Australia Council for the Arts Continues Nashville Residency Grant

Australian singer-songwriter Ben Wright Smith is this year’s recipient of the Nashville Songwriter Residency Grant, which was established last year by the Australian Government and the Australia Council for the Arts. The residency grant allows writers and artists to spend three months in Nashville to be mentored by program facilitator, Australian producer, and Nashville resident Mark Moffatt.
“The Australian government has recognized Nashville as the global music hub and made it the focus of many of their funding initiatives,” said Moffatt, who is also the current Board President of the Americana Music Association. “Ben’s talent, personality and drive made him the perfect candidate for this program.”
Melbourne native Wright Smith, 25, has already had several folk/rock releases. He visited Nashville in 2012, where he performed at the Americana Music Festival. During his three-month Nashville residency, Wright Smith will be introduced to Nashville’s creative and business community to engage in songwriting, recording, showcasing and industry networking.
Previous recipients of the Nashville Songwriter Residency Grant include Travis Caudle and Chris Altmann.