Have You Joined Our GSC Spotify Playlist?
Listen to the singles released by GSC members so far in 2026!
TONIGHT!!! May 21 @ 7pm CT
Publisher Online Pitch with Courtney Kruckeberg
Creative Director, Endurance Music Group
Check the April member newsletters for pitch details
**GSC WINNING WEDNESDAY**
Meet Brad Hunnings, a seasoned songwriter from North Carolina who has a genuine passion for lyrical expression and creating meaningful connections within the music industry. He will be participating in our upcoming Focus Songwriter Retreat next month, marking his second time attending this event. The songs he wrote during the Focus Retreat last October are being pitched around town, and he is building an impressive catalog with GSC members! This was also Carrie Cunningham's first retreat as the new Owner of GSC!
Recently, Brad achieved notable recognition in the songwriting world, including making it to the Top 5 overall in the country category with “Hit Me Like Summer” at the Great American Song Contest 2025. Additionally, his heartfelt track “From A To Jesus” was honored as a finalist in the Christian/Inspirational category.
Not stopping there, Brad was a runner-up in the Traditional Country category for American Songwriter’s 2025 Wide Open Country Song Contest with “Two Story House,” and their song “Somewhere In The Ballpark” made the top 25 in the same contest for 2024. With tracks selected for prestigious lists like the NSAI Top 40 presented by the Bob Kingsley Estate, it’s clear that Brad is making his mark in the music scene!
Passionate about nurturing new songwriting relationships, Brad loves traveling to Nashville to expand his connections and understanding of the industry. If you’re looking to collaborate or share your own musical journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to Brad!
**GSC MEMBER MONDAY**
On Mondays in June, we will be featuring our June Focus Songwriting Retreat participants. Today, we shine the spotlight on Mary Zalla. Mary built her career in the advertising, branding, and design industry, spending the past 24 years at Landor—the world’s largest global brand and design firm.
Mary held many positions at Landor, including Global CEO, where she oversaw 28 studios around the world. Mary grew up on a farm, the oldest of 10 children, where she raised cattle, tobacco, corn, and hay. Mary also raised horses, mostly Appaloosas and Quarter horses. Mary lives in Covington, Kentucky, and is the mother of four children, two boys and two girls, ages 10 to 22.
Mary began her career as a copywriter and, in recent years, has brought her global branding expertise and love of language into the world of commercial music. A lyricist at heart, she primarily writes in the country genre while also creating music for the holiday market. Much of her inspiration comes from her life on the farm and her Kentucky roots, which add authenticity and heart to her work.
ACHIEVEMENTS
-Great American Song Contest 2025
-Top 5 in Country Category for “Hit Me Like Summer”
- Finalist in Country Category for “Fool Proof”
- Finalist in Christian/Inspirational Category for “From A to Jesus”
-Great American Song Contest 2024
- Top 5 in Country Category “Hayfields and High Heels”
- Semi-Finalist “My Country People”
-American Songwriter “Make Some WAVs” Lyric Contest Promotion Winner for Lyrics to “Honky Tonk Hair”
-American Songwriter Honorable Mention in Lyrics Category for “My Country People”
We are so happy to have Mary at our Focus Retreat! Together, we are moving the needle, and she is "ALL IN."
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#gscmembermonday #songwriter #ALLIN
