Check out the latest updates from SAMI below!
Nov 7, 2026
by Andrew Hughes
We’re happy to report that SAMI’s Song Harvest Retreat was an amazing success! Our retreat from the previous year showed the demand within our community for an event dedicated to songwriting, and we took some important lessons…
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Aug 2, 2026
By Andrew Hughes & Scott Greeson
Nick Ponti is an audio engineer and producer currently based in Lafayette. Having just graduated from Purdue University, he has benefited from additional opportunities offered by SAMI and REC Room Recording. He started…
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Jul 14, 2026
Jul 5, 2026
By Sam Bennett
A long time ago, in a small Indiana city, I met a teacher who convinced me of the unparalleled beauty of cut flowers. It was a lesson from his mother, and I have it on good authority…
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Jul 4, 2026
Riverfest is coming up on Saturday, July 11th. Once again, SAMI is running the stage at Tapawingo Park in West Lafayette. Check out the schedule on the poster below. We'd love for you to join us!
Jul 2, 2026
When Greta Schap took the stage at the 2026 Songwriters Association of Mid-north Indiana’s (SAMI)…
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May 10, 2026
Left to right: Aubrey Plass (co-Horizon Award), Claireen Cheng (runner-up), Greta Schap (co-Horizon Award), and Samantha Valente (winner)
By Andrew Hughes
On Monday, May 4th, SAMI hosted its yearly reception for the Shirley Martin Scholarship for Young Songwriters. Our host…
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Apr 16, 2026
As of now, the application period for both the Shirley Martin Scholarship and the Metzger Award is closed. A warm thank you to everyone who took the time to submit an application!
As songwriters and musicians ourselves, we see how…
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Jan 9, 2026
By Andrew Hughes
It’s that time of year to take stock of where we’ve been and where we’re going. The year of 2025 has been eventful for SAMI, and we’d like to remind our members of everything that’s happened this…
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Dec 17, 2025
By Andrew Hughes
Readers of our newsletter will know that two reminders appear at the top of each one: the first is for our monthly song share, which we tend to call SAMI for convenience’s sake, and the other is…
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Oct 14, 2025
By Andrew Hughes
If you’ve read our newsletter, you’ve probably seen the article that opens every email, explaining when our next monthly gathering is and how to prepare for it.
Of course, not everybody receives our newsletter, and there’s so…
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Oct 1, 2025
By David Inskeep
Michele graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and the University of Indianapolis with an MBA. She also has her CPA. Michele has worked in several industries including banking, manufacturing, and not-for-profit. Her…
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Sep 25, 2025
By Andrew Hughes
The Keep Looking Up: Songwriting Retreat officially wrapped late on the evening of Saturday, September 20th. On behalf of our coordinators and instructors, I want to sincerely thank everyone who joined us this past weekend, whether you…
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Aug 29, 2025
The application submitted by Briton Weise, executive director at Tippecanoe Senior Services, was selected to receive the Bryan Metzger Legacy Award. Tippecanoe Senior Services is a non-profit organization hoping to promote wellness among seniors.
This grant would enable them to…
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Aug 8, 2025
As many of you know, we’ve been hosting workshops about Sync Licensing, led by Ethan Bates. Previously we’ve discussed the possibility of a practice “pitch” session with a music supervisor.
Because of overwhelming demand, we are going to provide an…
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Jul 13, 2025
By Sam Bennett
Andrew Hughes and I met on a warm Sunday afternoon in late June at Generation NA, a local non-alcoholic bottle shop in downtown Lafayette to have a conversation about his life and artistry. Andrew is the current…
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Mar 15, 2025
By Andrew Hughes
We're pleased to announce the Keep Looking Up gift, an annual $300 contribution by longtime member Joe Peters that will help further SAMI's key goals. Unlike the Shirley Martin Scholarship, which highlights young songwriters in mid-north Indiana…
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Feb 14, 2025
By Vickie Maris
As you know, we have many options for audio streaming. The two that carry the most weight in the music industry are Spotify (followers, streams, playlists, listeners) and YouTube (views on videos, subscriptions to channels, thumbs up…
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Feb 8, 2025
By Andrew Hughes
Last month we created a survey for attendees of our last two DIY workshops. Our main goal was to gauge interest in similar events in the coming year. Today, we're pleased to share the results. We received…
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Jan 12, 2025
By Andrew Hughes
One of SAMI's most treasured traditions is the Shirley Martin Scholarship, which accepts entries from young musicians and encourages them along their musical paths. However, there isn't just one winner; runners-up are chosen every year, along with…
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Sep 20, 2024
SAMI is excited to announce Live Room Showcase number 3 on October 5th, 2024. The event will take place at 7:30 pm at TAF, located at 638 N St. Lafayette IN, 47901. This Showcase will feature Rick DeSutter, Hunter Wainscott…
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Sep 13, 2024
By Beth Jones
For Harrison High School senior Jackson Martin, what started as fun with friends has turned into a potential career passion. As one of SAMI’s newest interns, 18-year-old Jackson will spend the next school year learning the essentials…
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Feb 16, 2024
On March 9th, 2024, multi-Grammy nominated recording engineer Matt Coles will lead an amazing day-long workshop with SAMI and Rec Room Recording at TAF. Matt has worked in the Nashville recording industry for over 20 years, and is also a…
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Jan 21, 2024
Go to the Scholarships link on this page and check out how to enter. If your between the ages of 14 & 19, living in North Central IN, you may qualify! In the picture below is Maddy Conner, last years…
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Kelsey Patton performing while accompanied by Frank Anthony and Andrew Hughes in front of the SAMI Banner at Tapawingo Park during Riverfest 2026
11&the35s performing in front of the SAMI Banner at Tapawingo Park during Riverfest 2026
Amanda Fletcher performing while accompanied by Frank Anthony and Sam Bennett in front of the SAMI Banner at Tapawingo Park during Riverfest 2026
David Inskeep performing with accompaniment by Sam Bennett at Riverfest 2026
Sacred Dollar performing in front of the SAMI banner at Tapawingo Park during Riverfest 2026
David Inskeep performing with accompaniment by Sam Bennett at Riverfest 2026
Frank Anthony performing while accompanied by Kelsey Patton and Andrew Hughes at Tapawingo Park during Riverfest 2026
Scott and Colin behind the board while Sam Bennett, Frank Anthony and Kelsey Patton perform at Riverfest 2026
Michael Longcor performing in front of the SAMI Banner at Tapawingo Park during Riverfest 2026
The Jazz Man performing in front of the SAMI Banner at Tapawingo Park during Riverfest 2026
Jon Phillips performing in front of the SAMI Banner at Tapawingo Park during Riverfest 2026
11&the35s performing in front of the SAMI Banner at Tapawingo Park during Riverfest 2026
The one and only Frank Safranek standing in front of the Famous Frank's food truck at Riverfest 2026
Andrew Hughes performing in front of the SAMI Banner at Tapawingo Park during Riverfest 2026
Sacred Dollar performing in front of the Famous Frank's food truck at Tapawingo Park during Riverfest 2026
Aubrey Plass on stage at the 2026 Shirley Martin Scholarship reception, performing her entry "Days In Between"
Edward Lazar on stage at the 2026 Shirley Martin Scholarship reception, performing his entry "Last Chance"
Owen Metz on stage at the 2026 Shirley Martin Scholarship reception, having just performed his entry "Rendezvous"
2026 Metzger Award co-recipients Jo Kincanon (middle left) of McCutcheon High School and Bess Witcosky (middle right) from Joyful Journey, with SAMI representatives Scott Greeson (left) and Nelu Lazar (right)
From left to right, Frank Safranek, Scott Greeson, Sam Bennett and David Inskeep. Sam gave a small speech during the reception thanking David and Frank for their service to SAMI
2026 Shirley Martin Scholarship finalists; from left to right, Aubrey Plass, Claireen Cheng, Greta Schap, and Samantha Valente
Samantha Valente on stage with her acoustic guitar at the 2026 Shirley Martin Scholarship reception
Chad Mossak performing at SAMI's Songwriters in the Round event on March 15th, 2026
Barrett Myers performing at SAMI's Songwriters in the Round event on March 15th, 2026
Frank Anthony performing at SAMI's Songwriters in the Round event on March 15th, 2026
Andrew Hughes performing at SAMI's Songwriters in the Round event on March 15th, 2026
Amanda Fletcher performing at SAMI's Songwriters in the Round event on March 15th, 2026
Jon St. Bourbon performing at SAMI's Songwriters in the Round event on March 15th, 2026
David Sparks performing at SAMI's Songwriters in the Round event on March 15th, 2026
Frank Anthony performing a Christmas Medley at SAMI on December 16, 2025
Frank Muffin performing at the REC Room Live concert series in January 2026
Anita performs her song "Sing! The Lord is Come!" with SAMI members singing and playing along at our December 16, 2025 meeting
Scott introducing a newer co-write with author and lyricist Tom Petry at SAMI on December 16, 2025
Sam performing one of his groovier compositions at SAMI on December 16, 2025
David Sparks performing a song in an unusual meter at SAMI on December 16, 2025. David recently released an album called Entropy and Love, which you can find online and buy on vinyl!
Michael Longcor performing his Christmas Medley at SAMI on December 16, 2025
Matt Coles and Malachi Jaggers hard at work at a session in REC Room on November 28, 2025
Scott Greeson and Vickie Maris performing with Michael Kelsey at The Stables on December 12, 2025
Andrew Hughes and Justice Fuller with matching Martin Acoustics, September 2025
A side shot of the new studio desk installed in the summer of 2025
Malachi Jaggers in the midst of an intense vocal session on November 28, 2025
Scott Greeson and Joe Peters rehearsing
Retreat attendees embark upon nature walk, September 2025
Group 3 during collaborative exercise, September 2025
Group 6 (Edi, David, Chelei and Jason)
Group 1 (Jim, Cheryl, Donna, Patrick, Tom)
Keep Looking Up Group Photo, September 2025
Group 3 (Kelsey, Amanda, Jeanette and Linda)
Patrick Nycz and Joe Peters, September 2025
Studio Desk Install, July 2025
Ricky Rascoe playing with Sam Bennett and Frank Anthony at Riverfest, July 2025
Patrick Nycz and David Inskeep, July 2025
David Inskeep and Sam Bennett perform at SAMI Meeting, July 2025
Joe Peters performing at Riverfest, July 2025
Sam, Nelu and Joe at Riverfest 2025
Sandy Pickett performing at Riverfest, July 2025
SAMI Sign at Riverfest, July 2025
Shirley Martin Scholarship Recipients, May 2025
Scott and Malachi
SAMI Meeting, March 2025
Jon St Bourbon performing at TAP for TAF, April 2025
Jon St. Bourbon performs at SAMI Meeting
SEAMUS National Conference Crew, March 2025
Andrew, Ethan and Kelsey at Shirley Martin Scholarship Ceremony, May 2025
Everyone poses with Bette via Zoom, SAMI Meeting, February 2025
Daniel Fisher, second recipient of William Long Left-Handed Guitar, 2025
Mixer-Mixer Workshop, January 2024
Andrew Hughes, recipient of a left-handed Martin Acoustic Guitar formerly owned by William Long, poses with Dave Cress, Roger Beaver, Nathan Beaver and Johnathan Beaver; January 2025
David Beering and Greg Deason performing
Andrew performing at SAMI, January 2025
Wolves In-Studio Performance, February 2025
Steven Memel speaking at DIY Workshop, July 2023
Shirley Martin Scholarship Recipients, May 2024
Lindsay Lowe performing at Riverfest 2024
Scott Greeson and Vickie Maris perform at Riverfest, July 2024
Sacred Dollar performing at Riverfest 2024
Steven Memel Class at DIY Workshop
DIY Workshop 2023
Ronan speaking at DIY Workshop, July 2023
Ronan "Chris" Murphy instructing workshop attendees in REC Room Recording Studio, summer 2023
Celebration of Life for Jeff Anderson Poster
DIY Workshop Attendees, July 2023
Maddy Conner performing at Shirley Martin Scholarship, May 2023
2023 Shirley Martin Scholarship recipients pose with Amanda Fletcher and Justice Fuller
Carly Bryant performing, accompanied by Lee Anna at Shirley Martin Scholarship, May 2023
Patrick Nycz performing on stage at The Arts Federation
Donna Beering
Shirley Martin Scholarship performance, May 2019
Shirley Martin Scholarship performance, May 2019
Shirley Martin Scholarship judges deliberating