About Us

The History of the GMIA

The Georgia Music Industry (GMIA), began as the Atlanta Songwriter's Association and was formed in 1978 by a group of songwriters and Atlanta publishers to provide an outlet to create and collaborate with fellow songwriters and to provide an avenue for networking within the music industry.

GMIA's founding directors included members of the Lowery Music Group, Harry Warner of BMI/Nashville, and David Leonard of Writeside Studios. The group's main purpose was to promote and encourage the craft of songwriting and to offer opportunities to those writers and performers who have set goals for themselves in the music business.

Even in our early days as the Atlanta Songwriters Association we placed a "special emphasis" on songwriting, which we believe is the foundation of the music industry - and that continues today.

Today GMIA's primary goal is to educate and provide experience and exposure for its members-at-large. To accomplish these goals GMIA has formed alliances with an Advisory Board that is international in scope and that offers expertise to GMIA members through educational panels, seminars, and showcases. GMIA offers professional-level events, quality information from credible sources, and on-going opportunities for the music industry. We accomplish these goals by maintaining an active presence in the community and by offering opportunities to those who strive for excellence in the music professions.

GMIA's Officers and Board of Directors include award-winning songwriters, successful managers, and active performance artists based in Atlanta. GMIA's Advisory Board includes a "who's who" of music industry professionals.

Georgia Music Industry Association, Inc. is a State of Georgia not-for-profit corporation.