About Texas Songwriter U

Texas Songwriter U (TxSU) is an annual songwriting development program consisting of a songwriting competition, educational workshop and showcase event.

Founded in 2014, the mission of TxSU serves to identify, develop and support the best adult songwriters in Texas, while improving upon the quality and quantity of professional songwriting across our state. Texas Songwriter U is a 501(c)(3) non-profit fully supported with the help of American country music artist Jack Ingram, Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI), and The Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association. Without question, Texas has always produced more than its fair share of excellent songwriters over the years. The goal of TxSU is to keep the art and craft of songwriting alive and well in the great state of Texas. Each year, TxSU is in communication with universities, communications outlets, music departments, Texas artists, venues, songwriter associations, and recording studios to discover emerging songwriters and assist them in becoming better songwriters.

We encourage Texas native and resident songwriters over the age of 18 to participate in Texas Songwriter U. Eight All-Star finalists are invited to Austin and provided workshop development, industry access, and performance opportunities. At the conclusion of each program, one selected songwriting winner becomes the recipient of such goodwill as co-writes, performances, festivals, residencies, studio time, and a new guitar.

Alumni

We consider all Texas Songwriter U alumni as All-Stars, who are the beneficiaries of continued development opportunities. Past examples of opportunities have included performances at Texas Monthly’s Edge of Texas Fest, Independence Day concerts, USO rounds and tours at Fort Hood, residencies in Key West, Texas Songwriter U Summer Camps, and participation in the Buddy Holly Education Foundation’s inaugural Buddy Holly Songwriter Retreat in Lubbock, Texas.

Mentors

The success of this program would not be possible without the time, dedication and support of both past and present award-winning songwriter workshop mentors including Gary Nicholson, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jon Randall, Liz Rose, Radney Foster, Shawn Camp, Chase Bryant, Charlie Sexton, and Alexander Palmer.

Texas Songwriter U History

With the goal of keeping the art and craft of songwriting alive and well in the great state of Texas, Jack Ingram has collaborated with the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) to bring you TEXAS SONGWRITER U. We are in constant search of the next great songwriter.

Texas Songwriter U (TxSU) is an annual songwriting development program comprised of a songwriting competition, educational workshop and showcase event. Founded in 2014, the mission of TxSU serves to identify, develop and support the best adult songwriters in Texas, while improving upon the quality and quantity of professional songwriting across our state.