First Annual Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival Slated For August

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The First Annual Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival is set to take place in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge on August 19-22. The nights will be filled with performances from top songwriters including Tony Arata, Lee Roy Parnell, Will Nance, Steve Dean, and many more.

Songwriters attending the conference will have the opportunity to be mentored one-on-one by industry professionals, perfect their craft, perform live shows, collaborate in writing sessions, and advance their careers. Industry executives attending this year include Mark Brown, SVP & GM Round Hill Music, Blake Chancey, music producer and owner of RPM Music Group. Devon O’Day, songwriter, career radio host, and streaming host of Mainstream Today will be hosting the event.

Nestled in the heart of The Great Smoky Mountains, the three-day conference and live music event will feature nightly shows by hit songwriters in venues including The Listening Room—Pigeon Forge, Ole Red, SkyLift Park, Park Vista Hotel and The Historic Gatlinburg Inn.

“The Listening Room is thrilled to support the Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival,” says Chris Blair, owner and operator of The Listening Room. “As we open our new music venue in Pigeon Forge this summer, we are excited to host these talented songwriters, and infuse even more live music into the Smokies.”

On August 19, there will be a special kick-off celebration commemorating the legacy of Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, the writers behind many hits, including “Rocky Top,” which has become the unofficial anthem of East Tennessee. The Bryants, who are highlighted in Ken Burns acclaimed documentary, Country Music, will be remembered with the installation of a new TN Music Pathways Marker at The Historic Gatlinburg Inn. Conference attendees will also have the opportunity to book writing sessions in historic room #388 where many of the Bryant’s tunes were penned.

There are a variety of options to attend, with most performances free and open to the public. Special events can be attended with a $30 membership, one-night show tickets, or special event tickets, all of which are available at gatlinburgsongwriters.com/attend.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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