CANCELLED: ASCAP Presents "Belmont U. Songwriters" at The Bluebird Cafe with special guest Pat Alger

Pat Alger was born in New York, but raised in the small town of LaGrange, Georgia. As a teenager, he taught himself to play guitar and began writing songs at age 15. He studied architecture and graphic design at Georgia Tech in Atlanta while touring the Southeast college-club circuit, sharing stages with singer-songwriters such as Jerry Jeff Walker, Steve Goodman and Jonathan Edwards.

He moved to Woodstock, New York in 1973 and made three folk albums with the Woodstock Mountains Revue for Rounder Records. This loose-knit group also included, at one time or another, John Sebastian, Paul Butterfield and Eric Andersen. Alger also recorded a 1980 duet album with guitarist/singer Artie Traum, also for Rounder, and the two toured together internationally.

He next spent time in Boston and Manhattan trying to break into the songwriting mainstream. Alger's first success as a songwriter was "First Time Love." Recorded by Livingston Taylor, it became a Top 40 pop hit in 1980.

Alger moved to Nashville in 1981. The Everly Brothers chose him as their opening act in 1984, and he toured with the duo for four years thereafter. His songs have been recorded by Mickey Gilley, Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton, George Hamilton IV, Crystal Gayle, Patti Page and Peter, Paul & Mary, among many others. He has written Top 10 country hits for Kathy Mattea, Garth Brooks, Hal Ketchum, Don Williams and Trisha Yearwood.

His solo albums include True Love and Other Short Stories (Sugar Hill, 1991), Seeds (Sugar Hill, 1991) and Notes and Grace Notes (Liberty, 1994). Pat Alger was named Songwriter of the Year by the Nashville Songwriters Association in 1991 and ASCAP's Country Songwriter of the Year in 1992. From 1995 to 1997, he was president of the Nashville Songwriters Association International board and most recently named 2013 Inductee Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Rachel Sinniger is a Nashville-based songwriter graduating from Belmont’s Songwriting program in Spring 2025. With influences ranging from Loretta Lynn, Nicolle Galyon, and Miranda Lambert, her lyrics are known to blend raw emotion and humor, fusing classic country storytelling with modern sensibilities.

Growing up 15 minutes from Washington, DC has given her a love for the community in Nashville and gives her a unique viewpoint in the city/country split. Her songwriting process is deeply inspired by her own life experiences, often starting with a simple phrase or melody, but are universally relatable to listeners.

Over the years, Rachel has established herself as a respected up and comer in the Nashville scene through her work with writers rounds like Nashville Tour Stop, building a round for college students to get their start, and at Red Light Management, where she discovered a love for creating meaningful experiences for fans. Her passion for community and collaboration sets her apart as a songwriter who values not only individual success but also collective growth.

When she’s not writing, Rachel enjoys cozy nights at home, with her fiancé and cats, cross-stitching and sewing while watching The Real Housewives – a guilty pleasure that she admits inspires some of her wittier lyrics. This mix of personal downtime and pop culture influences reflects the charm and authenticity that are woven into every song she writes.

She is currently studying audio engineering, taking advanced classes at Belmont with plans release a self-produced album, ensuring every aspect of her songs are a true reflection of her artistic vision. Songwriting professors have commented to the consistent commercial viability of her songs, and her debut album Rachel Sinniger was released on February 28, 2025.