Calling All Songwriters:
Sign Ups Underway for
Tennessee Songwriters Week 2023

Nashville, Tenn. – (Dec. 15, 2022) Songwriters can now sign up for the 2023 Tennessee Songwriters Week Qualifying Rounds at more than 30 venues across the state. Winners of the qualifying rounds will advance to showcase events at Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis, Puckett’s Franklin, The Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, Songbirds Foundation in Chattanooga, Ole Red in Gatlinburg and The Down Home in Johnson City. In addition, the six showcase finalists will earn prizes, including performing at the historic Bluebird Cafe, a one-year-membership to Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and a branded commemorative guitar.

Songwriters will be judged based on their overall performance, originality and connection to the audience. A state statute designated the last full week of February each year as Tennessee Songwriters Week. The mission of the initiative is to support music venues, generate awareness of songwriters’ contributions to Tennessee, pave the way for future artists, inspire travelers to experience the state’s music stories, history, attractions and venues, and drive revenue for music venues devesasted by the pandemic.

Timeline of Events

• 1/29-2/11/23 – Qualifying Rounds Take Place Statewide
• 2/19-2/25/23 – Showcase Events Take Place Statewide
• 3/26/2023 – Finale at The Bluebird Cafe (private event)

Here are some guidelines specific to the qualifying round in Cleveland, Tennessee. 

• Each artist will perform one original song with music and lyrics.
• No more than three performers will be on stage at one time and one of those performers must be the songwriter.
• No drums that require setup will be allowed in the performances. Only handheld, carryon drums will be allowed.
• No soundcheck or warm up time on stage is provided.  A green room will be provided for tuning and warm up.
• The first 20 songwriters whose submission is received and vetted by a screening committee will be selected to perform.
• The sample of your work submitted upon application does not have to be the song that will be entered into competition.
• You may only register for one qualifying round. Space is limited and you cannot take up space at two qualifying events. Registration lists are shared with state organizers.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development partners with The Bluebird Cafe, NSAI, music venues and local convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers and partners across the state, all committed to make sure songwriters can share their original work onstage with other writers.

Follow along with Tennessee Songwriters Week by following @tnvcation and #madeinTN, #NowPlayingTN