Fort Worth Songwriters Association: Membership Profiles

Connie Smith

Connie is a native Texan who is proud to call Fort Worth her home. To her, living in Texas is like living at the ultimate crossroads of music because of the boundless selection of styles within each musical genre that are represented right here in our own state. She believes the fresh sounds that come from this area can be attributed in part, to the blending of the many diverse backgrounds and culture present in this area, with rich Texas native tradition.

Her early influence in music first came from the gospel music she heard as a child at church, family reunions and gatherings. Both parent’s families had close ties and frequently gathered for gospel sing-a-longs often accompanied by piano and harmonica. The size of the family made for an outstanding array of harmony. At home, Connie remembers being rocked to her mother’s soothing renditions of Brahm’s lullaby, gospel hymns and a variety of country music, including Connie Francis, Lynn Anderson and Patsy Cline tunes. And one of her favorite places to be as a child was in her father’s lap listening to his versions of gospel hymns, the country tunes of Bill Anderson, Charlie Pride, Ray Price and Porter Wagoner and the blues music of Ray Charles. First family choice of T.V. programming at home was always music. A Porter Wagoner, Jimmy Dean, Wayne Newton, Hee Haw, Lawrence Welk or Ed Sullivan show was never missed. As a teenager Connie enjoyed listening to many types of music, including pop, rock, blues and country and spent most of her earnings on records.

In her early adult years, Connie took time out from her own musical interests to encourage her daughter’s musical interests, which included band and dance. She spent many weekends at band and dance performances and competitions, where she was often called upon to critique and judge talent herself.

Connie’s many years of working in an office administration position, generally in a corporate environment, garnered many opportunities to learn valuable skills, such as staff supervision, project coordination, workshop and seminar coordination, sponsorship acquisition, newsletter publication, marketing and merchandising. These related skills would later carry over into her personal interest in the business side of the music industry.

Reaching a point in life where she had more time to spend on personal interests, Connie became involved in the local music scene, volunteering her time on the board of a local music organization. In that position she was involved as the secretary, working also in public relations, event coordination, sponsorship acquisition, newsletter publication, talent judging, and album reviews. During this time she was often approached for help and advice related to the music careers of local artists. Noticing a big need for this service, she soon became involved in artist management.

Because of an interest in songwriting, Connie joined the Fort Worth Songwriter’s Association. Early on, she volunteered her services to help out with setting up the sound equipment at all events and with other duties as needed. Recently, she was appointed to the FWSA Board of Directors as Special Events Director. Her participation in FWSA workshops and song critique sessions has been an inspiration for her as a songwriter. This year she has focused on spending more time on her writing and has begun to collaborate.

Connie enjoys her involvement in the music business, but takes her work very seriously. While working toward reaching her own personal goals, she tries to help others reach their goals by sharing her honest viewpoints, in hopes of making contribution that will make a difference in the local music community.

Skills:
Office Administration
Staff Supervision
Seminar & Workshop Coordination
Merchandising
Marketing
Newsletter Publication
Sponsorship Acquisition
Public Relations
Talent Judging (Dance & Music)
Album Review
Music Event Production
Artist Management & Promotion
Artist Career Development/Advisor
Music Business Consultant
Songwriting
Elected Offices:
Secretary, Lone Star Music Association
Special Events Director, Fort Worth Songwriter’s Association
Memberships & Affiliations:
Fort Worth Songwriter's Association
Lone Star Music Association
Tennessee Country Music Alliance
BMI
Contact:
P.O. Box 137391
Fort Worth, Texas 76136-1391
Phone: (817) 475-1720
E-mail: ConnieSSmith@aol.com

Gene Snow

 

Randy Steppick                                

They call him "Cowboy", but his birth name is Randy Steppick. Being born in Fort Worth, Texas, "Where the West Begins", he still spends a lot of time in the Stockyards, the home of Billy Bob's Texas, and the White Elephant Saloon. It has been a favorite place for him to network and get exposure not only for the current trend in Country music, but also his own music.

Randy draws a lot of inspiration from the generation of the mid-eighties to the late nineties. Alan Jackson, Clint Black. Hank Williams Jr., Randy Travis, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, to name a few. When Randy knew he could write music that made people feel good, that put a whole new meaning to inspiration.
 
Eighteen years ago, just killing time, Randy sat at a table, attempting to build a house with playing cards. This is when his first song started coming to him . He started vocalizing the intro, then the lyrics started coming , and thus his song, "Card House", became a reality. Since that day, his songs all come at once in the same way, when an idea comes to mind. He feels that most good songs come from tough personal experiences that writers walk through in their lives ,and the repetition thereof. He believes they can most clearly identify the sincere blessedness of good times, and are fortunate to be able to write and sing about them while they are still living.

Randy realized this was no passing fancy with him, and knew he would need to study the business end of the music business to succeed. He already knew where he wanted to go. He has read books and asked questions to find the answers he knew he would need to know. He has fifty songs under copyright and has set up his own publishing.

Randy has just completed his first project of original material, "Let the Party Begin" which tells the story in itself of his capabilities as a writer. This ten song sampling is just the tip of the iceberg to come from his catelogue ,which contains Country, Gospel, Cajun, and Comedy.

Not being a stranger to anyone he meets, and not being afraid of work, to get the job done, we can expect many things from this young man who has put God as first in charge of his life. This keeps Randy grounded and assured that good things come if patience is at the forefront of his actions.


Member Fort Worth Songwriters Association

Affiliation BMI 50 songs under copyright

Randy Steppick Publishing

Mel Strait

performing songwriter, university instructor, published author, audio/video specialist
Having played guitar since age 7, Mel has been playing and singing his own songs and those of others for over 40 years.
For the past 20 years, Mel’s "regular job" has been teaching in higher education.
In recent years, Mel has provided audio for a number of concerts in the "Last Minute Folk" series in Topeka, Kansas, and even opened for Buddy Mondlock who headlined one of the shows. However, performances are limited mostly to open mics.
Mel placed first and second in the secular division of the first FWSA Christmas song contest, with "Beautiful Time of the Year" and "Christmas this December".
Several websites bear the efforts of Mel Strait’s digital photography, and video production. Guitarist Andy McKee has several videos on display. Cosy Sheridan is using digital pictures Mel took at one of her performances. Having shot digital pictures of more than 20 performers, it’s difficult to keep track of who is using them and for what.
Mel is also an announcer with considerable credits.
More notable works include:
Strange Tales of the Civil War, is one of Mel’s novels available from Waltsan Publishing in Fort Worth.
Playing with the band, published in VideoMaker Magazine Sept. ‘92
Looking good on video, Gig Magazine April ‘88
Real Cute, is a compilation CD of demo cuts by Mel Strait.
Drinking from the Rootbeer River, is a Jazz flavored instrumental CD, written and recorded by Mel Strait.