While Nashville has long been known as Music City, that deep passion for music can be felt across the entire state of Tennessee. At the core of this musical legacy are the songwriters for whom Tennessee passed a state statute in 2019 to spotlight these oft-unsung heroes with an annual celebration of music’s past, present, and future. The tradition continues with Tennessee Songwriters Week, which takes place during the last week of February.
Videos by American Songwriter
The event connects gifted songwriters with revered venues and passionate fans throughout Tennessee to celebrate the state’s rich music heritage. Since its launch, Tennessee Songwriters Week has showcased more than 5,000 songwriters and has become an annual celebration where songwriters have the opportunity to share their original voices. Seven finalists are selected for a coveted slot to perform at the iconic Bluebird Cafe.
“Arguably Our Biggest Export to the World”
“Tennessee is the home of seven genres of music, making it not only a vital part of our state’s culture and heritage but arguably our biggest export to the world,” according to the Tennessee Department of Tourism. Tennessee Songwriters Week is hosted during the final week of February to honor this aspect of the state’s heritage. It begins with in-person qualifying rounds at participating music venues in seven key cities: Memphis, Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Bristol, Chattanooga, Portland, and Franklin. The cities have been selected based on their cultural impact on the music scene across the state.
A panel of judges at each qualifying-round venue selects two songwriters to advance to the seven showcase event venues. Songwriters will be evaluated in the Song Quality category, considering lyrical originality, and the Performance category, focusing on instrumental sound and the songwriters’ ability to connect with the audience.
Taking Flight to the Bluebird
The week culminates with a special performance at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Cafe by the seven finalists chosen from each venue. In addition to the opportunity to perform on this esteemed stage, the songwriters who perform at the Bluebird will receive prizes, including a two-night hotel stay in Nashville, a songwriting workshop with the Bluebird Cafe team, and a one-year membership to the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).
Entries may be submitted by a single songwriter, a duo, or a trio who has yet to win a showcase event previously. If entering as a duo or trio, the individual who submits the online entry will be eligible for the prize receipt.
Find information on how to enter this year’s contest at tnvacation. com/songwriters-week.
You can also find important dates for Tennessee Songwriters Week 2025 below:
January 26, 2025 – February 8, 2025
Songwriters perform at qualifying rounds across the state.
Select songwriters who win qualifying rounds will advance to showcase events.
Tennessee Songwriters Week Showcases in 7 Cities:
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025
Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis
2119 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025
Bijou Theatre in Knoxville
803 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Ole Red in Gatlinburg
511 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
NEW – Paramount Bristol in Bristol
518 State St, Bristol, TN 37620
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025
NEW – Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga
200 E M L King Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37403
Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
Temple Theatre in Portland
109 N Russell St, Portland, TN 37148
Saturday, March 1, 2025
The Franklin Theatre in Franklin,
419 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
Sunday, Mar. 30, 2025
Finale – Bluebird Cafe
(7 finalists will perform their original songs)
This year’s Tennessee Songwriters Week promises a new crop of talented writers, who are more than up to the task of representing the Tennessee music scene.
Tennessee Songwriters Week Showcase Venues
Contestants advancing to the showcase events will get the opportunity to play in some of the most historic music venues in Tennessee. Learn a little bit more about each venue’s history below.
Lafayette’s Music Room: The Memphis showcase will be held at Lafayette’s Music Room. The ’70s staple helped launch the careers of Billy Joel, Big Star, KISS, Barry Manilow, J.J. Cale, and Leon Russell. And the venue’s history is alive and well today. Rock musicians, R&B singers, and more all take to Lafayette’s to dish out their unique brands of musicianship.
The Bijou: The Bijou is one of East Tennessee’s oldest venues. It’s been praised for its sound quality, and everything from vaudeville to opera to rock shows has been played in its hallowed halls.
Ole Red: Country music star Blake Shelton owns several Ole Red locations scattered around the country. The Gatlinburg location is hosting one of the showcase events. The bar/concert venue prides itself on highlighting up-and-coming musicians and established acts alike.
Paramount Bristol: New to Tennessee Songwriters Week in 2025 is the Paramount Bristol. Much like Nashville, the city of Bristol (which sits on the Tennessee/Virginia line) is known for its storied musical history. Nestled in the city’s center is the Paramount Bristol, a multifaceted arts venue dating back to 1931. Operating with the mantra “It’s more than a ticket, it’s an experience,” the Paramount is a landmark that’s hosted everyone from Ernest Tubb to Western actor Johnny Mack Brown.
Bessie Smith Cultural Center: The Bessie Smith Cultural Center, named in honor of famed ‘30s blues singer Bessie Smith, is also making its Tennessee Songwriters Week debut. The Chattanooga-based venue aims to preserve and celebrate Black history and culture. In addition to hosting live shows and community events, the venue also serves as an educational institution to highlight the contributions of influential Black figures in the Chattanooga area.
The Temple Theatre: The Temple Theatre is a renovated 1930s-era venue that harkens back to the golden age of cinema. After being closed for a period of time, the quaint Portland, Tennessee, community rallied around its restoration. Outside, the glowing lights of the Grand Marquis attract visitors to the intimate venue, while inside, the comfortable setting creates a meaningful experience for music lovers. Coincidentally, the TSW qualifying round in 2023 was the first performance in the Temple since it was restored. Visit Sumner team was so impressed with the restoration, they decided to change the showcase venue from The Palace to the Temple.
Franklin Theatre: The Franklin Theatre has endured since the ’30s, as well. Today, the venue hosts both movie showings and live music. The theater with its classic charm is an indelible fixture on Main Street in downtown Franklin.
The Bluebird Café: As any songwriter will tell you, The Bluebird Café is the place to be if you want to get your songs out into the world. The Nashville hot spot has seen many world-class musicians—artists and songwriters alike—perform on its stage. A short list includes Keith Urban, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kris Kristofferson, Carole King, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Taylor Swift, and Townes Van Zandt.
Tennessee’s Historic Music Destinations
While Tennessee Songwriters Week covers a good amount of ground when it comes to historic destinations in Tennessee, there are plenty more where they came from. You can find other can’t-miss Tennessee destinations for music lovers below!
Graceland: You can’t visit Tennessee without swinging by Graceland. Who wouldn’t want to visit the place The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll himself called home? On top of seeing the space Elvis Presley occupied from 1957 until his death, the experience includes an exhibition space, a performance venue, and an extensive automobile collection.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is the world’s largest music museum. Naturally, there is much to see inside the downtown Nashville staple. From galleries to theaters to education centers and shops, the Country Music Hall of Fame is a must-see space for all country music fanatics.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music: Also in Memphis, the Stax Museum is the definitive home of soul history. Located on the site of the original Stax Records building—where the likes of Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and Isaac Hayes recorded—the museum is chock full of interactive exhibits highlighting key points during the golden age of soul.
The Caverns: Certain venues just seem to make music sound better. The Caverns in Pelham is one such place. The venue is located inside a cave, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for the powerful music being played there.
Birthplace of Country Music Museum: It’s hard to pin such a vast cultural phenomenon down to a specific place and time. Country music, however, can be traced back to Bristol, Tennessee, where The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers first brought the genre to the masses. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum treks a course through country music’s earliest days.
West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center: The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center was converted from the small school Tina Turner attended into a museum hosting her memorabilia and that of other West Tennessee natives, including Carl Perkins.
Loretta Lynn’s Ranch: Loretta Lynn built her museum in the ’60s to house the many memorabilia items from her storied career. Today, that museum has expanded to include live music, trail rides, a museum dedicated to her Cherokee ancestry, and more.
All Photo courtesy of TSW
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