Barbara Cloyd

Barbara Cloyd proved her ability to write a hit song when she penned the Lorrie Morgan single “I Guess You Had to Be There.” She has also proven her dedication to nurturing young talent with years of hosting writers nights in Nashville. She has presided over the Monday Night Open Mic at the Bluebird Café since 1986 and spent a decade booking the early shows at this world renowned club. Barbara ran a popular writer’s night and created the Gibson Café Country Song Contest which helped many writers make contacts with publishers. Her growing reputation for spotting talent has allowed her to help several exceptional writers make connections within the industry that got them started, including: Bret Jones (Little Past Little Rock,” “Don’t Ask Me How I Know”), Barry Dean (“God’s Will”), Marcel (“Nothing to Lose”) and Anthony Smith (“If That Ain’t Country,” “Run”). Plus a few (like Adam James) you just haven’t heard of YET. In response to frequent requests for advice and guidance she formed “Ready for the Row”, a consultation service for songwriters, and regularly presents “Play For Publishers” workshops. Beyond her accomplishments in working with other writers, Barbara has kept her own music alive and has two independently produced releases on the market. Feeling perfectly at home in front of an audience with a guitar in her hand, she has continued to perform as a regular at the Bluebird Cafe, the Frank Brown Songwriters Festival and many other prestigious festivals and venues. She was recently the recipient of NSAI’s prestigious ‘Maggie Cavender Award’ for Exceptional Service to the Songwriting Community.

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