Famous Texas Songwriter: “Painting Poetic Portraits of Heartfelt Melodies” Written by Melissa Orsak
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rannie Anderson’s passion for songwriting started as a finalist out of hundreds of applicants. Eventually, she when she was only seven years old, sitting at her lit- was announced as the winner of Songwriter U’s songwrittle piano in Waco, Texas, and creating Christian-fo- ing competition and received great exposure, connections, cused artistic anthems. Anderson shares that she has a support, and other opportunities. These opportunities in“knack for painting poetic portraits of small-town living cluded co-writing with Jack Ingram, performing at a music set to dynamic, heartfelt melodies in a fresh yet timeless festival, earning studio time, and more. Having graduated way. The ability to artfully walk the line of deeply authentic from the program as an alumnus, Anderson will return to storytelling in a universal fashion has made [me] a key col- Texas Songwriter U as a mentor for the 2024 class of songlaborator for many artists.” By age eight, a few ministers in writers. town had heard her songs and teamed up with her to mentor and encourage her development, allowing her to per- After college graduation, Anderson moved to Nashville, form during offertories. Despite Tennessee, with lofty goals. Anparticipating in sports, piano, derson is a dreamer but also pracand other activities, her passion tical. While in Nashville, Anderfor songwriting prevailed. Her son needed to supplement her supportive mother, Kyle Stevens, income while she waited for her recognized her daughter’s talent career to unfold. She tied her pasand passion and paid compossion to her day job by becoming er and arranger Gary Rhodes to known as the Country Star Dog provide songwriting lessons and Sitter for country stars like Mito educate Anderson about Muchael Hobby, Dan + Shay, Huntsic City, Nashville, Tennessee. By er Hayes, and Brett Eldredge, 7th grade, Gary Rhodes helped who needed dog sitting while on Anderson record an EP, a small tours. Entrepreneur Anderson’s album. She also shared her gifts endeavors became so profitable at talent shows and coffee shops. that she turned it into a business In high school, Anderson started called Pup Stars. She hired addia band that traveled around Texas tional songwriters to support her and performed at various music growing enterprise. This inspired festivals. path was vital in helping Anderson reach her dream of becoming Trannie Anderson, 2023 MusicRow Awards Winner Anderson attended Baylor Uni- for Breakthrough Songwriter, and 2023 Nashville a profitable songwriter. It opened versity in Waco, Texas, after com- Songwriter Award winner for Song of the Year, “Heart doors as she became friends with pleting high school. She earned Like A Truck.” the musicians’ pet owners and a degree in Entrepreneurship shared her music, building opand hoped to make an entrepreneurial living through her portunities and a support group. songwriting. To develop her skills, Anderson joined Texas Songwriter U, a non-profit organization that supports Anderson dreams big but understands the importance of emerging songwriters through various events, education, stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. She found co-writes, and an annual competition. Anderson entered that taking one step at a time every day towards her goal is the songwriting development program and was selected crucial! Anderson shares, “I write a song every day, meet
16 Talk of Texas
