The inaugural Tennessee Songwriters Week kicks off Feb. 17-23 with open mic nights, songwriting competitions, showcases and in-the-round sessions across the state. The week celebrates the foundation of the craft, recognizes past and present songwriters and paves the way for future artists. For a complete list of events across Tennessee, visit tnvacation.com/calendar.
Feb. 16
Brownsville – Regional songwriters perform a Songwriting Showcase and Open Jam Session 1-5 p.m. at West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. The event is open to any genre of music.
Feb. 17-23
Gatlinburg – Crystelle Creek Restaurant & Grill provides live entertainment from songwriters and musicians every night. If guests dine on the second Monday of the month, they can see special concerts from the award-winning artists who participate in the Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival. This year’s festival is Aug. 11-18, 2019.
Feb. 18
Nashville – Get up close and personal with legendary hit songwriters and Nashville’s hottest rising stars at Big Stage Mondays Hit Songwriters Show presented by Backstage Nashville featuring Ray Stephenson 2: 30 p.m. at 3rd & Lindsley 2:30 p.m.
Feb. 19
Memphis – Twenty-five songwriters compete during one of four Songwriters Night Roadshows 7 p.m. at Lafayette’s Music Room. The top songwriter from each of the four events will perform March 31 at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
Nashville – Douglas Corner Café hosts an Open Mic every Tuesday at 8 p.m. To sign up, call 615-292-2530 between 1-6 p.m. on the Tuesday you wish to play. Songwriters must be on site at 8 p.m. and are able to to perform two songs.
Feb. 20
Chattanooga – Songbirds Guitar Museum’s South Stage hosts a Rhythm & Brews Open Mic Jam Session. Bring your friends to come jam. Each week, a different local brewery takes over their taps. Sign-ups start at 7:30 p.m. The free event is 7:30-11 p.m.
Feb. 21
Franklin – Singer/songwriters Laurel Wright and Wesley Lunsford, the Young Fables, take the stage at 7 p.m. at Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant.
Chattanooga – Twenty-five songwriters compete during one of four Songwriters Night Roadshows 7 p.m. at The Camp House. The top songwriter from each of the four events will perform March 31 at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
Farragut – Grab your friends and enjoy a ladies night out. Three local, female singer-songwriters share their music at the inaugural Ladies Night Songwriters Showcase 7-9 p.m. at The Casual Pint.
Pulaski – The Songwriter’s Dream Series 7 p.m. at Martin Methodist College reveals the stories behind the songs with performances by Mo Pitney and Bobby Tomberlin.
Jonesborough – Songwriters can bring their instruments and Join the Jam 6-7 p.m. at Jonesborough Senior Center. All levels are welcome. Bring your ukulele, guitar, banjo or bass.
Feb. 22
Crossville – Three-time No. 1 hit Billboard Country songwriter Dave Pahanish takes the stage 6 p.m. at Grinder House Coffee Shop’s live “In the House” singer-songwriter show.
Knoxville – Twenty-five songwriters compete during one of four Songwriters Night Roadshows 7 p.m. at WDVX at Visit Knoxville. The top songwriter from each of the four events will perform March 31 at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
*Knoxville is well known for its music artists, but it’s lesser known how many great songwriters got their start in the city. Check out the city’s History of Songwriting.
Linden –The Commodore Hotel hosts a Tennessee Songwriters Week Open Mic Night 6-9 p.m. at the Commodore Music Café. Songwriters can come prepared with one or two original songs in an acoustic performance on stage.
Feb. 22-23
Monteagle – Music on the Mountain 7-10:30 p.m. at Jim Oliver’s Smoke House Restaurant features some of the best artists and songwriters from Nashville. All shows are free and family-friendly.
Feb. 23
Nashville – “Miss Country Soul” Jeannie Seely with special guest Tim Atwood host a Songwriter Session 11:30 a.m. at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Attendees must have a program pass and seating is limited.
Nashville – Listen to hit songs performed by the legendary songwriters who wrote them at Nashville’s only daytime Backstage Nashville! Songwriters Show, featuring Ray Stephenson 12:30 p.m. at 3rd and Lindsley.
Franklin – Songwriter and guitarist Webb Wilder shines 8:30 p.m. at Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant’s Live Hitmakers Series. Tickets are $12.
Murfreesboro – Live at Puckett’s Hitmakers Series spotlights Dylan Altman, Brice Long and Phillip White 8:30 p.m. at Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant. Tickets are $12.
Columbia – The Live at Puckett’s Hitmakers Series spotlights songwriters Byron Hill and Wil Nance 8:30 p.m. at Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant. Tickets are $12. Seating starts at 7:30 p.m.
Granville – The Kevin Prater Band takes the stage at Sutton Ole Time Music Hour 6-8 p.m. at the T.B. Sutton General Store. Tickets are $20 for dinner and admission.
Johnson City – Twenty-five songwriters compete during one of four Songwriters Night Roadshows 7 p.m. at The Down Home. The top songwriter from each of the four events will perform March 31 at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
Waverly – Local songwriters showcase their talent during Songwriter’s Open Mic Night 7-9 p.m. at SoulShine. Songwriters get a chance to win an opening performance with Tayla Lynn and Tre Twitty on July 6 at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch.
Knoxville – Singer-songwriter Matt Foster takes the stage 8 p.m. at the Corner Lounge.
Farragut – Celebrate Tennessee Songwriters Week with the inaugural Songwriters Showcase: Songwriters in the Round 7-11 p.m. at The Casual Pint with four singer/songwriters.
Morristown – The Rose Center Council for the Arts will host a Songwriter’s Retrospective: Pickers & Pros. The concert will feature five songwriters from around the region. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.
