Tin Pan South Kicks Off 25 Years With Dynamic Hitmakers

Pictured (L-R): Cary Barlowe, Hillary Lindsey, Brothers Osborne, Audra Mae. Not pictured: Sean McConnell. Photo: Tin Pan South

Where wasn’t there talent performing last night (March 28)? The 25th Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival officially began at 10 venues across Nashville.

Early shows included a surprise appearance by Keith Urban during a Station Inn show with Ross Copperman and their BOOM published writers Logan Turner, Cali Rodi and Jordan Minton.

SMACK’s Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally played with Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey and Trevor Rosen at the Listening Room Café while SOURCE hosted Danielle Bradbery, Jaida Dreyer, Jo Smith and Lari White at Whiskey Rhythm Saloon.

Keith Urban. Photo: Tin Pan South

Pictured (L-R): Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne. Photo: instagram.com/shanemcanally

Songwriters Danielle Bradbery, Jaida Dreyer, Jo Smith and Lari White with SOURCE leadership. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

While there were no surprise appearances for the early show at 3rd & Lindsley other than Cary Barlowe, playing guitar for wife and hit maker Hillary Lindsey, Sean McConnell’s round did include major label artists Brothers Osborne in addition to Audra Mae.

In what may have seemed like an oblong paring, the dynamic 3rd & Lindsley round featured the electrifying guitar embellishments from John Osborne, whose brother self-deprecatingly joked of “Stay A Little Longer” as their [singular] hit. The reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year continued to play a new title, “Shoot Me Straight” among the lively set.

Mae, with a rambunctious vibe similar to that of Elle King, pulled out her Miranda Lambert smash, “Little Red Wagon,” in addition to her McConnell co-write, “Riding Shotgun,” which was recorded by Christina Aguilera and Buddy Miller for Nashville.

With signature glacial-clear vocals, McConnell played through his own crowd-rouser “Save Our Soul” and welcomed Lindsey for their more subdued but potent Jake Owen heartbreak title, “When You Love Someone.”

Lindsey herself was a trooper, putting up with taunting from the stage about her 18 No. 1 singles, of which she played Carrie Underwood’s “Dirty Laundry” and Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush.” New titles previewed included a suggestive Love Junkies housewife fantasy, titled “Bed We Made,” alongside an existentially reflective, “Before The Curtain Call.”

Rounds continued at 9 p.m. including husband/wife Rodney Clawson and Nicolle Galyon (with special guests including RaeLynn, Rhett Akins, Jimmy Robbins, Dallas Davidson, Lori McKenna, Claire Douglas, Brad Clawson, Emily Weisband, Tom Douglas) at 3rd & Lindsley.

The Country bar, near Centennial Park, welcomed Matt McGinn, Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins and Kristen Arian while the Bluebird Café hosted Allen Shamblin, Lee Roy Parnell, Larry Gatlin and Aaron Baker. Big Machine Music’s Tucker Beathard, Jonathan Singleton and Luke Combs were featured at the Hard Rock Café with Casey Beathard (Little Louder), all presented NASH FM 103.3.

Pictured (L-R Back row): BMI songwriter Claire Douglas, BMI’s Bradley Collins, BMI songwriter Lori McKenna, songwriter Jimmy Robbins, BMI songwriters Nicolle Galyon and Rodney Clawson, BMI’s Jody Williams, BMI songwriters Dallas Davidson, Brad Clawson and Tom Douglas. (Front row): Songwriters RaeLynn and Emily Weisband. Photo: Steve Lowry

Pictured (L-R): Casey Beathard, Tucker Beathard, Jonathan Singleton and Luke Combs. Photo: Big Machine Music

Allen Shamblin, Lee Roy Parnell, Larry Gatlin and Aaron Baker at The Bluebird Cafe. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Allen Shamblin, Lee Roy Parnell, Larry Gatlin and Aaron Baker with guests at The Bluebird Cafe. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser