Hey, hidden gems and twangy string pluckers—Tennessee is officially summoning its annual clan of Songsmiths. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has flung the doors open for the seventh straight year of Tennessee Songwriters Week, a bash celebrating local songwriting talent that any troubadour from Memphis to Mountain City can sign up for right now, as reported today by the department's news portal.
Unlike the glitzy TV talent show affairs you might be used to, Tennessee's songwriter showdown keeps it real with performances held at nearly 50 locales, from cozy breweries to historic theaters, starting in late January. According to the state's official website, songwriters aiming for stardom—or at least a good time—can pick one spot to vie for their shot at big-name venues, including an invite-only gig at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe. But hey, choose carefully because you've got just one shot at a qualifying round venue to make your mark.
The statewide music melee isn't just throw-downs in dimly lit rooms. Those who make it through can strut at seven showcase events across Tennessee, from Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis to the Franklin Theatre in Franklin. Each of these showcases, slated to light up stages between February 25 and March 1, will spotlight a different piece of Tennessee’s rich musical tapestry, spanning genres and stitching American music history's fabric. One winner from each will take their tunes to the Bluebird, not to mention scoring a year's membership with the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and their very own Taylor guitar, as mentioned on the event's website.
No gimmicks here, just originality and a knack for resonating with an audience. Each hopeful's song will be judged by "quality of the song (original lyrics/melody and clear narrative) and performance (ability to understand lyrics and connection with the audience)," per the event's official rules. For the dreamers looking to twist a melodic vine into Tennessee's musical mythology—and maybe get your hands on that shiny new Taylor—hit up tnsongwritersweek.com and pencil yourself in for the competition, as documented by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
The collaboration backing this is a veritable who's who of the local music scene, featuring partners ranging from The Bluebird Cafe to Taylor Guitars, all joining forces to amplify the voices of those soon-to-be-heard songwriters. It's a chorus of support that ensures each chord struck, note sung, and the word scribbled has a chance to echo out beyond the Volunteer State. Stay tuned to @tnvacation, #tnsongwritersweek, and #tnsoundsperfect on social media to follow the journey of these troubadours as they attempt to carve out their pieces of musical heritage. Or better yet, if you've got the tunes, join the fray.
