Monte Warden received his first Austin Music Award (for Best New Band) when he was all of 15-years old for his country tio Whoa Trigger!, which later led to the establishment of his next band The Wagoneers. That band was signed to a deal with A&M after performing at the very first SXSW Music Conference. The Wagoneer's debut record Sout and High was released to worldwide critical acclaim and is widely considered one of the best country records of the 80s. The early to mid-90s found Warden launching a solo career resulting in three albums featuring his signature blend of Buddy Holly hooks, hot rockabilly guitar licks and straight up Texas honky-tonk. His self-titled solo debut was named one of the 100 Best Americana albums of the 20th century by NME. However, Warden's biggest success has been as a professional songwriter landing cuts on movie and television soundtracks, while selling millions of records with artists Kelly Willis, George Jones, Patty Loveless, Bruce Robison, Travis Tritt, George Strait and Carrie Underwood. He co-wrote the George Strait #1 smash hit "Desperately." In the fall of 2005, that song netted Monte his first BMI songwriting award, followed in March 2006 by the prestigious BMI "Million Air" award, signifying over 1 million radio broadcast performances of the song.

 

Monte has been a long-time supporter of the Austin Songwriters Group, which resulted in his receiving an award at the 2008 ASG Symposium for his service to the organization, appropriately titled "The Monte." ASG intends to give out the award each year to an individual who has worked diligently in the previous year to support the songwriters in the Austin Songwriter Group membership. At this year's Symposium, Monte will be leading a songwriting class, co-facilitating song pitch sessions and performing in the instructor concerts. He is returning to the ASG Symposium as an Instructor for the 5th time and we appreciate his long-running service to ASG.