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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Gathering on the first Saturday of each month, members of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Johnson City chapter convene at the Down Home for an insightful songwriting workshop.
“We’re a collective of songwriters dedicated to mastering the art of crafting songs,” explained Roger Fair. “Many of our members have been writing for years, but haven’t yet honed their skills to perfection. They bring their compositions here, where we work on refining them into even better pieces.”
Having coordinated the Johnson City NSAI chapter for nearly two decades, Fair shared with News Channel 11 that the group was initiated to support fellow musicians, offering a space where they can share ideas and learn from each other’s musical journeys.
“Our goal is to nurture the talent individuals possess and help them reach their full potential,” Fair remarked. “As they say in Nashville, the magic lies in the rewriting. Our focus is on transforming songs through meticulous rewrites.”
For Fair, the historic ambiance of the Down Home building fuels creativity, with its storied walls serving as a source of inspiration for aspiring songwriters.
“Alison Krauss and Kenney Chesney, you know with ETSU, a lot of folks like that, when they’re in the bluegrass program, they used the Down Home as a springboard. So like I say, it’s started a lot of famous people’s careers,” Fair said. “Sitting in here and just knowing the quality of music that’s come through here over the years, it’s like I tell people, I said, you got to write something good just being here.”
Fair, who prefers playing acoustic guitar, said the Down Home and NSAI group is a great outlet for creativity and friendship.
Fair told News Channel 11 that anyone is welcome to join the workshop to develop their talents to the best that they can be on the first Saturday of the month.