Hear Songwriters Write Themselves a New Future in the World of Music as Tennessee Songwriters Week Kicks Off

Jan. 31-Feb. 12 (Qualifying Rounds) Feb. 20-26 (Showcases)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jan. 31, 2022 – Tennessee Songwriters Week kicks off today with more than 35 qualifying rounds at venues across the state. Hear up-and-coming songwriters take to the stage in hopes of writing themselves a new future in the world of music. Winners from qualifying rounds will advance to one of six showcases:

Puckett’s Franklin in Franklin – Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022
The Bijou Theatre in Knoxville – Monday, Feb. 21, 2022
Songbirds Foundation in Chattanooga – Monday, Feb. 21, 2022
The Down Home in Johnson City – Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022
Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis – Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022
Ole Red in Gatlinburg – Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022

Six finalists, one from each showcase, will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at the legendary Bluebird Cafe during a private event with music industry professionals in March. Additional prizes for finalists include a one-year membership to NSAI, a branded commemorative Taylor guitar, two-night hotel stay in Nashville and a $100 gift card.

“Tennessee Songwriters Week not only celebrates the foundation of the craft, it also lifts and presents talented songwriters from all parts of the state who are building their careers,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “We’re also thrilled to support music venues and inspire travelers to experience our state’s rich music stories at museums, attractions and festivals.”

In addition to qualifying rounds and showcases, there are special events happening across the state, including a Songwriter Workshop with hit songwriter T.W. Hale at the Commodore Hotel & Music Café in Linden, a Farragut Songwriters Showcase featuring local singer-songwriters and the inspiration behind the songs and South Main Sounds Songwriter Night in Memphis.

Test your knowledge of Tennessee’s music stories at tnvacation on Instagram for special trivia Feb. 20-26, 2022. Follow the music at tnsongwritersweek.com. Sing along to Tennessee songs while uncovering the stories of producers, songwriters and artists who changed the world.

Tennessee Music Pathways
Tennessee Music History Destinations
Discover Tennessee’s Small Town Music Sites
Take a Music Journey through Tennessee
Attend an Event during Tennessee Songwriters Week
Find Resources for Songwriters
Add These Tennessee Music Festivals to Your Calendar

Tennessee hosts several festivals throughout the year dedicated to songwriters, including Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival in Nashville, Memphis Songwriters Series and Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival.

Tennessee Tourism, The Bluebird Cafe and the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) are committed to make sure songwriters can share their original work on stage with other writers. In 2019, a state statute passed, annually designating the last full week of February each year as “Tennessee Songwriters Week.”

Follow along with #madeinTN #nowplayingTN

ABOUT TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT

Tennessee is the home of the blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly, and rock ‘n’ roll— delivering an unparalleled experience of beauty, history, and family adventure, infused with music, that creates a vacation that is the “Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” Explore more at tnvacation.com and join other Tennessee travelers by following “TNVacation” on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube, and “Tennessee” on Snapchat.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jill Kilgore

Jill.Kilgore@tn.gov

Mary-Katelyn Price

MaryKatelyn.Price@tn.gov