Sixth Annual Tennessee Songwriters Week Underway

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Tennessee Songwriters Week contestant. Photo: Courtesy of Hunter Berry Photography

It’s time for another Tennessee Songwriters Week, the competition series that showcases the talent of songwriters in the Volunteer State. Presented by the Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development, The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and Taylor Guitars, this year marks the sixth annual edition of the series.

Throughout late January, over 1,200 songwriters performed at nearly 50 qualifying round venues across the state, including Memphis, Collierville, Jackson, Cookeville, Murfreesboro, Linden, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, Bristol and more, for a chance to compete in the 2024 Tennessee Songwriters Week.

Now, select songwriters will move on to one of seven Tennessee Songwriters Week showcases, including at the Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis (Feb. 18), Bijou Theatre in Knoxville (Feb. 19), Songbirds Foundation in Chattanooga (Feb. 20), Ole Red in Gatlinburg (Feb. 21), The Down Home in Johnson City (Feb. 22), Temple Theatre in Portland (Feb. 23) and Franklin Theatre in Franklin (Feb. 24).

Seven finalists, one from each showcase, will earn the opportunity to perform at the iconic Bluebird Cafe during a private event in March with music industry professionals. Finalists will also win a branded commemorative Taylor guitar, a two-night stay in Nashville, a $100 gift card for travel and a one-year NSAI membership.

“Since the inception of the event, we have shared our mission with Tennessee Songwriters Week, to recognize the wealth of talent Tennessee has brought, and continues to bring, to the world,” says Erika Wollam Nichols, COO & General Manager of The Bluebird Cafe. “We are looking forward to this year’s week of music in February, culminating in the finale at The Bluebird in March.”

Judges for this year’s events include musicians, radio show hosts, publishers and Grammy-nominated producers as well as sister duo Tigirlily Gold, singer-songwriter Alex Hall, songwriter Adam Brown, singer-songwriter and producer Anthony Smith, country artist Butch Baker, independent soul artist Talibah Safiya, musician and entrepreneur McKenzii Webster, representatives from The Bluebird Cafe, NSAI, CMT and more. Judges consider lyric originality, performance and connection with the audience.

Past showcase winners include bop artist Harzee from Memphis, Chattanooga’s alternative blues and indie singer-songwriter Katrina Barclay, Middle Tennessee’s Jacob Rice and Maura Streppa.

LB Cantrell
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