Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association Teams Up With Jack Ingram and ASCAP Foundation in Search of the Next Great Young Songwriter

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association, in collaboration with country music artist Jack Ingram and The ASCAP Foundation, today launched Texas Songwriter U (TxSU). TxSU is an educational program and songwriting competition which serves to identify the best young adult songwriters in Texas, while improving upon the quality and quantity of professional songwriting across our state.

Beginning today, September 15th, TxSU will accept submissions across all musical genres to its inaugural songwriting contest at texassongwriteru.com. Songwriters across Texas between the ages of 18 and 30 are invited to upload their two best songs for consideration. Music industry professionals will blindly rate each song, and the winning entry will receive the opportunity to open a show for Jack Ingram, a recording demo and more.

"I love this business because I love every piece of making music, so it's really easy for me to put my heart and energy into giving back to young songwriters," says Ingram. "Writing songs is therapeutic, especially in the tough times when you're figuring out who you really are, so I hope that I can offer some perspective to these young artists who are just starting out. We all know that Texas is rich with talent and characters--think about how much fun I get to have helping them tell their story."

Applicants must either have been born in Texas or currently reside within the state. These applicants cannot hold a current publishing agreement. Both self-publishing and co-written songs are accepted and the songwriter's uploaded songs may be performed by another voice talent. A $25 processing fee is required of all contest applicants.

On November 1, 2014, the Texas Songwriter U will award its top eight finalists with an invitation to visit Austin November 19 – 21 and participate in a two-day songwriting workshop taught by several award-winning artists, including Jack Ingram and Gary Nicholson. These finalists will also perform at The Saxon Pub in a Showcase event alongside Jack Ingram, Gary Nicholson and other professional songwriters.

Texas Songwriter U will announce an overall winner at the conclusion of the showcase event in Austin. The winner will earn: an opening act at a show for Jack Ingram; a recording studio demo session in Austin; an all-expense paid trip to Nashville to meet with ASCAP's Senior Creative Director, Michael Martin; a meeting with BE Music and Entertainment Executive, Tim DuBois;  attendance to a Bluebird Cafe show with Nashville music executives; and an invitation to attend the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Hall of Fame Award Show.

"Texas has always produced more than its fair share of excellent songwriters over the years and many of them have moved on to make significant contributions to the music industry," says Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association Executive Director Michelle Johnson. "We are proud to be partnered up with Jack Ingram and ASCAP Foundation, working together to discover excellent young songwriters while keeping the art and craft of songwriting alive and well across the entire Texas music community."

About: Texas Songwriter U
Texas Songwriter U is an educational program and songwriting competition that serves and celebrates Texas songwriters. Founded in 2014, its mission is to identify the best young adult songwriters throughout Texas, while improving upon the quality and quantity of professional songwriting across our state.

Media Contact: For Media Inquiries, Interview and Photos
Guest Public, Jason Z. Guest, +1-512-703-0426, [email protected]

SOURCE Texas Songwriter U