Qualifying rounds in 50 live music venues throughout Tennessee will determine the final participants in the fifth annual Tennessee Songwriters Week showcase events, to be held Feb. 19–25.
The project gives songwriters in all musical genres the chance to perform their best original works before a live audience and panel of judges.
Harvester Event Center in Smithville will host a qualifying round concert on Thursday, Feb. 2, and Common John Brewing Co. in Manchester presents its Tennessee Songwriters Week preliminary contest on Saturday, Feb. 4. Hop Springs in Murfreesboro and Carpe Cafe in Smyrna will also participate as 2023 qualifying round venues.
Harvester Event Center
Select songwriters from qualifying rounds will advance to seven showcase events in Memphis, Franklin, Gallatin, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Gatlinburg and Johnson City during Songwriters Week, Feb. 19–25.
Then, one winning songwriter will be selected by a panel of judges to play their original work at The Bluebird Cafe on March 26. In 2022, Maura Streppa received top Tennessee Songwriters Week honors.
Presented by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Tennessee Songwriters Week celebrates the foundation of the craft for which Tennessee is known—music—arguably the state’s biggest export to the world. The initiative supports music venues, songwriters and live performances in various genres and inspires travelers to visit Tennessee and experience the state’s music stories, history, attractions and venues.
For more information on Tennessee Songwriters Week, visit tnsongwritersweek.com.