Tennessee Songwriters Week Comes to Johnson City and Kingsport

Local songwriters compete for chance to perform at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:07pm

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The qualifying round for Tennessee Songwriters Week is coming to the Boones Creek Opry in Johnson City on Thursday, where local judges will select the top three songwriters to advance to the regional competition in Kingsport on February 23. The finalists from each region will win prizes including a Taylor guitar, Nashville hotel stay, gift card, songwriting workshop, and membership to the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

Why it matters

Tennessee Songwriters Week was established in 2019 to support local music venues and musicians across the state, providing a platform for aspiring songwriters to showcase their original work and connect with industry professionals. The competition helps to nurture Tennessee's vibrant music scene and uncover new talent.

The details

The qualifying round at the Boones Creek Opry will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, with judges evaluating the songwriters based on lyric originality, performance, and audience connection. The top three performers will advance to the regional showcase in Kingsport, where they will compete to win a private performance at the renowned Bluebird Cafe in Nashville along with other prizes.

  • The qualifying round in Johnson City is on Thursday, January 30, 2026.
  • The regional showcase in Kingsport is on February 23, 2026.

The players

Boones Creek Opry

A music venue in Johnson City, Tennessee that is hosting the qualifying round for Tennessee Songwriters Week.

The Reserve

A music venue in Kingsport, Tennessee that is hosting the regional showcase for Tennessee Songwriters Week.

Bluebird Cafe

A renowned music venue in Nashville, Tennessee where the finalists from the regional showcases will perform.

Nashville Songwriters Association International

A non-profit organization that supports and promotes songwriters, and is providing a membership to the finalists of Tennessee Songwriters Week.

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What’s next

The judges in Johnson City will select the top three songwriters to advance to the regional showcase in Kingsport on February 23, 2026.

The takeaway

Tennessee Songwriters Week provides a valuable platform for aspiring musicians across the state to showcase their talents and connect with industry professionals, helping to nurture the local music scene and uncover new artistic voices.