Monte Warden Returns To ASG Songwriter Symsposium To Perform & Facilitate Workshops
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.
5th Annual ASG Songwriters Symposium
January 9-11, 2009 in Austin Member's Registration Page
NOTE: If you are NOT a current ASG member, go to the non-members page to register.
Only One Week Remains To Register For 2009 ASG Songwriter Symposium!
It is hard to believe we are one week away from the 5th Annual ASG Songwriter Symposium. If you attended last year's event, then you know what a great time was had by all. This year's event promises to be bigger than ever as the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Austin plays host to this year's installment. The symposium takes place next weekend, January 9-11. If you want to save money on registration fees AND be entered for a chance to win a songwriting mentorship with hit songwriter-producer, Radney Foster, then you need to register online from this page before Midnight January 8, 2009.
If you have never attended the ASG Songwriters Symposium in the past, then what you need to know is that entire event is geared towards helping songwriters improve their craft, learn more about the business of songwriting, have opportunities to pitch songs directly to publishers and producers, perform in showcases and then stay up all night in song pickin' circles. It is the perfect weekend opportunity to network with other songwriters and music industry professionals and the best possible way you could kick start your songwriting goals for 2009.
2009 ASG Songwriter Symposium Faculty & Workshops
This year's faculty is stacking up to be the most impressive line up we have had yet with first time instructors, including Jimmie LaFave, Chuck Cannon and Gurf Morlix, joining up with some of the returning faculty like Grammy-nominated songstress Kimmie Rhodes, former Austin Songwriter of the Year Will Sexton, Platinum songwriter Monte Warden, producers Stephen Doster and Marvin Dykhuis, publishing executive Brandi Warden, among many others. ASG executive Director, Lee Duffy, continues to work diligently to add to the faculty and hopes to pull in another star guest or two before the weekend.
Additionally, Lee has created an impressive roster of workshops led by the faculty that will get you geared up for everything from songwriting and co-writing, insights into the publishing business, everything you want to know about house concerts, live performance, studio production,touring Europe and much more. Every year the most well-attended workshops are the song pitch sessions where writers have the opportunity to "pitch" their songs directly to publishers and producers.
Showcases and Song Pickin' Circles
In the evenings, after the workshops have concluded, on Friday and Saturday nights the rooms will be set up for showcases. To participate in the showcases, you must be a registrant for the Symposium. The cost for each showcase slot is $35 and is an add-on price to the Symposium registration fees. You can add one (1) showcase from this page along with your online registration for the Symposium. If you wish to have more than one showcase,go to the showcase page and add the desired quantity to your cart before proceeding to checkout. If you are registering for more than one showcase, we will stagger the scheduling across both nights. ASG reserves the right to set all showcase times.
After the showcases are done, then the real fun begins as songwriters convene in every nook and cranny we can find for all-night pickin' sessions. You will be exhausted by the end of the weekend from all the activity, but you are guaranteed to be rejuvenated, invigorated, inspired and ready to take on 2009.
Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Austin Hosting the Symposium
This year's event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Austin. For those who wish to stay at the hotel for the weekend, the Hilton has set aside a block of rooms at a special rate for those attending the event. To reserve your sleeping accommodations, contact the Hilton directly, either online or by phone. The following information will be all you need to know to get you pointed in the right direction.
To book your room online:
1. Access the Hilton website with the URL: www.hgiaustin.com
2. Input the check in/check out date, then click on GO.
3. Scroll down to Special Accounts, Input the Group/Convention Code in the designated Box.
4. Your code is: ASG
5. Click on continue.
6. Choose room type and click continue.
7. Finsh the booking and save the confirmation number for your reference.
To reserve your rooms by phone, call toll free 877.782.9444 and give them your code: ASG
To book a room on shoulder dates, or to extend your stay, call the hotel itself directly at 512.457.7943.
The Hilton Garden Inn is loacted in Downtown Austin at:
500 North I.H. 35
Austin, Texas 78701
More Details To Follow...
As stated above, we are continuing to work on details for the event and there may be additional breaking news about the Syposium as we get closer to the date. So, be sure to check back with the website often to get as much information as you can before the event. But, do not delay on registering if you wish to save yourself some money. Either way, make your plans to be there and get your 2009 songwriting year started off on the right foot, so to speak. To register online, see the details below and we look forward to seeing you there.
Registration Fees and Deadlines
There are two price lines, one for currently active members and one for non-members. The difference between the two prices is $50 additional for non-members; however, the additional $50 pays your dues for 2009 and guarantees that you will be able to renew your membership in perpetuity each year for the same rate, as long as you do not allow your membership to lapse. ASG membership fees are due to increase to $100 a year starting February 1, so it is in your best interest to become a new member or renew your current membership before then as you will only pay $50 a year to renew thereafter.
The baseline member price is $175 and that price will be good until Midnight January 8, 2009. On January 9, the member registration price will go to $225 at the door.
The baseline non-member price until midnight January 8, 2009 is $225. On January 9, the non-member walk-up registration price at the door for is $275. If you are not a currently active ASG member, click here to register at the non-member rate. Remember, your registration price includes your membership dues for 2009. If you do not have a credit card and cannot pay through PayPal online, then you may send a check to:
ASG Songwriter Symposium
PO Box 2578
Austin, Texas 78768
If you have any questions or problems, send an email to: info@austinsongwritersgroup.com or call Lee Duffy at 512.698.4237
If you are not a currently active ASG member, click here to register at the non-member rate. Remember, your registration price includes your membership dues for 2009. Otherwise, if you are a currently active ASG member, you may proceed to registering directly below.
Joining Austin Songwriters Group only takes a couple of minutes. Just fill out a Member Registration form along with a purchase of at least a 1 year membership.
If you would like to donate to the Austin Songwriters Group please go our donation page add a donation to your cart.
Fill out a Donation Form and then proceed to the normal checkout!
Check out our sponsors below. They have helped make it possible for us to put on the symposium.
Do512 is a great local website that can be used to find the hottest events and shows in the Austin area. Representatives from Do512 will be part of a discussion panel so look for the time on the schedule.
Broadcast Music, Inc. collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it distributes as royalties to songwriters, composers & music publishers
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The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) consists of a body of creative minds, including songwriters from all genres of music, professional and amateur, who are committed to protecting the rights and future of the profession of songwriting, and to educate, elevate, and celebrate the songwriter and to act as a unifying force within the music community and the community at large.
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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.
