Sheree Spoltore Celebrates 10 Years Of Global Songwriters Connection [Interview]
Sheree Spoltore
Sheree Spoltore was raised by music in her home state of Arkansas. Her parents, Jackie and Johnny Young, were touring singers, songwriters and musicians who opened for the likes of Eddy Arnold and Ray Price when they came through their region.
Spoltore’s dad even operated a studio in the Muscle Shoals area at one time, so it was no coincidence that she took up the lifestyle of music as well. After cutting her teeth by singing in church, she went on to tour Europe, perform at Carnegie Hall and even play a presidential inauguration. She also began her songwriting journey while growing up in Arkansas.
Spoltore came to Nashville in 1995 to be part of the music industry. She says, “When you come here, it’s like breathing for the first time. Merle Kilgore, who became my mentor, gave me my first job listening to all the back catalog [at his company.]”
Thus began Spoltore’s habit to hustle. She earned a publishing deal, waited tables at the Nashville Palace and even managed to pitch songs, all while raising three kids. Her talent and charisma brought her multiple opportunities to work on the business side of things as well.
“I was really fortunate to get a world view of the music industry,” Spoltore says. “As a creative director, I got to serve the gifts and talents of legendary writer Chris Gantry, who’s known as a Music Row rogue but is an incredibly talented man.
“Then I worked for Barbara Orbison for several years and she was really good to me. Her world was a very big world and she opened up every door that she had to me,” she adds. “From there I was fortunate enough to work at NSAI for seven years. I really appreciate the opportunity that Bart Herbison gave me there to serve songwriters.”
While at NSAI, Spoltore saw a need that she felt she could help fill in the songwriter community that came through the doors.
“What I noticed was that I was able to create real success for people through one-on-one mentoring,” Spoltore says. “I like to figure out how I can maximize and amplify what makes songwriters unique and what makes them different. I get to dig for treasure. I’m a treasure hunter.”
Thus, in 2013, Spoltore opened Global Songwriters Connection to help connect songwriters to publishers and resources needed to have a successful career. The company provides mentoring, connections, song evaluations and an individualized plan to each of its members.
“I have been fortunate to facilitate over 200 publishing deals, whether it be as a connector or a facilitator,” Spoltore says. “That is done by opening up a door, making someone aware of a songwriter and putting together a plan of action that really positions that person to succeed. That is my passion.
“The motto of my company is to encourage, equip and empower creators to be making a living and a difference with their gifts and talents.”
Spoltore brings her decades of experience to her role as President of GSC. She taps into her experience as a hustling songwriter when mentoring and creating introductions for creators.
“When I opened up GSC, it was with a desire to be able to offer online services direct to market. My goal was less about [getting songwriters’] publishing deals, but more about how can I teach them to make a living. Just because you don’t get a publishing deal or a label deal, doesn’t mean you’re not supposed to be making a living with your gifts and talents.”
Spoltore’s husband Lou Spoltore of the entertainment company Live On Stage, has provided help with booking songwriters to play gigs, which has allowed them to continue to fund their dreams of being a Music Row hitmaker.
Spoltore will celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary during a mixer at the CMA Event Center on Thursday (March 30) from 5 to 7 p.m. The catered celebration sponsored by Chater Songs and ASCAP is open for public to come and go as they make their way to Tin Pan South.
GSC will also be giving out awards at the mixer, presenting the Lorna Flowers Community Encourager Awards to Warner Chappell’s Christina Wiltshire and posthumously to John Cirillo.
Spoltore sums, “It’s our way of saying thank you to the community and my industry friends for their wonderful support. We’d love to see everyone there and say hello.”
