Boot Camp and then some

Wow!!!What an amazing week.  The 3rd Annual Jeffrey Steele Boot Camp was absolutely amazing!Starting with Jeffrey's introduction then updates from previous grads: Chris Yarber, Melissa Bollea, Kregg Barentine, Annie Dingwall, and Jennifer Adan who performed her current smash for Bake Shelton "She Wouldn't Be Gone".  They have all jumped up their game.  Moving to Nashville, or at least making multiple trips, scoring film, t.v., and movie song placements and publishing offers!!!  It was great to see too, how they have kept in touch, written together, and continue to progress!Then it was on to Studio 515 to visit old Boy Howdy drummer and studio slave Tim Grogan.  As we went through the ins and outs of the "process" of getting it right...and then "the co-writing began" and boy did we get some good songs!  Then all were ordered back to their rooms to write and finish what they had started...no arms needed twisting.  This was a talented bunch!Day 2 started early, of course as any day does when you're writing and recording all night!  But we jumped into a Q and A then started a group song, 13 writers haha!  "It was hilarious, then it got good, then it got hilarious again, then it got tiring haha, I couldn't keep up with em!"Then we did our second pair off.  It was just beautiful to see how the songs got better and better!!!  Jeffrey walked into each room and watched, helped, wrote, talked, and one thing was clear, we had some writers all uniquely gifted and learning the process!Lunch brought a great panel of speakers who gave real insight and fielded questions about everything music and biz!Steve Markland from Crossfire3 and Jeffrey's former plugger and publisher, Alissa Moreno who co-wrote her first smash last year for Rascal Flatts, "Everyday" with Jeffrey, Also Jeffrey's long-time friend and co-writer, with hits such as "Fall", "Beautiful Mess", "International Harvester", and "Brand New Girlfriend". Cowboy/bull rider/cop/fireman/recording artist Shane Minor had everyone cracking up about his road to songwriting fame!  The panel was rounded out by Universal's Scott Gunter, who Jeffrey describes as the one guy who "really knows it when he hears it!"After lunch well...more writing with Jeffrey and the camp.  Then 45 minutes with Debi Cochran from NSAI giving so much great information about rights, laws, congress and what we all really need to know about our future as songwriters and our past and what a long road it has been and continues to be. Then an impromptu performance by our caterer Andy Pappas, who Jeffrey met in Nebraska years back and encouraged to chase his dream.  Andy now lives in Nashville with his family, works a demanding job, and is writing great songs.  Jeffrey told him he could play a few songs, but I don't think Andy realized it would be for the class!  Tears of joy from everybody!followed by...yea you guess it...more writing!As the day ended it was decision time, Friday night in Nashville:  go hear some music or go back to the rooms and write!  There was a little of both!

Saturday...bright and early we all trekked to "Rocketown" to hear a little about the charity where this money goes for the "Alex LeVasseur Foundation".  A place where Alex loved to skate and make his movies.  We checked out the banner which hangs in his honor and told everyone about the audio/video room we hope to start in his name for kids to hang out and create!

then of course...more writing!Then as a surprise we took a walk to the Country Music Hall of Fame "Ford Theatre" to see Jeffrey's introduction as "Poet and Prophet".  It was a sold out audience of fans and friends(some driving 200 miles)and past boot campers: Chris Armes(who designed the programs for Alex Fest), Jennifer Adan, Annie Dingwall, Lori Kelley, Chris Yarber, and more.  With this years Boot Campers in the front row with Jeffrey's family!

After that final song finishes and then...Boot Camper writer in the round.

We all went to 3rd & Lindsley to a packed house of great fans to watch, listen, and hear some of the songs we wrote.  What a night!!!

After that we went off to the Commodore Lounge to hear some more writers and music, and some even got up and sang!!! whew.Sunday came and we were all back at BMI where we started with David Preston speaking about collection of royalties, state of the industry, and answering questions about varied topics!  Just when it couldn't get better in walks Craig Wiseman who graciously spoke for about an hour and reminded us why he continues to be such a talent and shining light to all who dare take the plunge!  His words on self awareness were such a perfect note to end on!

such a talent and shining light to all who dare take the plunge!!!!!! his words on self awareness were such a perfect note to end on!And then the sheepskin and camouflage!  And the pictures of the skyline with all the grads!

Finally Jeffrey outside with a few last words outside on the street (3 hours) talking to each grad about what's to come for them as they all faded away to the airport to catch flights.

All in all a busy song filled week.

Thanks to all the former grads for the time they gave us! Casey for all the coordination and critiquing, Stephanie for all the going ons like hotel rides, food, etc., Jessie for the great food, Justine for the letter writing and paperwork involved, our panels Steve, Scott, Alyssa, Shane, David, BMI, NASI, RON and 3RD & LINDSLEY, MOES SOUTHWESTERN GRILL, ANDY PAPPAS, ROCKETOWN, COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME, TIM AND ROD FROM 515 STUDIOS, and everyone else who helped coordinate this 3rd Annual incredible Boot Camp!  See ya next year!BACK ON THE SCREENCheck out SEBASTIAN BACH in his new video "Battle With The Bottle" on CMT or CMT.com  Sebastian along with Jeffrey and Vicky McGeehee wrote the song which won Sebastian the gone Country 2 prize and he is now recording his debut c.d.

Jeffrey stars along side Sebastian in the video!