Play It Forward Sessions supports emerging independent artists from any genre or style with free artist development resources. This program provides musicians with professional recording sessions and video packages to create and share new original music they own the rights to. This opportunity is free for participating artists and is funded through grants and donations.
What Do Participating Artists Receive?
Full-day recording session (8-10hrs)
Recorded at professional recording studios in Nashville, TN
Audio engineer to run the session
You can still bring your producer with you
Record NEW original music
Artists must record at least one brand new, previously unrecorded, original song that they created, wrote, and composed
Artists will OWN and have RIGHTS to all of the audio recordings
Includes raw audio stems/recordings as well as any future mixes and masters
Artists choose who mixes and masters the recordings
Artists remain in full ownership and control of their music throughout the process
Our team handles all the booking and coordinating with the studio
We want to help artists have a smooth and successful session, so they can just focus on creating new music!
Live-in-studio video package
Includes professional, full live performance videos for EACH song recorded
Artist Qualifications
1) Must be an independent music artist
Not signed to a major label or receiving financial support to record new works of music
2) The artistic leader for the participating music project
must be a resident of Middle TN and 18+ years of age.
3) All participating musicians performing on the recordings
must be 18+ years of age
4) Have at least 1 brand new song to create and produce during the session
that has NOT been previously recorded
5) Be able to record the song(s) with as much live instrumentation as possible
in the studio (including drums, bass, guitar, etc)
6) Music project has not participated in a Play It Forward Session within the past 24 months
7) Be able to schedule the full-day (8-10 hours) recording session
between
October 2026 and April 2027
Artist Selection Process
To help us select the artists that participate in this program, we created an Artist Curation Committee. This committee provides the community with a voice in how we allocate our funding. They also help us get more connected to the different music communities in Nashville's local music scene. This committee consists of music artists, program alumni, music industry professionals, and local residents who simply love music.
Disclaimers
Music Neighbors reserves the right to modify or update the eligibility requirements, application process, selection criteria, program guidelines, deadlines, and available opportunities at any time without prior notice. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the Play It Forward Sessions program.
- Selection is competitive. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
- Funding dependent. Program availability is subject to available funding, partnerships, and scheduling.
- Accuracy of information. Applicants certify that all information submitted is accurate and complete.
- Permission to review materials. By submitting an application, applicants grant Music Neighbors permission to review, evaluate, and retain submitted materials for program consideration.
- Final decisions. Music Neighbors' selection decisions are final and are not subject to appeal.
- Right to verify. Music Neighbors may request additional information or documentation to verify eligibility.
Program offerings, artist selection, recording opportunities, and related services are contingent upon available funding, scheduling, and organizational capacity. Music Neighbors reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify any portion of the program without liability.
Why Did We Start This Program?
Due to the rising cost of living, the financial barriers for independent music artists to be able to professionally record new works of music are deepening. This problem is causing musicians to move away from music hubs, like Nashville, in order to be able to continue pursuing their music careers... which is a huge loss to culture! To help address this issue, this program provides independent music artists with FREE Full-Day Recording Sessions AND FREE Live-In-Studio Video Packages at professional recording studios to continue pursuing their artistry and building their careers.
We designed this program to help give independent artists, especially up-and-coming artists, a lift to further their artistry and careers. It can be really difficult for artists to do everything on their own. They not only have to pay for everything themselves, they also have to create content, plan and conduct marketing campaigns, manage their social media, book shows, submit their EPKs to share their music with media outlets, and all of the other hats that's needed to sustain a career in music whether that's part-time or full-time. We believe that artists need people in their corner to help them with all the tasks necessary to be a modern-day musician. That's why we become part of every artist's team to help with marketing the releases of their new singles that are created through this program. It's important to us for all artists to know their music has value and that their art matters.
This year's sessions are made possible with funding from the
Tennessee Arts Commission,
Metro Arts Nashville, and donations from our generous supporters.
Watch the Program Overview Video To Learn More
Check Out Our Previous Play It Forward Sessions
