About us
Verbal tradition holds that Songmakers was started in the late 1940's as an informal jamming group. A 1963 newsletter reported the club was formally launched in 1953 as a "workshop" for songwriters. Since then it has evolved into a mutual support and social group for songwriters, musicians and singers wanting to improve their craft, meet like-minded folks, play lots of music together, and generally have a lot of FUN! Songmakers was incorporated in the '60s as a non-profit organization with a set of by-laws, a board of directors, and a more formal organizational structure. However, we don't let that interfere with our FUN! Songmakers is somewhat like a folk music club, except that we welcome and embrace a more eclectic mix of musical genres and styles, including country, oldies, bluegrass, gospel, blues, humorous songs, and of course folk. The only common thread is that most (but not all) of what we do is acoustic and FUN! Hoots, Song Circles, and musical camping weekends are our main activities. A Hoot is a Songmakers sanctioned, formal get-together, usually at a private home, attended by from 8 to 50 people. Everyone gets one or more turns at which time they may either Perform a song, Lead a sing-along song, request a song or performance by someone else, or simply "Pass." Song circles are similar but informal, and often held in public venues such as restaurants. Songmakers hosts about 20 Hoots or song circles per month in locations from Orange County to Ventura County. We have a Summer picnic, a February "RoundUp" (concert and election meeting) and 4-6 music camping weekends every year. We currently have about 300 members, mostly musicians ranging from beginning to professional, but also just plain folks that love to hear acoustic music. We joined the MeetUp social network to spread the word! MeetUp members will receive a free month of Songmakers membership according to our current rules. After a month, we hope they will want to stay, and pay our incredibly inexpensive annual dues of $10 per household - the best entertainment deal in Southern California! Some of our events will be listed on MeetUp, and the full calendar can be accessed through our website: Songmakers.org.
Upcoming events
16
West Los Angeles Hoot and Potluck
Location not specified yetWEST LA HOOT & Potluck - contact Mha Atma Khalsa, Los Angeles. Pot Luck at 6 pm. 818-613-6073
## When: Sunday February 22, 2026, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
This Hoot will be live in person.
## Limited to Songmakers members. (If you are not yet a member sign up at songmakers.org--membership costs $10/year.)
## This Hoot will be limited to 20 people, and if we are full you can be on the waitlist. If you register and then find you cannot attend please remove your registration so someone on the waitlist can come.
Where: At the home of Marty Oaklander & Mha Atma Khalsa, West Los Angeles (818) 613-6073. (IF you are new, after you sign up call for exact address.)
Hoot Leader: Louise Dobbs
Please bring potluck to be served at 6:00pm during the break.
Everyone gets one or more turns at which time they may either Perform a song, Lead a sing-along song, request a song or performance by someone else, or simply "Pass." We encourage songs that others can join in on by singing and or playing along!
Also see songmakers.org for additional Songmakers meetup events.
http://www.songmakers.org/hoots/Songmakers_WLA_02-29-2004-006.JPG16 attendeesWest Los Angeles Hoot and Potluck
Location not specified yetWEST LA HOOT & Potluck - contact Mha Atma Khalsa, Los Angeles. Pot Luck at 6 pm. 818-613-6073
## When: Sunday March 22, 2026, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
This Hoot will be live in person.
## Limited to Songmakers members. (If you are not yet a member sign up at songmakers.org--membership costs $10/year.)
## This Hoot will be limited to 20 people, and if we are full you can be on the waitlist. If you register and then find you cannot attend please remove your registration so someone on the waitlist can come.
Where: At the home of Marty Oaklander & Mha Atma Khalsa, West Los Angeles (818) 613-6073. mhaatma@earthlink.net (IF you are new, after you sign up call, text or email for exact address.)
Hoot Leader: Louise Dobbs
Please bring potluck to be served at 6:00pm during the break.
Everyone gets one or more turns at which time they may either Perform a song, Lead a sing-along song, request a song or performance by someone else, or simply "Pass." We encourage songs that others can join in on by singing and or playing along!
Also see songmakers.org for additional Songmakers meetup events.
http://www.songmakers.org/hoots/Songmakers_WLA_02-29-2004-006.JPG10 attendees
Past events
444
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