The Artist & The Advocate

August was Pat Alger’s last month as president of the Nashville Local’s Board of Directors. Pat has been with the Nashville Local since 1982 and has been president of the board for two years. Besides being an iconic songwriter and artist, he has been an outspoken advocate for songwriters and intellectual property rights for decades.

We’re grateful Pat will continue to serve on the Board of Directors, but wanted to give him a special salute. So, here are some fun facts about his storied career. On behalf of the staff, membership and board of the SAG-AFTRA Nashville Local, congratulations on a job well done, Pat, and thank you for your leadership! 

• Pat was born in LaGrange, Georgia, and studied architecture at Georgia Tech before turning to music.

• Pat has over 20 hits to his credit, including eight No. 1s!

• Pat was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2013. 

• Some of the hits Pat has written and co-written include Lone Star State of Mind, Small Town Saturday Night, The Thunder Rolls, A Few Good Things Remain, First Time Love, Goin’ Gone, She Came From Fort Worth and Once In a Very Blue Moon. 

• His music has been recorded by Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Lyle Lovett, Brenda Lee, Crystal Gayle, Don Williams, Trisha Yearwood, Kathy Mattea, Nanci Griffith and Peter, Paul & Mary.