Note: Page under construction
Today
Poppy Peach-Nichols
Executive Director, Oct 2018 – Dec 2023
After a considerable search, the WCS board selected Poppy Nichols as Ian Crombie’s successor and Poppy took the helm of WCS directly before the pandemic. No doubt the first major task on Poppy’s to-do list was the most unexpected. deftly executing a pivot to support the organization’s statewide membership of songwriters and musicians, many of whom were hit especially hard by closures of performance, entertainment and dining venues. As events played out across the world, Poppy harnessed the power of WCS members and dedicated volunteers to successfully transition many WCS programs to online delivery while adjusting or eliminating many program fees to enable WCS community members to stay engaged and support one another during a period in which many incomes were dramatically affected. Most notably, under Poppy’s leadership the organization’s signature annual conference and many workshops and live monthly events continued uninterrupted during these unprecedented times.
Many of you had the opportunity to get to know Poppy prior to her tenure as Executive Director, as an energetic and dedicated volunteer for WCS, during a span of service over many years. For more than a decade, Poppy and her wonderful family managed all of the catering and food service for WCS annual conferences and also managed the WCS Davis Chapter. Prior to WCS, as an independent Project Manager for two musicals, “Zuccotti Park” and “Rumpelstiltskin the Game of the Name” Poppy both demonstrated and advanced her strong entrepreneurial and leadership skills bringing two very different musicals to life in multiple major markets. She thrives in an environment that lends itself to collaboration, creating new ideas and fostering a strong sense of community. Poppy’s gifts as a natural leader and roll up your sleeves contributor; her ability to drive a complex arts-related project from idea to NYC production; her respect and concern for songwriters and artists as a community; and her demonstrated ability to get things done are impossible to overlook. They are the core elements of Poppy’s DNA and reinforced why she was exactly the right person to head up WCS upon Ian’s retirement.
As many of you know, Poppy’s family decision to relocate to Nashville prompted her departure as the full-time leader of West Coast Songwriters. Poppy continues to be a huge supporter of WCS, and would love to welcome anyone from the WCS community on future visits to Nashville, If you’re living and working in the Nashville music community, Poppy would love to say hello and invite your participation with WCS. You can reach Poppy via her website. Poppy is forever a part of the WCS family and community.
Ian Crombie
Executive Director Emeritus
Executive Director, Mar 1988 – Oct 2018
Ian Crombie, Executive Director Emeritus had been an integral part of the growth of West Coast Songwriters (WCS) since 1988. With his leadership WCS grew to one of the most active songwriter associations in the United States with over fifteen events per month up and down the West Coast. In 2008 Music Connection Magazine named Crombie as one of the Top 50 Innovators, iconoclasts, Groundbreakers and Guiding Lights of the Year.
Ian built a strong community of musicians, songwriters, producers and song pluggers who continued to work together in an informal, creative and unique style which includes song competitions, workshops, seminars and the yearly highlight, WCS’s “Up Close and Personal” Annual Music Conference.
Crombie served a number of years on the Board of the Recording Academy and was part of the Grammy Education Committee. He taught songwriting from elementary to college level, helping students to collect their ideas and turn them into meaningful songs.
Ian is also an accomplished songwriter. He made his first record in 1967, in Birmingham England (when 4 track machines were king). He toured the UK with various bands and performed in the San Francisco Bay Area with his band Nudge Club before taking on the position at West Coast Songwriters. His songs have been placed in TV and Film, including songs on ITV in England, Touched by an Angel, Promised Land, Interface, General Hospital, Powder Park, Access Hollywood and Another World. In addition, Ian produced and licensed music for the Oscar winning film As Good As it Gets. He produced a number of acts including D’Viniti, an Oakland based rap group and artists and songs for the Kids Rock record. As a songwriter he cowrote a dozen songs with Irish Artist, Nicole Maguire with one song, “Hummingbird” being included on Nicole’s “Wishing Well” record.
Ian retired as Executive Director in January of 2020 taking the title of Executive Directive Emeritus.
2016
George Merrill (Boy Meets Girl, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”, “Waiting on a Falling Star”) at the WCS Conference
2009
Sara Bareilles, Eoin Harrington and Karmina perform at the WCS benefit concert
2005
WCS Compilation CD is sponsored by CDBaby.com. More WCS members get signed to major labels. WCS provides music for the first Palo Alto Promenade of Film & Music Festival. WCS board expands to 15 members. Launches new member-friendly website. Expands focus to improve musical genre diversification.
Northern California Songwriters Association (NCSA) Conference 1991
1988
Ian Crombie hired as a managing Director to help build programs and membership then accepts invitation to serve as Executive Director. Newsletter is developed and finances are tracked. Works in Progress is added as an event in three locations: North Bay, South Bay and Monterey Bay and more WCS members score hits with major artists.
Newsletter 1983
SBSA Showcase 1986
1986 Conference Preview
1982
1980
Developed first annual Songwriters Conference. Presented first monthly “Demo Derbies” now called Songscreenings. Provided first Song Classes in San Francisco with Hit Songwriter Andre Pessis. Jayne and Janice White join WCS and are later signed in 1990 to Curb Records in Nashville.
1979
South Bay Songwriters Association is founded by talented songwriters who joined forces to write stronger songs, and create more opportunities to market them. See Our Founders