Norman singer/songwriters have several reasons to celebrate. In one year, the organization has created an expansive website, released a compilation CD, created t-shirts and has grown to nearly 40 members. To celebrate their first year together, SongWriter Association Norman (SWAN) members are performing Tuesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. at The Abner Ale House, 121 E. Main St.

Throughout the evening, members of the songwriting organization will entertain with original songs, many of which were written over the past year since the formation of the group. The concert is free and open to the public.

“The whole impetus for forming SWAN began with monthly singer/songwriter showcases organized by NormanMusicScene.com,” said Michael Bendure, co-founder of SWAN. “During the informal shows, many of us local songwriters would get to interact and have fun together, but after the show, we went home and never really hung. SWAN gives us an excuse to network and develop ourselves while also making good friends.”

Richard “Daddy” Love, creator of NormanMusicScene.com, teamed up with Bendure and the pair started the SWAN group, a non-profit organization which serves to encourage songwriters at every level of experience and ability. Together, the group seeks to improve members’ abilities and confidences in the areas of writing, performing, recording and running sound for a live show.

Jim Barger, a Norman resident, started writing songs when he was 62 and had never performed publicly until a few months into the SWAN membership.

“I wanted to touch people, reach inside my heart and pull out a message that people would remember,” he said. “I joined SWAN and the instructors, fellow musicians and members helped my songwriting skills so much. SWAN is like my big brother.”

June marks one year since local performers joined together for the first meeting. The open mic style concert at Abner’s doubles as an anniversary celebration and a CD release party as well.

“SWAN Songs 2010, Vol. 1” features 17 original songs written and performed by SWAN members. The material covers a variety of topics, styles and genres and showcases the diversity of the membership. In addition to being available for sale during the anniversary event, copies of the CD also are available for sale at Guestroom Records and the Norman Convention & Visitors Bureau, both on Main St.

“I think it’s amazing that in less than a year this group has actually created its first compilation CD,” said Jim Madsen, SWAN member. “There are many other songwriting groups in markets much larger than ours that don’t have this level of group productivity. That really says a lot about the group here in Norman.”

Members of the group include songwriters of all levels. Teenagers to senior citizens, newbies and pros all have roles in the organization. SWAN is now home to Nashville recording artists such John Hadley and Tod J. Barrett, national award-winning writers like Farrel Droke and local Norman standards like Gregg Standridge and Mike “Walker Run” Giroux. The group has drawn in new Normanites like Kate Leary and Jared Valouch and even music fans who have never written a song but desire to learn more.

On the first Tuesday of each month, SWAN members hold a formal meeting focusing on one area of development. Past guest speakers include Norman poet and songwriter Nathan Brown, as well as Hadley, Barrett and others. Each meeting concludes with a song circle during which members can debut new songs. Other Tuesday nights are open mics at various Norman restaurants and local dives.

The mission of SongWriter Association Norman is to support the development of songwriting, performance and recording skills of songwriters; to enhance public awareness of local songwriters through live showcases and other promotional activities; to provide a forum to share and exchange ideas, experiences, music, lyrics and tips about songwriting, performing and recording; and to create opportunities for public performances featuring local songwriters.

“Our overarching goal all along has been to enhance Norman,” Bendure said. “I’ve lived in Norman most of my life and always thought Norman had the potential to be another Austin. Finally other musicians and local artists of all media are beginning to see the power of connectedness and camaraderie. I think we’re really going to see Norman’s arts scenes explode, and SWAN is just one piece of that equation.”

Additional information about SWAN is available online at www.NormanSongWriters.org or www.NormanArts.org.