The SongTown Country Edge Group

Join top music publishers Elizabeth Brahan, Casadie Pederson, Courtney Kruckeberg and Tenasie Courtright, 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

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Tenasie Courtright

DIRECTOR, CREATIVE & A&R, JODY WILLIAMS SONGS

Tenasie Courtright, first name pronounced like the state, is originally from Las Vegas, NV. Starting her collegiate career at Belmont University in 2013, Tenasie has called Nashville home for a little over ten years. Tenasie joined Jody Williams Songs in 2022. Tenasie's diverse work experiences in tandem with her musical background, give her a unique perspective in this creative and dynamic industry. Her ability to collaborate and communicate with both the writers and her team on such an impressive level, have played a predominant role in her success at JWS - resulting in promotion titles from Creative Coordinator to Creative Manager, and now Director of Creative & A&R.

Tenasie performs hands-on A&R for JWS writer-artists Emily Ann Roberts, Ashley McBryde, Harper O’Neill and Peytan Porter, as well as 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.

Courtney Kruckeberg

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT ENDURANCE MUSIC GROUP

Courtney Kruckeberg is the Creative Director at Endurance Music Group, where she oversees the day-to-day needs of the EMG roster, including songwriter/artists Matt Stell, Tripp Howell (LANCO), Callie Prince, Abbey Cone, and producer/writers Seth Alley and Lenny Pey. She’s also responsible for pitching EMG’s current and back catalog of hits, and has helped secure cuts with artists Cody Johnson, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, Gabby Barrett, and more. She has been named to MusicRow Magazine’s 2025 and 2026 “Next Big Thing” lists of rising music industry leaders. Kruckeberg is currently part of the AIMP YP (Young Professional) committee and previously served as Admin Director for the AIMP Nashville Board for five years. She is a current member of the CMA, ACM, and TONS. Prior stops include Catalog Manager at HoriPro Entertainment/Mojo Music and Royalty Coordinator at ClearBox Rights.
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Casadie Pederson

OWNER, MUSE CREATIVE / A&R CONSULTANT, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING

Casadie Pederson moved to Nashville in 2019 where she opened Muse Creative Management, providing artist management, A&R Services, as well as royalty rights admin services. Over the years she has served as a creative consultant for multiple prominent publishing companies in Nashville. She continues to provide A&R services for projects, finding artists great songs with her strong ties to the publishing community.

Her current roster of management clients includes Emerson Drive and Danick Dupelle's production company and Nashville-based studio, Vibe Recordings. In 2025, she added Lee Brice's writer group to her roster, which she manages alongside Sony Music Publishing Nashville. Pederson also consults for multiple US companies, including Riser House Entertainment where she serves as a Canadian consultant as well as Concord Music Publishing where she pitches their extensive catalog of songs to the A&R and label communities to both the Nashville and Canadian markets.

Elizabeth Brahan

VP, PUBLISHING / ARTIST MANAGEMENT, NASHVILLE AT 10TH STREET ENTERTAINMENT

In her role at 10th Street, Elizabeth is spearheading the Nashville publishing division of the company. She’s currently working with Nashville writer/artists: Lecade, Kanaan Brock, Justin Holt, and more. Before joining 10th Street Entertainment, Elizabeth gained experience working at top indie powerhouse publishers including; Combustion Music, Big Loud, and Big Yellow Dog Music. Over the years, she has worked with many artist/writers including: 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. Most recently, she was brought on to run a start up publishing company, Sprockets Music. There she signed Mark Irwin, Jordan Rager, and Justin Holt. While at the company, she secured cuts for many major label artists including: Tim McGraw, Lainey Wilson, and Jon Langston.

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Application Process

A $25 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 $75 per month. The application does not require a SongTown membership. If accepted, membership is required.