Daily Inspiration: Meet Bart Herbison

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bart Herbison

Hi Bart, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have loved music since my late Uncle Billy Pullen played me “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin,” by Elvis when I was around five years old. I grew up in Paris, Tennessee, with Jimmy Stewart who became a noted professional songwriter and that is where my fascination-obsession with the craft began.
After years in commercial radio as a disc jockey then News Director, I was hired by Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter as Deputy Director of Communications for the State of Tennessee. A couple of years later I joined the Washington D.C. staff of Nashville Congressman Bob Clement, where in addition to duties as his Press Secretary, I also dealt with music issues.
My very first meeting in that role was with the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). I never knew there was a songwriter advocacy group, but I said a prayer after that meeting that someday I would lead that organization! Ten years later, in 1997, I was hired as NSAI Executive Director.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Any not-for-profit, particularly one whose primary mission is advocacy, faces challenges including funding, staffing, staying relevant, etc.
The transition to the digital delivery of music versus a physical product model has brought a myriad of challenges. We fight giants — some of the largest corporations in the world, all for fair compensation for songwriters. We have been very successful, but history shows that battle will always be ongoing.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the Executive Director of the world’s largest songwriter advocacy group, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) with 100 chapters worldwide. We also own the historic Bluebird Cafe. We stage the world’s largest songwriter festival each Spring called Tin Pan South and each Fall the Nashville Songwriter Awards.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
My favorite thing about Nashville is music. But the label “Music City USA” is in jeopardy if special attention and resources are not given to what make us unique in that regard.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nsaiofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NSAIofficial
• Twitter: https://x.com/NSAIofficial