Johnson City:Tennessee Songwriters Week Qualifying Round

Discover the musical story of Tennessee from the ones who are writing it. Helmed by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Tennessee Songwriters Week, now in its fifth year, is underway with more than 50 qualifying rounds at music venues, restaurants, museums, coffee shops, and more in seven musically distinct regions across the state. For the first time, in partnership between Visit Johnson City and Boones Creek Museum and Opry, the Tennessee Songwriters Week Johnson City Qualifying Round will take place February 9th at 6pm at the Boones Creek Opry.

Local judges within the songwriting community will consider lyric originality, performance, and connection with the audience. Three songwriters will be chosen to advance from the Johnson City Qualifying Round and perform at the Regional Showcase Round at The Down Home in Johnson City on February 22nd. These qualifying round winners will be joined by other selected songwriters from their respective rounds in Northeast Tennessee.

One songwriter will be chosen at The Down Home, along with six others from the regional showcases across the state. They will win the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at the legendary Bluebird Cafe during a private event in March with music industry professionals. Finalists will also win a branded commemorative Taylor guitar, a two-night hotel stay in Nashville, $100 gift card for travel, and a one-year membership to Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).

“The Boones Creek Opry is honored to be a qualifying round host in partnership with Visit Johnson City. It has given us the opportunity to promote Boones Creek, Tennessee’s first community, Northeast Tennessee’s musical heritage and culture, songwriters, and Johnson City tourism”, said Vicki Shell of the Boones Creek Historical Trust.

Seating for the Johnson City Qualifying Round is on a first come, first serve basis and has limited capacity. There are no advance ticket sales, and the public is encouraged to donate $2 or more at the door.

Tennessee Songwriters Week was established in 2019 to support music venues, celebrate songwriters with live performances in all genres of music, drive visitation and inspire travelers to experience the state’s music stories, history, attractions and venues. Since its inception, more than 3,500 songwriters have shared their original music across Tennessee stages during the annual celebration.

The Boones Creek Opry was founded by the Boones Creek Historical Trust as a way to preserve, exhibit, and celebrate the traditional culture of East Tennessee and its oldest community.

Visit Johnson City strives to showcase the uniqueness of the community by promoting its distinctive resources, events, and attractions to both visitors and citizens. To learn more about Visit Johnson City, go to VisitJohnsonCityTN.com.