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Listen to the singles released by GSC members so far in 2026!
**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
🎉 GSC earned the emerging talent badge this week, recognizing us for creating engaging content that sparks an interest among our fans! 🤩
**SHOW SATURDAY**
Make plans to come to the Commodore Grille at The Holiday Inn Vanderbilt for Debi Champion's Writers Nights next week! Check out the lineup below. 👇
#songwriter #livemusic #CommodoreGrille
Sun May 17. 6;00 Steve Burkett, Rob Talton, Steve Brown. 6:30. Lori Kelley, Jeremy Michael, Chris Robeson. 7;00 Red River Redemption, Tammy Vice. 7:30 Richard Trest, Mark Alonso, Jack Boucher. 8;00 Jerry Foster. 8:30. Rob Ondras, Martin Metzger, Kokomo Joe, Wyatt Easterling
Mon May 18. 6:00. Hoze Flemming, Rob Talton, 6;30. Wynn Hansen, Randi Perkins, Jeremiah Britt 7:00 Tim Taylor, Joe Hynek, Bob Huston 7;30 Lori Lynn, Kayla Rose, Rebekah Gilbert. 8:00 JA Morrell, Sam Hunter 8:30 Antoinette Olesen, Buddy Farler & friend
Wed May 20. 5:30 Antoinette Olesen, Gary Nobile, Buddy Farler. 6:00 Angela Jean, Jerry Duncan, Jared Tuitel. 6:30 Stephen Kemper, Robyn Scott, Tim Taylor. 7:00 Donna Frost, Lacie Carpenter, Richard Trest. 7:30 Gibson Mileti &. Smith. 8;00. Paul Jefferson. 8:30 Ricky Dale, Jeffrey Lyle, Tessa Stites
Thurs May 21. 6:00 Cowboy, Richard Clayton, Ben Kappes. 6:30. Denny Martin, Brian Garcia, Mike Mitchell 7:00 Ridge Banks, Cheri Carmody, & friend. 7:30 Robin Ruddy, Scott Barrier, Chris Floyd. 8:00 Joel Shewmake. 8:30 Adam Janes Deiboldt & friends
So proud of Malibu Babie/Lo for being a guest at the Billboard Women in Music Awards! 🖤 Make sure to connect with her on social media and catch her on the road! Let’s support her amazing journey! 🌟 linktr.ee/MalibuBabie
#malibubabie #WomenInMusic #bbwomeninmusic
**GSC WINNING WEDNESDAY**
🌟 Exciting news! GSC member Lauren Teel recently shared her journey in an interview with NASHVILLEVOYAGER. She opened up about her experience at a GSC Focus Retreat and how it helped her discover her dual calling as both a songwriter and an artist. Check out an excerpt from the article below and click on the link to read her inspiring story and see how GSC is transforming lives! 💖
#GSC #FocusRetreat #Songwriter #Artist #NashvilleVoyager
Today, we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Teel.
NV: Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
LAUREN: Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I could sing before I could talk, and by age 3, I was already making up songs and begging my mom for piano lessons. At 4 years old, a piano teacher finally took a chance on me, and that was the beginning of a lifelong pursuit.
As a child, I sang every day on the playground, all the way through 5th grade. Even when I was bullied for it starting in 3rd grade — kids sometimes throwing wood chips at me to make me stop, but I never did. That persistence became part of who I am, and I believe those early years of singing fearlessly helped shape the voice I have today.
I picked up guitar at 10 and began writing songs seriously at 12. From that point on, songwriting became second nature. I continued writing throughout high school and eventually attended Middle Tennessee State University to study Songwriting, graduating in December 2024.
While in school, I released my first album and several singles as a country artist. In 2022, I chose to step back from releasing music in order to focus fully on sharpening my songwriting. Over the next three years, I devoted myself to growth, discipline, and becoming a stronger writer.
In February of this year, after attending a Global Songwriters Connection focus group, I had a clear realization: I wasn’t just called to write songs. I was called to be an artist. Since then, I’ve been collaborating with GSC to develop the best songs possible for my next project, set for release in Spring 2027.
Contact Info:
Website: linktr.ee/laurenteel
Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurenteelsongs
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaurenTeelCo
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-teel-3a6a6ba2/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@laurenteelsongs
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/user-286175580
nashvillevoyager.com
Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Teel. Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember...
