APPARENTLY many hit songs be they country ,pop, folk, blues or any genre of music have been written and inspired in four or five minutes, there are those however that have taken weeks to complete having had writers block after an initial idea. If you are a writer or composer or have a general interest to find out how many of the top country songs have been written, inspired and laid to music then a forthcoming show may be of great interest. Building on the annual sell-out success of the CMA Songwriters Series show in London during C2C Festival and following the first U.K. tour last autumn during the inaugural Country Music Week, the Country Music Association’s critically acclaimed CMA Songwriters Series returns to the UK next week from 16th to the 22nd. Hosted by Chris DeStefano,( best known for being the songwriter behind many of Nashville’s top artists hit songs) it also features Kassi Ashton, Ashley Campbell, (daughter of Glen) and Tenille Townes. The series has a track record of launching new artists through an intimate story telling format where audiences get to know the artists and the tales behind their songs in a two hour show, where each artist takes a turn in talking about the songs they have written and then performing it. This time round the show introduces DeStefano, Ashton and Townes to the UK audiences for the first time as they join Ashley Campbell who makes her fourth appearance. Now in its fourteenth season many others artists have participated including Kasey Musgrave, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town and many more, with the uniqueness being on the showcasing of new artists who perhaps at the time were also artists who could become the new household names of the future. In many cases it seems to have worked. This month the show plays five venues starting in Glasgow on the 16th and culminating on the 22nd in London at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire as part of the forthcoming Country Music Week 2018. The North East date is at The Sage Gateshead on October 18 in Hall Sage Two with tickets available from the box office by calling 0191 443 4661. If you’re a budding songwriter treat yourself to a night of different entertainment where you can pick up some great hints and ideas for your first album release.