What is the Austin Songwriters Group?

ASG was founded in 1987 by Christine Albert and Tommy Pierce. It is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide resources to Austin area songwriters.

We provide seminars, workshops, performance opportunities, and a large network of other songwriters. We also serve as an important link between aspiring/professional songwriters and the music industry.

ASG is a long-standing, evolving community of volunteer songwriters serving other songwriters and we welcome members both nationally and internationally.

Join us at one of our weekly or monthly meetings or events and learn how ASG can serve in your songwriting career.

What can ASG offer me?

MEETINGS

Currently, we offer meetings at 3105 Manchaca Rd. that help songwriters refine their works, get feedback, and practice their craft. At each meeting, we discuss the many facets of songwriting. Those include the art of songwriting, song structures, hooks, lyrical and melodic/harmonic composition and co-writing, among other topic of interest to songwriters.

We also cover the business side of songwriting, which includes Q & A sessions with panelists whose focus is in production, recording, publishing, song pitching, radio and legal/contractual issues.

ASG SYMPOSIUM

Every January, ASG hosts a three-day conference that will get your 2009 songwriting goals off to a roaring start. Present at the conference are songwriters, music publisher instructors, producers, publicists, music journalists, radio personalities and recording engineers. The ASG Symposium has something for songwriters at every level of experience. The entire weekend is packed with workshops, seminars, song pitch sessions, showcases and song circles that go into the wee hours.

ASG PRE-SXSW AT THREADGILL'S

Our annual pre-sxsw fundraiser benefits the Austin community.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

In the past we have offered showcase opportunities at the Mockingbird Cafe, Threadgill's, Saxson Pub, Gibson guitar showroom, among other venues throughout the year.

WORKSHOPS

On an ongoing basis, we host publisher, songwriting, co-writing, recording workshops, as well as a range of other workshops tailored to the education and development of songwriters at all levels. Recently, we have hosted publisher workshops with Nashville publishers Bobby Rymer and Michelle Berlin; songwriter workshops with Radney Foster, Kevin Welch, and Kimmie Rhodes, among others. These are great opportunities to meet and learn from professionals in the industry.

CONCERTS

ASG also hosts concerts with aspring and professional songwriters alike throughout the year at various events. Past participants include Sonny Throckmorton, Allen Shamblin, Chuck Cannon, Monte Warden, David Lee, Bill Carter, Ruth Ellsworth Carter, Will Sexton, among many others.

NEWSLETTER

We send out a monthly e-newsletter to update members on ASG events.

SONG CONTESTS

We host two song contests in both the spring and fall. Past grand-prize winners have been mentored by Radney Foster, Will Callorey, Monte Warden, Marvin Dykhuis, Steven Doster, Bill and Ruth Carter, and recorded in Willie Nelson's studio.

...And don't forget to:

• Follow us on Twitter: AustinSongGroup

• Join our Facebook group: Austin Songwriters Group

• Friend us on MySpace: Austin Songwriters Group