Hit Songwriter/Author/Playwright Austin Gary to Speak at Motlow Smyrna on Oct. 17

      SMYRNA — Hit Songwriter/Author/Playwright Austin Gary will share insights on the inner workings of the Nashville music industry during a special presentation for students and faculty at 2 p.m. Oct. 17 (Tuesday) on the Motlow Smyrna campus.

Gary’s talk, “The Ride to Number One: The Long, Bumpy, Winding Road to Music Success,” is part of the College’s “Famous Communicator Speakers Series.” The tunesmith gained international success in the 1997 by co-writing country star Jeff Carson’s number one hit, “The Car.” The tune was listed among Broadcast Music Incorporated’s top played songs of the year. 

“One of the most important attributes a person can have is curiosity,” said Gary, who currently works and lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. “Curiosity has led me from one interesting pursuit to another. To all Motlow students attending, I wish you endless curiosity... in pursuit of your authentic selves!”

Austin Gary

Other Gary-penned songs include “One Stone at a Time” (for Tammy Wynette); “Every Time My Heart Calls Your Name” (for John Berry); “The Letter” (for Ronna Reeves); “Dixie’s Bar & Grill” (for Brent Lamb); “A Love Like This” (for Cleve Francis); and “If Dreams Have Wings” (for James T. Horn). 

Gary also is an award-winning author and playwright. His novels include “A Delicate Dance,” “The Queerling,” “Miss Madeira,” “Ask No Secrets,” and “Genius.” He has received literary awards such as Indiefab Book of the Year (“A Delicate Dance”); Finalist in the Faulkner-Wisdom Literary Competition (“The Queerling,” “Miss Madeira,” and “Genius”); and Finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Competition (“Ask Me No Secrets”).

His novels “Miss Madeira” and “Genius” have been adapted into plays. His latest staged effort is a two-man Walt Whitman play titled “Song of Myself.” 

Also a documentarian, Gary filmed a moving and thought-provoking YouTube video about Marty Luther King Jr. titled “They Killed Martin: 3 Lives Forever Changed.” He has appeared on Seattle Public Radio to share personal stories about Thornton Wilder, Martin Luther King Jr., and his experiences on stage. 

Gary has served as an educator, advertising creative director, radio/television jingle composer, and newspaper editor. He is a member of PEN Canada. 

He is the father of the late stage director Rachel Rockwell and music industry professional Jeremy Spencer, a former drummer for the heavy rock band Five Finger Death Punch.

Gary’s talk will occur in HSC 323. Limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students and faculty can watch his presentation on Zoom at https://mscc.zoom.us/j/8195274640?pwd=UkF3UjRIYTFpdXltNEtvSjduVkRtdz09. For more information about the “Famous Communicator Speakers Series,” contact Charles Whiting at cwhiting@mscc.edu.