Country” or “Film and TV.” Film and TV category submissions should be broadcast quality.

For more info about Durango and the Write With A Hit-Maker Song Contest, visit www.durango-songwriters-expo.com We look forward to seeing you at

Studio West StudioWest.com
11021 Via Frontera, Suite A,
San Diego, CA 92127

858 592 9497

Monday, January 13, 2014

Registration Opens at 6:00 PM
Session Begins at 7:00 PM

Pitch fee is $10 per song, two song maximum per writer or writing team. Admission is free to SDSG and NSAI Members, $10 for non-members. SDSG Memberships available here or at the door.

The event will take place at 7PM on Monday, September 24th at the Country Inn & Suites (5975 Lusk Boulevard  San Diego 92121). Members wishing to submit a song (limited spots available) will need to register in advance and submit a song online. But hurry! Registration deadline is 3PM on Thursday, September 20th.

We are excited to have Michael and look forward to the event! At this event Michael will speak on targeting industry pitches and to listen to SDSG member songs. To participate in this event, songwriters will submit their songs in advance via the form below. The cost is $10 per submission and each songwriter is limited to 2 songs total.

One Sheet SDSG-Presents-Michael-Laskow

A Message From Diane Waters

I met Michael Laskow in 1992 just before he founded Taxi and he’s as enthusiastic about discovering and promoting songwriters today as he was back then.  When we spoke recently he was relating the whirlwind of activity he’s involved in to get ready for this year’s Taxi “Road Rally.” Each year he ups the ante and this time out he’s secured multi Grammy award winning songwriter Diane Warren as the keynote interview.  Even with all of this, Michael is happily making time for the San Diego Songwriter’s Guild this month! He’ll spend the evening with us, share some of his vast knowledge and even listen to some members songs via Skype. What a great opportunity for us!

Music Business & Pitch Session with Producer/Composer/Publisher Josquin des Pres

Grab your notebooks and a CD and join SDSG on Monday April 2 as we welcome Josquin des Pres for what is sure to be a most interesting and informative session at the Country Inn & Suites. Josquin, who has survived — and thrived — in this most challenging of fields, will be sharing insights gained in his over 30 years working in the business of music, with a focus on today’s environment.

Topics to be addressed include:

• Know the Players – Play the Game to Win
• Get Organized – Manage your Time and Follow Through to Success
• Online Piracy and its impact on artists, songwriters and composers
• The How and Why of Film and TV placement
• Prepare Your Tracks for the Pro Studio

For the piece de resistance, Josquin, owner of publisher Track Star Entertainment, Inc. will be listening to and critiquing our music, as we combine this educational
seminar with a pitch session. Submissions are limited to one per writer. Josquin will also be available to answer your questions, and we’ll be giving away two of his books in a drawing. This is a rare opportunity to pick the brain of an industry success story… don’t miss it! Please see the SDSG Interview with Josquin starting on Page Four for more about our guest.

We’re excited to bring this opportunity to San Diego, and look forward to seeing you at the Country Inn and Suites, 5975 Lusk Blvd in Sorrento Valley (858) 558-1818

Monday, April 2, 2012

Registration Opens at 6:00 PM

Admission is free to all, but only SDSG Members may pitch. Pitch fee is $10 – one song per writer. Memberships available here or at the door.

Not only will we be starting the year off with a hot pitch session, but also a great oppor­tunity to meet the 2012 President of the San Diego Songwriters Guild, Tim Mudd! We are looking forward to offering many opportunities our members in the upcoming year, so please join us as we connect with one another and welcome our new President.

The Expo is held twice a year, once in Santa Barbara Wine Country, (this year’s event is March 1-4) and again in Octo­ber in Boulder, Colorado. With over 40 music industry pros and hit songwriters present and registration limited to 200 at­tendees, the Expo is an unparalleled networking opportunity and one of the few songwriters’ events where participants get their music heard extensively by established industry vets. For more info about Durango, visit them at www.durango-songwriters-expo.com

Jim is a songwriter, producer, and studio owner who has worked with a variety of bands and artists and has written music for film and tv for many years. He will be joined on the dais by SDSG’s Diane Waters, and offer critiques on submissions. Pitch attendees will, we’re sure, find the meeting enjoyable and informative. Additionally, Jim will be giving away a couple of free entry’s to the Durango “Write With a Hit Songwriter Contest” at the end of the pitch session.

We are excited to bring the flavor of Durango to San Diego on January 16 Pitch and look forward to seeing you at the Country Inns and Suites, 5975 Lusk Boulevard, San Diego

Monday, January 16, 2012 Registration Opens at 6:00 PM

SDSG Memberships available online or at the door. Pitch fee is $5 per song, two song maximum per writer or writing team. Admission is free to SDSG Members, $10 for non-members.

Now in his fourth year as a published writer/producer with Peer Music, Richard has had cuts with Katharine McPhee (Billboard Top 40), EMI Latin multi-million selling artist Anahi (Billboard Top 10), a top ten single for Universal New Zealand artist Boh Runga and Atlantic new signing Camera Can’t Lie and a recent #1 single with South Africas Idol winner Elvis Blue. He has a forthcoming single with EMI artist Shawn Hlookoff , cuts with several new Latin artists for Sony and EMI and Warners new signing Meghan Kabir amongst others including Universal, Atlantic and Capitol Records. Co-write credits include Grammy award winning and multi million selling writers including Mark Hudson, Pam Sheyne, Victoria Shaw, Gary Burr, Peter Zizzo, Sean Hosein, Darrel Brown, Keith Follese, Jeff Franzel and Boots Ottestad.

If you turn on the TV anywhere in the world, you’ll hear Richard’s music on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, The BBC, Granada TV, History Channel, Lifetime, MTV, Discovery Channel, TNT, and many others. His songs have been heard in commercials, and TV shows including One Tree Hill, Cold Case, Third Watch, The Closer, The Hills, Joan Of Arcadia, and even awards shows like Critic’s Choice and Cinematheque.

With great respect to the masters of all genres and eyes fixed firmly on the future of the art form, Richard Harris continues to create groundbreaking music in his home studio in Los Angeles. Richard will be listening to your songs with SDSG on October 18. Don’t miss him!

This session is open to SDSG Members only; memberships available at the door. Limit two songs; SDSG reserves the right to limit submissions further due to time constraints. Registration opens at 6PM at Country Inn and Suites in Sorento Valley, 5975 Lusk Blvd, San Diego 92121. Session begins at 7PM. Admission is free; Pitch fee is $10 per song. Special thanks to Diane Waters for setting up this awesome opportunity for SDSG members.

October 2011

The Expo is held twice a year, once in Santa Barbara Wine Country, (this year’s event is February 24-26) and again in October in Boulder, Colorado. With over 40 music industry pros and hit songwriters present and registration limited to 200 attendees, the Expo is an unparalleled networking opportunity and one of the few songwriters’ events where participants get their music heard extensively by established industry vets.
Jim is a songwriter, producer, and studio owner who has worked with a variety of bands and artists and has written music for film and tv for many years. Says Jim, “We all need to be inspired to create. Few things are more inspiring than spending quality time with smart, talented, like-minded people who understand what you do… and are passionate about it, in fact.” He will be joined on the dais by SDSG’s Diane Waters, the winner of many songwriting awards including Country Grand Prize Winner from the 2010 Durango Songwriters Expo. Jim and Diane will offer critiques on submissions, and Pitch attendees will, we’re sure, find the meeting enjoyable and informative.

In addition to offering his insights about your music, Jim will be selecting two songs from SDSG’s Pitch for free entry in Durango Songwriters Expo’s 2011 “Write With A Hit-Maker” Song Contest. Please mark your song pitches as either “Pop/Rock”, “Country” or “Film and TV” (Note: Film and TV category submissions should be broadcast quality). For more info about Durango, visit them at www.durango-songwriters-expo.com

We are excited to bring the flavor of Durango to San Diego with our January 24 Pitch and look forward to seeing you at the Country Inns and Suites in Sorrento Valley, 5975 Lusk Boulevard, San Diego 92121 (858) 558-1818

Monday, January 24, 2011

Registration Opens at 6:00 PM

SDSG Memberships available here or at the door. Admission is free to SDSG Members, $10 for non-members. Pitch fee is $5 per song, two song maximum per writer or writing team.

Producer/Engineer Jeff McCullough, an industry vet who has worked with many top recording industry pros, including Jeff Lorber and Eric Marienthal on his current project, will be listening for songs and artists for future releases. In addition to offering you a chance to meet Jeff and have your music considered for use in one of his top-notch productions, Jeff will provide comments and critiques, making this session both potentially rewarding and educational.

Registration opens at 6:00 PM. Parking is available across the street from the hall in the school lot. Do not miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 7:00 PM

Swedenborg Hall
1531 Tyler Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103

Free Admission for SDSG Members
Public Welcome -Admission $10.00
Pitch Fee: $5 per song (2 max) Members
$10 per song (2 max) Non-Members

SDSG Memberships available at SDSongwriters.org or at the Door.