csaeventhistory

CSA began in New London, Connecticut in 1979, as a weekly Songwriter Showcase.
It has since grown to be one of the oldest and most respected songwriter
associations in the country.

Combining arts, education, and community outreach, CSA has provided monthly programs without interruption, since 1979, with noted guest speakers. At times, there have been programs every week. More than 200 music industry professionals have been guest speakers at CSA meetings, and CSA has presented hundreds of Songwriter Showcases and major concert events. In addition to the milestones listed below, a detailed history of the first 10 years of CSA (1979-1989) can be found here.

1979	Media Showcase at Rudy’s Pier One in New London
1980	“Connecticut Songsmith” begins publication
1979-1983	5 Annual New London Sail Festivals
1980-1983	4 Annual United Cerebral Palsy Telethons
1980-1984	March of Dimes Telethons - New London
1980-1985	Songwriters Showcases around the State
1981	Mystic Seaport Green Concert
1981	New Haven Green Concert
1982	Expo ‘82 Groton-New London Airport
1983	Folkfest at Connecticut College - New London
1986-1988	“Up on Living” concerts in Waterbury
1987-1988	Video Showcases - Storer Cable - Groton
1988	Levitt Pavilion Songwriters Invitational - Westport
1989	10th Year Anniversary Showcase - Meriden
1989-present	�Best of CSA� Compilation Cassette/CD series
1990-1993	Two Benefit Concerts for Connecticut Hospice
1990-1991	Benefits for Cornerstone Soup Kitchen
1990-1992	Earth Day Celebration Concert - Mystic
1991-present	Harry Chapin Legacy Shows for Hunger Relief , launching the LUNCH program (raising more than $400,000 to date.)
1991	Tom Callinan becomes the first Official Connecticut State Troubadour
1994	Songwriters Showcase at Warner Center for the Arts - Torrington
1994	Kidstock Benefit for inner city kids - New Haven
1995	Bill Pere becomes the 4th Official Connecticut State Troubadour
1995-present	The LUNCH Holiday Show series begins
1995-1998	Concerts with the Steve Chapin Band
1997-present	CSA Holiday Compilation CD series
1996-1998	All Troubadour Concerts - Garde Arts Center, Sacred Heart University & Cheney Hall
1998	President Don Donegan's 4th trip to Nashville to pitch CSA members' songs
1996-present	Sale of CSA recordings in retail outlets like Border Books & Music and The Connecticut Store in Waterbury & Mystic
1999	An entire year of special events to celebrate CSA's 20th Anniversary
1999	New London 20th Anniversary Showcase Series.
2000	CSA goes online with its first web site
2002	Songwriters Night at The Buttonwood begins in Middletown
2002	CSA Reunion Showcase at the Vanilla Bean Cafe
2002	CSA initiates the online e-group CT Songs Cafe
2003	CSA switches to electronic Newsletter distribution
2003	CSA is represented by Bill Pere at the Philadelphia Independent Music Conference and at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Convention. Bill is named national Indie Artist of the Year at the IMC.
2004	The Connecticut Songwriting and Performance Conference, Three Rivers College with Jen Chapin, Alex Forbes, and a host of great presenters
2004	The Mystic River Concert Series and the Pine Loft Showcase Series
2004	CSA's biggest year so far, celebrating 25 years of serving the songwriting community. More than 40 events during the year !
2004	CSA's newsletter, Connecticut Songsmith, celebrates its 300th Issue !
2004	Nancy Tucker is named Indie Artist of the Year at the national IMC
2005	Mystic River Folk enters its Second Season
2005	CSA issues its 10th Compilation CD of new songs, along with bonus tracks from the original 1989 compilation
2005	CSA is a major sponsor and participant in the first New England Music Expo
2006	Mystic River Folk continues for a third season.
2006	CSA goes to Dallas and Philadelphia as sponsors of the Independent Music Conferences.
2006	CSA has great Pro Workshops, with hit writer Alan Roy Scott, Dick Gabrielle of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, and Grammy Winner Mike Hopkins
2007	CSA's Kay Pere receives an Immie Award at the 2007 Independent Music Conference in Philadelphia.
2007	CSA Artists perform with the Original Harry Chapin Band at the Shubert Theater in New Haven, raising more than $20,000 to provide services for the homeless.
2007	CSA has great Pro Workshops with Marci Geller from NYC and Gilli Moon from L.A.
2007	CSA presents a very successful CD Release Event for it's Spiritual compilation CD "Along the Road"
2008	CSA Artists are invited for an encore perfor,amce perform with the Original Harry Chapin Band at the Shubert Theater in New Haven, raising money to provide services for the homeless.
2008	CSA presents a Master Class Workshop with Pat Pattison from the Berklee School of Music.
2008	CSA goes to New Jersey, West Virginia, and Philladelphia as Music Conference Sponsors and presenters.