Fort Worth Songwriters Association: Membership Profiles

Tammie Callicot

Dennis Carlsen

Paula Carpenter

Paula Carpenter is a multi-faceted professional songwriter, with experience in Pop, Country, CCM, Children's and church-related writing styles. Her years of experience in writing, co-writing, and working with recording artists give her the credentials needed to help you zero in on your goal of better, more marketable songs.

Her education and past experience in teaching gives her a firm grasp on not only songwriting, but the skills needed to effectively convey concepts...and her friendly, empathetic, personable style never fails to inspire!

Her professional memberships include NSAI (NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL ) , ASCAP (AMERICAN SOCIETY OF COMPOSERS AND PUBLISHERS --writer member AND publisher member), BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc. -- publisher member), and more. She is involved in the NSAI speakers program, as a Pro Member living in Texas, she is a speaker whenever her schedule permits at the NSAI affiliates nationwide. She is the PRO SONGWRITER IN RESIDENCE, for the Fort Worth Songwriter's Association, and will be the featured speaker/seminar leader for an upcoming SPRING of 2003 meeting, TBA.

Paula's collaborators include the likes of Columbia recording artist Jessica Simpson (HEART OF INNOCENCE), Jim Weatherly (SOMEONE ELSE'S STAR, Bryan White), Pete Carlson (STILL YOU ARE), Wayne Tester (THE DANCE, Garth Brooks), Marcus Hummon (COWBOY TAKE ME AWAY, the Dixie Chicks), Christopher Davis (IF WE BELIEVE IN LOVE, Jessica Simpson),Michael Puryear (THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE BUFFALO, Michael Peterson), Sue Smith (HE COULD'VE ANSWERED WITH MY NAME, the Nelons), Russell Mauldin (THE BEST GIFT OF ALL, 4Him), Dave Clark (WHAT DOES HE HAVE TO DO, Truth), Scott Krippayne (WE BELONG TO YOU, Basix), Jeff and Gayla Borders ( HEART-SHAPED WORLD, Jessica Andrews), Gene
Pistilli (TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, Michael Peterson),

Frank Myers (I SWEAR, John Michael Montgomery and All 4 One), Gary Baker (I'M ALREADY THERE, Lonestar),Dwight Liles ( various cuts w/GINNY OWENS and many others), Sarah Majors (writer for the KINLEYS) , Barb Isham (writer for LEANN WOMACK), Don Koch ( IN CHRIST ALONE) , Philip Douglas (writer for AARON TIPPIN), Lisa Bevill (ALONE IN LOVE), Don Pfrimmer (AARON TIPPIN and numerious), Ty Lacey (YOUR FAITH IN ME, Jessica Simpson), Capitol recording
artist Susan Ashton (BEYOND JUSTICE TO MERCY), Thom Shepherd (RIDING WITH PRIVATE MALONE, David Ball), and Monument recording artist Michael Peterson, (DRINK SWEAR
STEAL and LIE)...plus many, many more.

Dan Carroll

Duard D. "Cash" Cassady

Mike W. Childress

Marty Clifford

Marty has recorded with four record labels and written several songs. Won three talent shows in Big Springs and other West Texas towns. Won a talent show with Lone Star Music Association and was nominated for the Male Seasoned Artistof the Year in 1998.
Has performed at the Stephenville Opry, Country Love Theater in Granbury, Globe Theater of the Southwest in Odessa, Wylie Opry, and the Anson Opry for many years.
Worked on TV Shows in Abilene, Midland, and Odessa over two years. Had two radio shows in West Texas for seven years. Also worked clubs in New Mexico and West Texas over ten years.
Plays three musical instruments (guitar, banjo, and fiddle).

Sid Cox

Rodney Crochet

Joe Cruz

Joe Henry Cruz, one of a set of twin brothers in a family of three sets of twins, was born on September 7th, 1946 near the central Texas town of Caldwell, to a musical family of 12 brothers and sisters. Fascinating as it is, he also shares his birth date of September 7th with his wife Judy, and their wedding anniversary is on the same day as their birth date. This unique interesting man began his musical career during his junior year in high school, by forming a soul band "The Romans" with the help of some friends. After a hitch in the Air Force, he settled in the Texas town of Houston and created his most famous band "Joe Cruz and the Cruisers." In 1980 he signed an artist management, writing, and recording deal with Gilley's Inc., in Pasadena. During that time he had 25 songs published with Gilley's Inc., and 4 with another publisher in Houston, and had 3 albums and 10 singles released of his writing works. During the "Urban Cowboy" craze days, he performed regularly at the famous Gilley's club, which gave him the opportunity to work with many country stars and make numerous television appearances on the Gilley's T.V. show. After a down turn in the mid '80's in the club business, Joe relocated to Fort Worth to re-evaluate his career and soon joined the country band "Pony Express," while working his way through three years at TCJC majoring in automotive service technology. In August of 1992 he was a founding member of the Fort Worth Songwriter's Association and served two terms as Executive Vice-President, and two and a half terms as President. His F.W.S.A. board service and leadership proved to be as unique and motivating as the man himself, "Joe Cruz" is today, and has been a prime factor in the success of F.W.S.A. as a professional songwriter's organization. The year 1997 brought about yet another relocation of career advancement for Joe, to Nashville Tennessee where he currently is writing with Jimmy Payne (Woman, Woman by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap) and Denny Martin of Martin Studios.
Published Works
25 songs published with Gilley's Inc., two of which are, "Urban Cowboy" and "Houston Honky Tonk Man"
4 songs published in Houston, one of which is "Standing In Your Way"
"That's Life" published by Sherrill Blackman of SGB Music Group
* "It's Better To Be Lucky Than Rich" published by SGB Music. Co-Written by Denny Martin
Credits
Soul band "The Romans" and famous band "Joe Cruz and the Cruisers", and played with the band "Pony Express"
Artist management, writing, and recording deal with Gilley's Inc.
Numerous appearances on the Gilley's Television show.
3 Albums and 10 Singles released
Projects
Currently writing with Jimmy Payne (Woman, Woman by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap) and Denny Martin of Martin Studios
Biography
* Memberships and Affiliations
Member of the Fort Worth Songwriter's Association since it's inception August 1992, served two terms as Executive Vice-president 1992 & 1993, and served two and a half terms in office as President 1994, 1996 and half of 1997
Member of the Nashville Songwriter's Association International
* Awards and Recognitio
1995 "Song Of The Year Award" co-writer of "That's Life" at the 18th Annual Terry Awards
Skills
Songwriting, Lyrics and Melodies
Musician, Guitar
Vocal Artist, Recording and Live Performance
Production and Arrangements
All material presented here are copyrighted © Fort Worth Songwriter's Association, 2004

CLICK JOE CRUZ TO GO TO WEBSITE...

Jon Cunningham

(817) 244-5378 Sunshine Highway Productions 3483 Coronado Ct Ft. Worth, TX 76116

Jon is a Texas Blues man who began his career by generating his first record at the age of four. By the age of 17, he had formed his first band and recorded his first record. In college, his music major directed him to study classical guitar for five years, and music theory and composition in keyboards and blues harp for four years. In 1962 he was a D J and sports caster, and from 1963 to 1966 he served in the U. S. Army. His first major record label release was in 1968. Jon has written 350+ songs, had over 150 songs published , and over 50 of his songs recorded. He is a top quality studio musician on guitar, bass, and keyboards. He built a studio in 1980, and is the owner of Round Records and Sunshine Highway Productions, where he has produced 12 albums and engineered many. As a performer, he captivates the audience with the ease of a highly skilled professional. He literally brings his guitar to life in true blues instrumental form, setting the mood for his smooth vocal delivery of some of the most soul reaching blues lyrics written today. His unique styled music fills his audience with anticipation of his next performance of original songs. Clearly, Jon stands out as one of Texas' masters of "real" blues music.
CREDITS:
Round Records
Sunshine Highway Productions - Owner
Recording Studio
1st Major Release in 1968
Over 50 Songs Recorded
Produced 12 Albums
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
Member FWSA
Member AES - Audio Engineering Society
BMI Writer & Publisher
PUBLISHED WORKS:
Written 350+ Songs
Over 150 Songs Published
SKILLS:
Songwriting
Lyrics
Music Studio Musician
Guitar
Bass
Keyboards
CLICK LINK TO RIGHT FOR CD INFORMATION...