As a local singer, performer and head of the Write Around Texas songwriter's group, Connie Welch is doing her part to build the East Texas music scene.
But the already accomplished musician has recently added a new notch to her belt.
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Connie Welch, of the local Write Around Texas songwriter's group, poses with Debi Cochran, right, legislative director for the Nashville Songwriter's Association International, and Trish Matthews, left, NSAI national workshops manager. Welch recently went to Nashville to receive accreditation for her songwriting group from the NSAI.
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Welch traveled to Nashville earlier this month to get her songwriting group accredited by a the Nashville Songwriter's Association International — putting a national spotlight on East Texas music.
"The trip to Nashville was more than I anticipated," Welch said. "I have met so many wonderful people in the music industry and I keep hearing the same thing every time: 'Texas? What can we do to help?'"
Welch said she made some great contacts with the Nashville group and hopes to bring more Nashville artists to East Texas and vice versa.
"Through the NSAI, I am looking forward to more local artists gaining knowledge on how to become better songwriters and promote their music locally and in the music industry," she said.
The NSAI is the world's largest not-for-profit songwriters' trade organization, a press release stated. Established in 1967, the membership of more than 5,000 spans the United States and seven international countries.
For more than 40 years, the group has strived to serve and protect the rights of aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music, a press release stated.
"The music business is very proud of how Texas has captured its own niche in 'Texas Music.' Nowhere else as anyone been able to do that," Welch said. "This is opening the door for me more and more and it fits right into how I want to 'bring music to life' in Lufkin."
The Write Around Texas songwriter's group will perform this Saturday during the City of Lufkin and First Street Arts Center's "Art Lights Up the Pines" event in downtown Lufkin.
The night serves as the official lighting of the Pines Theater, featuring live music from Welch and her friends, as well as an art auction and culinary exhibition at the Arts Center.
Welch said her next CD project will be a song on "An East Texas Christmas CD," a collaboration from East Texas musicians that will be available this holiday season from the Mixing Room Studios in Nacogdoches.
"I am very proud one of my songs was chosen to be on this project. 'What's Everybody Gonna Say' is a song I wrote where I bring (the virgin) Mary into the 20th century," she said.
"I hope everyone will remember to pick one up for stocking stuffers. All the proceeds will go to the Nacogdoches Special Olympics challenge day."
Now back from Nashville, Welch said she is looking forward to playing with Write Around Texas and building the East Texas music scene.
The songwriting group continues to meet evenings on the first Tuesday of each month at the First Street Arts Center, in downtown Lufkin. Songwriters of all genres and styles are welcome to attend and participate, she said.
"No matter what level of writing songs you are at or even if you are thinking about songwriting as a hobby, come out and join us," Welch said.
For more information on the Write Around Texas songwriter's group, visit writearoundtexas.com.
For information on the NSAI, visit nashvillesongwriters.com.
