Trying to plan what to see at Nashville’s Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival is an effort in futility. Over 350 songwriters are scheduled to perform tonight through Saturday, across ten legendary and intimate venues in Music City. Songwriters will perform their songs – whether they’ve recorded them themselves or had them released by another writer or an artist – in the round, often sharing stories behind the song’s creation along the way.
Many are famed in country, while others have found success in different genres: David Hodges, who plays Thursday at the Station Inn, fronted Evanescence; David Ryan Harris, who joins him at the 7pm round, co-wrote Guy Sebastian and Lupe Fiasco’s “Battle Scars.” Saturday’s late show features Kevin Kadish, whose recent accolades including writing and producing Meghan Trainor’s debut Title; Taylor Swift producer Nathan Chapman, Grammy-nominated writer-producer Mitch Allan (Kelly Clarkson’s “Heartbeat Song”), and Sean Douglas (Jason Derulo’s “Talk Dirty,” Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man”).
A slew of country’s strongest artist-writers will perform at this year’s festival. Kacey Musgraves, Kip Moore, Maddie & Tae, Kristian Bush, Craig Campbell, Will Hoge, Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris, as well as countless up and coming talented elite.
Country’s finest writers are set to perform as well, from newer talents to veterans like Tony Lane, Shane McAnally, Matraca Berg, Wendell Mobley, and Marcus Hummon.
Yes, we’re also overwhelmed. But it’s in the best way – Tin Pan South, produced by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), has the best taste in talent, and no matter where you end up this week, it’s sure to be excellent. Head over to their website for a full list of shows, performers, and most importantly, the schedule, for which you’ll want a sharpie or highlighter within arm’s reach.
