The SongTown Country Edge Group

Join top music publishers Tenasie Courtright, Lexi Stringer, Michael August, Elizabeth Brahan and Nathan Thomas, along with a limited number of SongTown writers, to gain real-life training and opportunities.

The goal of the Edge Group:

  • To mentor writers to the next level by working with top publishers.
  • To teach writers how to cast their songs for a particular artist.
  • To offer single song contracts and pitch songs that are ready!
  • To prepare country songwriters for SongTown Staff Club or staff writers with top publishers.
  • To give writers monthly feedback on one song from a publisher’s perspective.

Each month, the Edge Group writers get:

  • A 60-minute online staff writer meeting with a top publisher. You’ll go over the most up-to-date pitch sheet available and will tell you what artists give you the best shot for a cut. You’ll also be learning what those artists are looking for.
  • A writing assignment aimed at several major label artists.
  • Feedback on the prior month’s writing assignment. Each month, your publishing mentor will tell you why your song didn’t work or what makes it a song that he can pitch.

The publishers meet monthly with “The Edge” writers in an online video room to coach and mentor in a group staff writer setting.  They give feedback on the monthly submission from each writer in the SongTown forum.  Although the group is primarily designed to get your writing to the next level, they will pitch any song they feel is pitch-worthy!  If you’ve been feeling like you are “on the edge,” apply now to be in The EdgeGroup and let the SongTown “edge” help you succeed with your music!

When spots open up in the elite SongTown Staff Writer Club, we’ll choose members from this Edge Group!

Meet the Instructors

JWS - Tenasie Headshot

Tenasie Courtright

CREATIVE MANAGER AT JODY WILLIAMS SONGS

Starting her collegiate career at Belmont University in 2013, Tenasie has called Nashville home for a little over ten years. With a degree in Music Business and years of experience in multiple industries, most recently holding a position as Brand Ambassador at a logistics company, Tenasie has worked at Jody Williams Songs since November 2022.

Tenasie assists in day-to-day operations for the publishing company and helps manage the company's impressive roster - Vince Gill, Ashley McBryde, Natalie Hemby, Jason Nix, Driver Williams, Harper O’Neill, Peytan Porter, Andy Austin, Jeremy Spillman, Greg Bates, and Trent Dabbs.

Lexi Stringer

A&R AT SONY MUSIC

Before moving to Sony Music, Lexi worked extensively with Riser House Entertainment's writers and catalog; which includes the #1 hit songs “Drunk Me” (Mitchell Tenpenny) and “Nobody” (Dylan Scott) and songs recorded and released by Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line, Granger Smith, Chris Young, Dan + Shay, Gary Allan, Dillon Carmichael, Big & Rich, Seaforth, Boy Named Banjo, Conor Matthews, Joey Hendricks, Lainey Wilson, and more.

Lexi-Southerland-SongTown-Edge
Country Edge Group | Country Songwriters | SongTown

Michael August

GENERAL MANAGER AT DEMOLITION MUSIC

As the GM, Michael oversees the company’s day-to-day operations including, creative and strategic partnerships, synch licensing, and artist development. He has also had numerous placements in TV and Film such as American Idol, HBO, Netflix, MTV, Lifetime, including the end credits to song “Ride” in the movie “Walk. Ride. Rodeo.” (which was also released as a single by the film’s actor, Max Ehrich). Michael works in multiple genres excelling in Country, Pop, and TV/Film.

Elizabeth Brahan

DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING AT SPROCKETS MUSIC

Before Sprockets, Elizabeth gained experience working at top indie powerhouse publishers including; Combustion Music, Big Loud, and Big Yellow Dog Music. She was instrumental in the day to day publishing duties and label services for hit writers; Florida Georgia Line, Meghan Trainor, Brett James, Ashley Gorley, Craig Wiseman, Maren Morris, Josh Kear, Tenille Townes, Chris Gelbuda, Rodney Clawson, Adam Sanders, Jessie James Decker, Chris Lane, Jim Beavers, and Chris Tompkins.

Country Edge Group | Country Songwriters | SongTown

Nathan Thomas

A&R MANAGER, SONY MUSIC

Before joining Sony Music, Nathan Thomas worked as the Streaming / Marketing Consultant for Big Machine Label Group. He is now an A&R Manager at Sony.

1549332142034

Application Process

A $15 application fee is required for consideration.  When you apply, you will receive an email with instructions on how to upload your 2 best songs for review.

Membership

The Country Edge program is $60 per month. The application does not require a SongTown membership. If accepted, membership is required.