WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2024

1 PM REGISTRATION OPEN

Sign Up Is Open... 

Sign up for your one on one 20 minute session with an entertainment lawyer, hit writers, touring musicians, publicist, music consultants, and radio personalities. These one on one sessions are included with your registration.Some of the choices you have this year are: Gwen Seale, Will Sexton, Gabe Rhodes, Cash Edwards, Freebo and more. 

Sign up for your one on one to pitch your songs to a publisher. With your registration you receive one 15 minute pitch to the publisher session of your choice. This year our publishers include: Bobby Rymer, Steve Bloch, Russ Zavitson, and Bob Dellaposta.

1:00 PM - Daytime Song Circle Session

The song circle sessions are a favorite of anyone who has attended for the last 20 years. It is an opportunity to meet new songwriters and instructors that you will be working with this weekend. These song circle sessions are so loved that by popular request we are scheduling some during the day as well as the traditional last thing in the evening. 

4:00 PM - KATHLEEN HUDSON -  The Power Of Your Story: Gathering Tools

This experiential workshop, using Dr. Hudson’s research in mythology, oral history, Bob Dylan and Texas music will give participants the opportunity to use the  shovel of their imagination to dig a bit deeper or use the key to unlock a treasure. Metaphor is all. Hudson's research includes 3 books of interviews with Texas musicians, songwriters, women and Mexican American voices. Hudson is in the English department at Schreiner University and founded/directed the Texas Heritage Music Foundation from 1987 - 2017.

5:15 PM - DINNER BREAK

8:00 PM - TEXAS MUSIC LEGENDS HALL OF FAME 2024 INDUCTION CEREMONY

This years inductees are:

Ted Branson - Texas Radio Personality

John Carrico - Photographer

Jo Rae Di Menno - Press Agent, Publicist

Henry Gonzalez (Posthumous) - Artist, Entrepreneur

John Inmon - Musician, Songwriter, Producer

Freddie Steady Krc - Musician, Songwriter

Johnny Nitzinger - Musician, Recording Artist, Songwriter

Doug Sahm (Posthumous) - Musician, Recording Artist, Songwriter

Al Staehely - Musician, Recording Artist, Songwriter

John Staehely - Musician, Recording Artist, Songwriter

NOTE: This is a very popular and well attended event. The Alumni of this group come to welcome the new inductees and reconnect with friends and family in our music community. Come get your seat and plan on an evening of comradery, gratitude, love, and some great entertainment that is going to stay with you long after it is over. 

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2024

9:00 AM - PUBLISHER PANEL - Bobby Rymer, Steve Bloch, Russ Zavitson, and Bob Dellaposta

10:30 AM - MICHAEL HEARNE - USING EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONS TO START A SONG

Michael will share a presentation on how he writes songs and some of the techniques he has learned over the years. 

With a natural ear for harmony and an aptitude for picking, Michael Hearne's destiny has been tangled in wire and wood since he first laid his hands on a guitar at the age of seven. He started touring at 16. He is a man of many awards and accomplishments and highly thought of by his peers: “Michael Hearne’s record [High Road to Taos] embodies all that I love about New Mexico. Between his whiskey velvet voice, the evocative songwriting and gorgeous musical production, I found myself profoundly aching for my favorite place in the world” – Eliza Gilkyson.  This Texas Music Legends Hall of Fame Alumni will teach a class sharing his decades of experience of writing and performing music. 

11:45 AM -  LUNCH BREAK

1:00 PM - FREEBO - "SONG DOCTOR” WORKSHOP

Freebo, is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and producer noted primarily for his work with Bonnie Raitt. He is also a session musician who has recorded and performed with Ringo Starr, John Mayall, John Hall, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Willy DeVille, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Maria Muldaur, Kate & Anna McGarrigle and many others.

In this interactive workshop, Freebo will have you play and sing a verse and chorus of your song, show you what’s working, what’s not working, why it's not working, and he will give you gentle, nurturing, supportive, and helpful hints and ideas (“doctor”) on how to make your song better without changing its inherent essence. You’ll be surprised how a few “Freebo tweaks” can take your song to a whole different level! Please do bring your guitar/keyboard and a lyric sheet.

2:30 PM - KIMMIE RHODES - STUMBLE INTO SUCCESS

This is a workshop about stories and songs with multi talented artist Kimmie Rhodes, and will be tailored to those that attend the workshop.

4:00 PM -A PANEL ABOUT EVERYTHING TO DO WITH TOURING - Amy LaVere, Will Sexton, Jim Photoglo, and Kimmie Rhodes

A Question and Answer session with professional touring artists concerning all aspects of life on the road as a musician.

5:15 PM  -  DINNER BREAK

7:00 PM -  PUBLISHER PICK - EACH OF THE PUBLISHERS WILL CHOOSE THEIR PICK OF THE DAY, INTRODUCE THE ARTIST AND TELL WHY THIS PARTICULAR SONG/ARTIST WAS CHOSEN AND THEN HAVE THE ARTIST SHARE THE SONG WITH EVERYONE.

7:30 PM -LEE STARR - WASTED WORDS

How to be concise with language and melody choices, narrative building, and emotional color.

Lee has worked with up-and-coming artists as a songwriter and producer, penning songs for Elvie Shane, Ashland Craft, Conner Smith and Drew Green.  He co-wrote Shane’s debut single, “My Boy,” which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. In the same week, “My Boy” reached the No. 4 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs with 6.6 million U.S. streams.

9:00 PM - CONCERT TBA

10:00 PM - SONG CIRCLES 

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2024

9:00 AM - RICK BUSBY

Come and get paired up with your co-write partners and get your prompts to get your songs started.

Share your songs at the afternoon session on Saturday!

10:30 AM - RUSSELL SUTTON - BREAKING DOWN A COMMERCIAL SONG: 

I’ll use "Whiskey On You” as an example, and a couple that I’ve gotten cut recently that are about to be on major artists albums. I’ll give my opinion on why we “nailed it” on the songs that have made it through the gauntlet of Nashville. When to throw in color lines vs "simple information we need to know” etc.

11:45 AM - LUNCH BREAK

During this lunch break the mic will be set up on the main stage for anyone that wants to sign up to introduce themselves and sing a couple songs. 

1:00 PM - DAYTIME SONG CIRCLES SESSIONS

The song circle sessions are a favorite of anyone who has attended for the last 20 years. 
It is an opportunity to meet new songwriters and instructors that you will be working with this 
weekend. These song circle sessions are so loved that by popular request we are scheduling some during the day as well as the traditional last thing in the evening. 

2:30 PM - MUSICIAL HOOKS PANEL  Jim Photoglo , Freebo, Russell Sutton, Lee Starr

4:00 PM - FREEBO - PARTIAL CAPO WORKSHOP

Are you tired of playing those same old boring “folk” chords," tired of all your songs sounding the same? By simply putting on a partial capo, without retuning your guitar, Freebo will show you how to create beautiful new chord voicings, making your songs more interesting and rekindling that immense creative joy you know you can have when playing guitar. This will be an interactive workshop, so bring your guitar. Kyser Partial Capos will be available for workshop use or for purchase.

5:15 PM - DINNER 

7:00 PM - PUBLISHERS PICK

EACH OF THE PUBLISHERS WILL CHOOSE THEIR PICK OF THE DAY, INTRODUCE THE ARTIST AND TELL WHY THIS PARTICULAR SONG/ARTIST WAS CHOSEN AND THEN HAVE THE ARTIST SHARE THE SONG WITH EVERYONE.

7:30 PM - RUSSELL SUTTON - TBA

9:00 PM - CONCERT - 2023 ASGI SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR - FRANCINE HONEY 

9:30 PM - CONCERT - TBA

10:00 PM - SONG CIRCLES 

The song circle sessions are a favorite of anyone who has attended for the last 20 years. 
It is an opportunity to meet new songwriters and instructors that you will be working with this 
weekend. These song circle sessions are so loved that by popular request we are scheduling some during the day as well as the traditional last thing in the evening. 

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2024

9:00 AM - LOUIE CARR - HOW TO BE HEARD ABOVE THE NOISE

Artist Manager, Louie Carr, will discuss some of what it takes to build a successful career in the modern music industry without having to compromise your creativity or the rights to our creations. As well dispel some older and more predatory practices of the music industry. 

10:30 AM - MEDIA PANEL 

Ted Branson - KOOP Radio Austin Texas

Roger Allen - KWVH Radio Wimberly Texas

Cash Edwards - Publicist - Cash Edwards Music Services

Doug Freeman - Music Journalist - Austin Chronicle

11:45 AM - CATERED LUNCH ON US! 

In the main ballroom. During lunch we will have a special program for you. 

Roger Allen will interview Will Sexton and Gabe Rhodes. Music included!!

1:45 PM - THIS IS A KODAK MOMENT! LET’S TAKE A MINUTE FOR PHOTOS WHILE WE ARE ALL TOGETHER!

2:00 PM - ROUND TABLE TALKS 

Symposium instructors will be at different tables in the main ball room. You are welcometo join in the conversation at any of the tables. Move from table to table as you wish. This is an opportunity to meet them and ask any follow up questions you might have from any of their classes, or just introduce yourself and tell them a little about your music. 

3:30 PM - LEE STARR - MUSIC THEORY FOR SONGWRITERS

A not-too-technical approach to music theory and its place in the songwriters toolkit.

Lee has worked with up-and-coming artists as a songwriter and producer, penning songs for Elvie Shane, Ashland Craft, Conner Smith and Drew Green.  He co-wrote Shane’s debut single, “My Boy,” which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. In the same week, “My Boy” reached the No. 4 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs with 6.6 million U.S. streams.

4:45 PM - RICK BUSBY 

SHARE THE SONG YOU WROTE THIS WEEKEND

5:45 PM - DINNER BREAK

7:30 PM - PUBLISHERS PICK

EACH OF THE PUBLISHERS WILL CHOOSE THEIR PICK OF THE DAY, INTRODUCE THE ARTIST AND TELL WHY THIS PARTICULAR SONG/ARTIST WAS CHOSEN AND THEN HAVE THE ARTIST SHARE THE SONG WITH EVERYONE.

8:00 PM -  CONCERT WITH RUSSELL SUTTON AND LEE STARR

9:00 PM -  SONG CIRCLES

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2024

10:00 AM - TED LOWE - CHOICE TRACKS

“HACKS FOR SYNC - FRIENDLY TRACKS (SONGS AND RECORDINGS)"

Ted Lowe is a Music Publisher and Indie Label focused on Film, Television, Advertising, Movie Trailer, and Video Game Music. Co-Executive Producer of Position Music's Production Music Series. Co-Executive Producer and A&R on numerous artist albums administered by Position Music in North America, and by Kobalt Music for the rest of the world. Artists include Stella Mwangi, Y2, MIIA, The DNC, & Jess Penner.

11:30 AM -  RUSSELL SUTTON - TBA

1:00 PM - LET’S MEET IN THE MAIN BALLROOM FOR PHOTOS AND GOODBYES!