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Songwriter and Music Publisher

Music: Thom Shepherd, Nashville, TN
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Do you want to become a songwriter?

Do you find yourself humming your own tune? Is your creative genius ready to burst out in song? Do you believe you have talent and are willing to invest your blood, sweat, and tears in it? Then join songwriter Thom Shepherd for a VocationVacations® holiday in Nashville, Tennessee, and learn what it takes to be a successful songwriter and music publisher. Who knows, someday your song may hit #1 on the music charts!

Growing up in St. Louis, Thom did not show an interest in music as a child. “I guess I was sort of a late bloomer when it came to music,” says Thom. In high school, he began playing the guitar thinking it would be a fun hobby. He continued to play throughout his college days at George Mason University, while pursuing a degree in communications with a focus on film and video production.

Between his junior and senior year in college, a friend encouraged Thom to take his hobby and his talent to the next level and check out the Nashville music scene. “Man, if I was in your position, I’d go for it. You may not have this opportunity again,” urged his friend. A quick trip to the home of country music was all it took for Thom. When he graduated from college, Thom packed up his guitar and headed for Nashville. “I figured I might as well look for a “real” job in Nashville where I could also pursue my “dream” job of working in the music industry,” he explains. Thom succeeded in getting a job in film and video production in Nashville to support himself as he pursued a career in music.

“When I got to Nashville I was totally clueless about the music business, so I just started talking to people and asking questions,” remembers Thom. It took a lot of patience, persistence and the ability to handle rejection, but he followed his dream and hung in there. In 2001, Thom wrote “Riding with Private Malone,” which became a #1 hit song and won an Achievement Award from the Nashville Songwriters Association as “the song you wish you had written.” Four years later, country singer Craig Morgan released Thom’s song, “Redneck Yacht Club,” to country radio where it climbed the charts to #1. Other singers who have recorded Thom’s songs include George Jones, Pam Tillis, Buddy Jewell, Joe Nichols, and Ronnie Bowman.

One of the things Thom enjoys most about what he does, is performing for an audience.  He performs with his band, The Twang Thang, and has been on seven tours with Armed Forces Entertainment, most recently in Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Djibouti. “I love seeing the reaction of the audience. Country music is all about the story and lyrics and the emotions they invoke,” he explains.

Of course, he also appreciates the royalty checks that come with his success. “You can make a living writing songs. Look at me, I’m doing it,” laughs Thom. However, Thom is realistic about what it means to be a songwriter and music publisher. “Some days you have nothing, but you keep trying. There are no guarantees. But no matter what, if you are living your dream, it makes it all worthwhile.”

Spend a VocationVacation with Thom Shepherd, and he will share with you what it takes to become a successful song writer and music publisher will encourage you to also follow your dreams because he knows dreams can come true.

While on your songwriter and music publisher VocationVacations® dream job holiday with Thom Shepherd, activities will include some or all of the following:
  • Attend Songwriter’s Night at the Bluebird Café
  • Pen song lyrics
  • Write the score for your composition
  • Discuss formation of a music publishing company
  • Review business aspects of being a songwriter and music publisher
  • Record your song in a studio with Thom
  • Visit Nashville Songwriter’s Association International – if V-V is during the week
The Thom Shepherd Vocation Vacations® holiday includes:
  • Three days of one-on-one mentorship in your dream job as a Songwriter and Music Publisher
  • The opportunity to participate in a total of one hour of pre- and post-VocationVacation career coaching from an accredited, affiliated VocationVacations career coach
  • A pocket-size VocationVacations journal so you can document your dream job becoming a reality
  • Dinner on Friday night and light lunches on Saturday and Sunday
Click here to read more about the Armed Forces Entertainment tours that Thom is a part of!

Available: Based on Mentor’s weekend availability: Friday, late afternoon through late evening, and Saturday and Sunday.

Price: $1749 Per Person

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Suggested Accommodations

Hotel Preston

Sheraton Music City
(Not included in the price of your VocationVacation holiday)

Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations® adventure:

Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions:

Full payment of the VocationVacations dream job holiday is required to make a reservation. A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacations adventure cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases. In the US, Grounded Nomads, LLC and VocationVacations holidays encourage all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling. In the UK, Grounded Nomads, Ltd and VocationVacations holidays must require all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling and provide verification of such travel insurance to