We suspended SongCasters tapings in 2020 when Covid-19 shut down our cable TV taping facility (SPNN in Saint Paul). We will notify our members when and if Songcasters is rebooted.
Click in upper left corner of YouTube window to access a playlist of MAS TV showcase performances. Please email info@mnsongcasters.org for inquiries about SongCasters.
History of Minnesingers and Songcasters
In 2011, MAS initiated a benefit program for its members called Minnesingers. The program involved videotaping members at metro-area, public-access television stations and creating half-hour TV shows. Initially called Minnesingers, and then rebranded as Songcasters, member volunteers distributed the shows to public-access stations around the USA. Benefits of this program, which was free to MAS members, included:
- Real-time experience in the aspects of television performance and production
- Knowledge about the differences between audio and video studio performances and technologies
- Advancing their music careers via nationwide, on-air promotion of members' original music
- Free copies of their taped performances for personal promotional efforts (web sites, social media, etc.)
- Unlimited taping sessions for the SongCasters show
SongCasters episodes and individual song videos are posted at the Minnesota Association of Songwriters YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/MNAssnSongwriters
"I've been an MAS member for three years now, and it's the best $35/year I've ever spent. I've gotten to know so many talented and friendly people, and I'm also enjoying my stint as Social Media Director. More than anything, I'd like to say how lucky most of you are that you live in the Metro area…do yourself a favor and take advantage of EVERY MAS event, venue, workshop, and service we offer. Your songs will thank you someday!" – Carl Unbehaun
Details of cable TV production and distribution
(As noted above, Songcasters is currently suspended)
Each month MAS members, either solo or with their bands, tape individual sets of original songs. All songs from the taping sessions are placed in a pool of music from which songs can be drawn to edit into each episode of SongCasters. The format of those episodes typically consists of six to eight members performing one of the songs captured at their taping session.
Episodes of our video showcase program are being aired on 36 public-access TV channels serving over 300 cities in seven states (CA, MA, MD, MN, MO, ND and WI). Nearly five million people currently have access to original music by MAS members!
We originally planned a specific number of 30-minute programs for CATV channels; however, with new-member and "return-appearance" sessions, we see no end to this project. We have original-music programming ready for use by public-access TV program directors anywhere in America. Most networks have scheduled us on consistent days & times each week, so you can mark show dates on your calendar. Be sure to tell your local friends to tune in.
No matter where you live in the USA, if you have public-access TV in your town, MAS can provide episodes for airing on your local station. Contact us with information about your station by emailing info@mnsongwriters.org! We love hearing directly from stations that are interested in our TV show!
