Songwriter’s Night
Exploring the Process and Leveling Up

Join us for a monthly songwriter night at Manor Mill!

  • Are you a lyricist, a melody writer, both, or are you not sure?

  • Are you looking for a cowriter or collaborator?

  • Are you not a performer or feel you don’t have a good voice but want to share your songs?

  • Are you trying to figure out what to do next with your songs?

  • Do you want to learn about making work tapes or demos?

  • Do you hope to have an artist or band cut and release your songs?

  • Do you want to learn from songwriters and pros that are further down the road?

If any or all of these questions apply, then this is the place for you.

Format

We will start with a conversation with a songwriting or music industry professional

• This will be followed by a brief Q & A or demonstration

• Finally, we will have an open mic* to share your songs, and here’s the good part; this is about the content, not the delivery:

  • Want to try out new songs on a friendly audience?

  • Not a great singer, player, or performer? That’s ok.

  • Not a performer at all? It’s ok to have someone else sing your song

  • If you’re a lyricist looking for a melody writer, listening to other writers may help you find new partners to work with

Rules for open mic

• A sound system, keyboard, mics, and cables will be provided.

• If it’s best to have multiple singers to express harmonies, that’s Ok.

• This will be an amplified “unplugged” experience. We need to be respectful to the

neighbors. No guitar amps, bass amps, or drums... It’s all about the song.

• No covers. You must be the writer or cowriter of any song you share.

• No recording unless previously approved by the writer(s)

• Please keep selected songs to 5 minutes or less

• Songwriters will have up to 10 minutes to share 1 or 2 songs

• Priority will be given to newcomers

MEET SONGWRITER HOST, HARRY OFFUTT

Harry Offutt is a songwriter, producer, studio owner, and worship leader.  Harry has spent decades in the world of song writing, production, and recording, while building relationships with writers and musicians across the country.  His 2002 release of “the Misfit '' through his company Spare Room Productions, was praised in the Dec 2002 edition of CCM magazine as “the second coming of a classic”.  Harry is a 2008 Indieheaven Momentum Award winner for his ongoing support of the independent music community.  He has had a full career as a software architect, manager, and consultant, but his first love is music.  Harry loves encouraging songwriters while helping them develop a place for their songs and take their writing to the next level.  He is looking forward to hosting the monthly songwriter gathering.

Harry Offutt
hhoffutt@gmail.com

 

When:

The fourth Monday of every month from 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Note: December 2024 will be the fifth Sunday of the month, Dec 30.

Come and meet fellow writers and share your work!

Snacks will be provided and BYOB.

Upcoming featured songwriters

November 25 - Harry Offutt & Phoenix Hoppe

Phoenix Hoppe is a singer, songwriter, worship leader, and keyboard player. She is a trusted co-writer; a strong contributor to both melody and lyric; and has been known, on occasion, as “a bit of a song doctor.” Phoenix is a member of the St. Matthew Lutheran Church worship team in Bel Air, MD, and writes songs about real life, faith, and hope. Along with Harry Offutt, she is the monthly cohost for the Manor Mill Songwriter’s Night (you can find Harry’s bio nearby on this page). Register


December 30 - Brad Cox

Singer, Songwriter, Guitar Player and Host of the Mouth Full of Graffiti (MOG) Podcast. Register

January 27, 2025 - Terry Peters

Musician, Studio Owner, and Owner of Forest Hill Studio. Register

February 24 - Sam Wynkoop

Sam Wynkoop is a singer/songwriter, guitar and bass player, and one of the creative voices behind WeatherAmes and the Turkey City Boys. Register


Learn about our past featured songwriters!

For questions about these events or registration contact Harry Offutt.