Tennessee Songwriters Week

Welcome to Tennessee Songwriters Week 2026

Get ready for Tennessee Songwriters Week, an annual statewide celebration of the songwriters and the craft that shaped Tennessee’s rich musical history. The mission of Tennessee Songwriters Week is to support music venues, create live performance opportunities for songwriters, and inspire travelers to experience the state's vibrant music stories.

Venue Sign-up Information

Venues interested in hosting a qualifying round for Tennessee Songwriters Week in 2026 can sign up to be part of the official event. Hosting a qualifying round is a great way to support local songwriters and attract new visitors.

• Eligibility: Participating venues must be able to provide a stage and a sound system for live performances.

• Sign-ups: Venue sign-ups open on September 9, 2025 and close on December 5, 2025.  

• Process: After signing up, venues will be provided with guidelines and resources to help host a successful event.

Songwriter Sign-up Information

Tennessee is where countless musical legends have found their voice, and where new ones are being discovered every day. Tennessee Songwriters Week is your chance to perform your original work on a live stage, connect with fellow musicians and fans, and make your mark on the Tennessee music scene. 

• Eligibility: Participating songwriters cannot sign up and perform at multiple qualifying rounds. Songwriters must be 18 years of age or older and a legal resident of the United States. Duos and trios are also welcome to participate.  Songwriters don't need to be from Tennessee to enter. 

• Sign-ups: Songwriters can begin signing up for qualifying rounds starting December 11, 2025 until full (they fill quickly!).

• Process: If selected to move on from the qualifying round to the showcase, songwriters have the chance to compete to win the prize package and chance to perform at the Bluebird Café finale.

Important Dates for 2026

Mark your calendars! This year’s Tennessee Songwriters Week will be an exciting one, with qualifying rounds and showcases held across the state, culminating in a final performance at the world-famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

• Venue Sign-ups: September 9 - December 5, 2025

• Songwriter Sign-ups: December 11, 2025 until full

• Qualifying Rounds: January 25 - February 7, 2026

• Showcase Events:
  Hard Rock Cafe - Pigeon Forge - Feb. 23, 2026
  The Reserve - Kingsport - Feb. 23, 2026
  Lafayette's Music Room - Memphis - Feb. 25, 2026
  Barrelhouse Ballroom - Chattanooga - Feb. 25, 2026
  The Franklin Theatre - Franklin - Feb. 26, 2026
  Temple Theatre - Portland - Feb. 27, 2026
  Bijou Theatre - Knoxville - Feb. 28, 202
  

• Finale at the Bluebird Cafe: One winner from each showcase event will advance to a private finale at the Bluebird Cafe in March 2026.

Important Resources and Links

To learn more about the event, sign up, or get involved, check out these essential resources:

• Official Rules: To see all the rules and eligibility requirements for participating songwriters, please refer to the official Tennessee Songwriters Week Sweepstakes Official Rules.

• FAQs: Discover the most frequently asked questions about Tennessee Songwriters Week.

• Participating Venue Toolkit: Find helpful guides and marketing materials to make your venue's event a success in the 2026 Partner Toolkit.

The Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development, The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and Taylor Guitars are committed to make sure songwriters can share their original work on stage with other writers.