Coffee Break - Member Services Edition by NSAIOfficial

Emma Place is a genre-defying songwriter who skillfully blends country, pop, and modern influences into songs that connect deeply with listeners and industry professionals alike.

Based in Nashville, Emma has built an impressive career defined by creativity, resilience, and connection. She is a two-time participant of the prestigious ASCAP Foundation Country Workshop in honor of Garth Brooks—first during her college years under the guidance of Tony Arata, and again in 2024 with songwriter and producer Corey Crowder. During her time at Belmont University, Emma opened for celebrated acts like Steve Moakler and COIN, won ASCAP Writers Night, and performed in the renowned "Best of the Best" showcase. Emma was also selected for the highly exclusive ASCAP GPS (Guided by Publishers) program, a sought-after opportunity that provides unparalleled access to Nashville’s top publishers and industry leaders, further solidifying her place in the competitive songwriting community.

After facing and overcoming a cancer diagnosis upon graduating college, Emma emerged with a renewed sense of purpose and creativity that now drives her work. Her songs are defined by heartfelt storytelling and innovative soundscapes, resonating across genres and leaving a lasting impression. By building authentic, lasting relationships with industry professionals across Nashville and Los Angeles over the last several years, Emma is laying the foundation for an enduring career while continually honing her craft.

With cuts already scheduled and ongoing collaborations in the works, Emma continues to expand her artistry. Her ability to craft songs that balance earnest storytelling with modern sounds and memorable phrasing has made her a songwriter to watch. As an emerging force in the industry, Emma is poised to leave a lasting mark.

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For 25 years, the Nashville Songwriters Association has offered their annual Song Contest as an opportunity for unsigned songwriters around the world to submit their work for professional feedback and a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes and industry access! Now in partnership with SoundCloud, the Top 10 finalists are featured here by SoundCloud Selects where a fan favorite will be chosen by voters.

Rachel Harvey Hill is a Nashville-based songwriter. She was awarded a Bluebird Golden Pick in 2022 and won the 2019 New England Songwriting Competition, Pop-Rock category. As an Air Force spouse and an artist with the non-profit, Operation Encore, Rachel is privileged to regularly play her songs alongside fellow members of the military community at events across the country. She also enjoys playing writers’ rounds in the Nashville area.

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For 25 years, the Nashville Songwriters Association has offered their annual Song Contest as an opportunity for unsigned songwriters around the world to submit their work for professional feedback and a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes and industry access! Now in partnership with SoundCloud, the Top 10 finalists are featured here by SoundCloud Selects where a fan favorite will be chosen by voters.

Tim Comeaux is a songwriter who has been working on his songs for decades, and he co-writes several times per week. He began co-writing in 2020 and has never looked back. He is aiming for independent artist cuts, country radio cuts, and a publishing deal. He has had several independent artist cuts with more currently planned for release, and 3 of his co-written songs have made the NSAI Top 40 list. Everyone You’ve Ever Been (co-written with Ryan Jacobs and James Maltese) was voted as Top 12 for the Best of Tin Pan Songwriter Seminar Round in 2024. His song Dumpster Diving (co-written with Andrea Brodeur and Steve Brown) made the 2024 NSAI Chapter Challenge Top 20 List.

Tim is Co-Coordinator (along with Andrea Brodeur) of the NSAI Providence, RI Chapter. He splits time between North Easton, MA (where he and his family live in his childhood home) and Nashville. When in Nashville, he spends his time co-writing, meeting with publishers and mentors, and working to further his songwriting career goals. For the past 4 years, he has co-hosted an annual songwriting retreat in Nashville. This retreat brings together talented songwriters and artists who are aiming for careers in the music industry. Tim loves the songwriting scene and has made great friends on this journey, and he feels this is only the beginning! His strong suit is hooks and lyrics- with a focus on phrasing, alliteration, and internal rhymes. He is very appreciative of NSAI and all those who have supported him along this journey thus far, and he looks forward to what’s ahead!

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For 25 years, the Nashville Songwriters Association has offered their annual Song Contest as an opportunity for unsigned songwriters around the world to submit their work for professional feedback and a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes and industry access! Now in partnership with SoundCloud, the Top 10 finalists are featured here by SoundCloud Selects where a fan favorite will be chosen by voters.

Josie Bisto began her songwriting career in the commercial country market after moving to Nashville in 2015. With over 50 cuts, her songs have been played on numerous stations and stages: including the world-renowned Grand Ole Opry and the legendary Bluebird Cafe. She also quickly fell in love with the freedom of the sync world where she developed a poetic style of writing that hits heavy on rhyme and alliteration to create an emotional backdrop. Her sync catalog includes over 125 one-stop fully mastered tracks.

Growing up she listened to everything from rap to country; crediting her vast musical interests to her ability to seamlessly transition between genres when writing. She has joined forces with numerous pro-writers including Victoria Banks, Jay Brunswick, Lance Carpenter, Steve Dean, Marty Dodson, Jeffrey East, Jeffrey Garrison, Brandon James, Kyle Jefferson, Billy Lee, Lo Lind, Riley Roth, Kyle Schlienger, Keesy Timmer, Cyndi Torres and Brian White to name a few.

Josie has also created several strong co-writing teams with up-and-coming artists & producers in an effort to build a catalog of value. Her greatest joy in co-writing is helping an artist find and develop their unique sound. Beyond the lyrics, Josie often has a hand in release planning, album art, photo shoots and social content for the artists she believes in; which includes two of her favorite artists & her co-writers on "Love Lies" - Meagan Allen & Corben Champoux. Both have released their own unique version of this song! She also helped with developing and the recent launch of husband AJ Bisto's "Key of G live!", a Tribute to Garth Brooks!

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For 25 years, the Nashville Songwriters Association has offered their annual Song Contest as an opportunity for unsigned songwriters around the world to submit their work for professional feedback and a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes and industry access! Now in partnership with SoundCloud, the Top 10 finalists are featured here by SoundCloud Top 10 Selects where a fan favorite will be chosen by voters.

Claire Flynt is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Nashville, TN. She studied music business and piano at Berklee College of Music, which laid the foundation for her diverse career. Claire's songwriting spans across Pop, Rock, Folk, R&B, Singer/Songwriter, and Country genres. Some of her achievements include co-writing and recording flute on "Spin Cycle," the title track to Theo Kandel's EP, having the music video for her song “Steal,” performed by Elle Rose, premiere on CMT, and winning the NSAI 23rd Annual Song Contest alongside co-writers Drew Schueler and Nell Maynard with their song “Hurtable.” Claire plays piano, guitar, ukulele, and flute. Her strengths lie in storytelling and lyric writing, while adding memorable melody and harmony ideas to her work. Additionally, Claire contributes to the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Words & Music program and teaches songwriting in the summers at Berklee College of Music’s Aspire program and Songwriting Workshops.

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For 25 years, the Nashville Songwriters Association has offered their annual Song Contest as an opportunity for unsigned songwriters around the world to submit their work for professional feedback and a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes and industry access! Now in partnership with SoundCloud, the Top 10 finalists are featured here by SoundCloud Selects where a fan favorite will be chosen by voters.

Brad McKinney is a Kentucky-born singer/songwriter now residing in Nashville. The husband and father of 3 has been writing diligently since 2013, and has built many publisher, artist, and pro writer relationships. He has accumulated many cuts, self releases, and accolades throughout the years, most recently being recognized as the winner of the American Songwriter 2025 Session One Lyric Contest. On any given day, you can find Brad writing with Music Row's finest!

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For 25 years, the Nashville Songwriters Association has offered their annual Song Contest as an opportunity for unsigned songwriters around the world to submit their work for professional feedback and a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes and industry access! Now in partnership with SoundCloud, the Top 10 finalists are featured here by SoundCloud Selects where a fan favorite will be chosen by voters.

Sam Blasko is a Nashville songwriter originally from Youngstown, Ohio. She draws inspiration from country music’s timeless storytelling, classic melodies, and clever lyrics. At the end of the day, she believes it's all about the song, the story, and the way it makes you feel. With over 3 million streams and nearly 30 cuts as an independent songwriter, Sam is only just getting started in her career. She regularly plays shows in Nashville at The Bluebird Cafe & The Listening Room, and across the country in various cities with Sofar Sounds.

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For 25 years, the Nashville Songwriters Association has offered their annual Song Contest as an opportunity for unsigned songwriters around the world to submit their work for professional feedback and a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes and industry access! Now in partnership with SoundCloud, the Top 10 finalists are featured here by SoundCloud Selects where a fan favorite will be chosen by voters.

Alex Lomartire, a native of Dover, New Hampshire, is a country songwriter and artist who blends the soul of classic country with the dynamic and vibrant interpretations of the genre’s modern flare. Growing up an hour from a divided highway, Lomartire connected with the stories that country music shared and is influenced by artists such as Eric Church, George Strait, and James Taylor. A graduate of Belmont University, he worked on his songwriting and artistic crafts alongside industry leaders throughout his time as a student. Since graduation, he has been writing full-time and continues to hone his songwriting craft. Recent collaborators include, Jaan Harrison Kohm, Julia Morey, Lauryn Marie Hedges, Sara Ashton Copelan, Sara Kelly, Carter Windham, Kaitlyn Croker, and Bri Aspen.

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For 25 years, the Nashville Songwriters Association has offered their annual Song Contest as an opportunity for unsigned songwriters around the world to submit their work for professional feedback and a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes and industry access! Now in partnership with SoundCloud, the Top 10 finalists are featured here by SoundCloud Selects where a fan favorite will be chosen by voters.

Claire Flynt is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Nashville, TN. She studied music business and piano at Berklee College of Music, which laid the foundation for her diverse career. Claire's songwriting spans across Pop, Rock, Folk, R&B, Singer/Songwriter, and Country genres. Some of her achievements include co-writing and recording flute on "Spin Cycle," the title track to Theo Kandel's EP, having the music video for her song “Steal,” performed by Elle Rose, premiere on CMT, and winning the NSAI 23rd Annual Song Contest alongside co-writers Drew Schueler and Nell Maynard with their song “Hurtable.” Claire plays piano, guitar, ukulele, and flute. Her strengths lie in storytelling and lyric writing, while adding memorable melody and harmony ideas to her work. Additionally, Claire contributes to the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Words & Music program and teaches songwriting in the summers at Berklee College of Music’s Aspire program and Songwriting Workshops.

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For 25 years, the Nashville Songwriters Association has offered their annual Song Contest as an opportunity for unsigned songwriters around the world to submit their work for professional feedback and a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes and industry access! Now in partnership with SoundCloud, the Top 10 finalists are featured here by SoundCloud Selects where a fan favorite will be chosen by voters.