Media Alert: 7 Finalists Win Career-Defining Chance to Perform at the Legendary Bluebird Cafe During Tennessee Songwriters Week 2024

Tuesday, February 27, 2024 | 10:00am

Clockwise from top left to bottom right: Izzy Arthurs, Jacc Moran, Ned Abernathy, Jeremy Wise, Echoing Sunset, Jack Settle and Meagan Allen. High-res photos for media use only courtesy Tennessee Tourism and special photo courtesies in each album title

Blake Shelton makes a surprise video call to talk to the audience and songwriters at the
Tennessee Songwriters Week showcase at Ole Red in Gatlinburg on Wednesday, February 21.
high-res photo for media use only courtesy Ole Red

Country Duo Tigirlily Gold served as judges at the Tennessee Songwriters Week showcase event at the Temple Theatre in Portland, Tennessee and performed their song “I Tried On A Ring.” High-res photos for media use only courtesy Hunter Berry Photography

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Feb. 27, 2024 – Seven songwriters are positioned for a career-defining moment as they prepare to share their original songs on stage at the iconic Bluebird Cafe in March after winning showcases statewide during Tennessee Songwriters Week. In the program’s sixth year, over 1,200 songwriters performed at qualifying rounds in February at more than 50 venues, museums, attractions and cafes to advance to the seven showcase events.

Highlights from the seven showcases include:

Izzy Arthurs won with her original song “Long Time Coming” during the showcase at Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis. Arthurs is a singer-songwriter from Jackson, Tennessee. From a young age, she was captivated by the art of storytelling and performance. She’s ready to pursue a life in music and sharing stories.
At The Bijou in Knoxville, Jacc Moran impressed the judges with his song “Gasp.” Moran is the singer and main songwriter of the band Run 40. He grew up in Memphis and has been living in Knoxville for almost a decade and thanks Knoxville’s music community for their support and kindness. Run 40’s debut EP, High Water, releases this month.
Ned Abernathy’s “Tennessee and You” won at Songbirds Foundation’s new venue located in Chattanooga. Raised in small town Georgia, Abernathy moved to Nashville in 2022. Abernathy developed his writing chops penning one heartbreak song after another, with a style all his own and stories that he says border on being “too honest.” With the release of his EP coming later in 2024, be sure to catch this new up-and-coming artist out on the road.
Songwriters at Ole Red in Gatlinburg received a surprise video call from none other than Blake Shelton to offer career advice after they performed their original songs. Finalist Jeremy Wise, a singer-songwriter from Cosby, Tennessee, stole the hearts of judges and the crowd. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wise’s older brother, Elijah, bought him a Martin guitar for graduation. He spent quarantine sitting beside his brother learning how to play. Jeremy followed in his brother Elijah’s footsteps at Ole Red, as Elijah won the Tennessee Songwriters Week showcase on the same stage in 2023. Now, Jeremy Wise plays shows at local venues and works a full-time job in a weld shop to chase his dreams.
At The Down Home in Johnson City, the judges were inspired by the song “Habit to Break” and the story of Jessie Rogers, stage name Echoing Sunset. Blind from birth, Rogers found a deep love for writing and music at an early age; making up short stories during free-write time at school and singing at her church. Since 2020, Rogers released three singles under the name Echoing Sunset, and hopes to release an EP in the coming year.
Jack Settle won at The Temple Theatre in Portland with his toe-tapping song, “Talkin’ to Jack Daniel’s,” co-written by Juli Strawbridge. From Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Settle embraces his deep roots in country and red dirt music. Now calling Nashville his home, Settle embraces the emerging honky-tonk scene and brings a refreshing and captivating sound to the genre. CMT Next Women of Country Class of 2024 country duo Tigirlily Gold served as judges at The Temple Theatre and gave a special performance of their song “I Tried A Ring On.”
At the Franklin Theatre, Meagan Allen captivated the audience with her song, “Love Lies.” Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Allen’s love of music began in the shape of a violin at age four. In 2017, Allen recorded and released her debut album, Critical Emotion. This album, as well as a 2019 single, “Show Me How You Love,” appeared on the GRAMMY long list in their years of release. Allen moved to Nashville after graduating high school in pursuit of her dream, earning a degree in songwriting and an MBA from Belmont University. Today, she continues to write and perform across the country, chasing the dream that underlines her journey and developing a sound uniquely her own.

Each of the seven finalists earned the opportunity to perform at The Bluebird Cafe during a private event in March with music industry professionals, a branded commemorative Taylor guitar, two-night stay in Nashville, $100 gift card for travel and a one-year membership to Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).

Helmed by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, 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 4,000 songwriters have shared their original music across Tennessee stages during the annual celebration.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development partners with The Bluebird Cafe, NSAI, Taylor Guitars, music venues and local convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers and partners across the state, all committed to make sure songwriters can share their original work onstage with other writers.

Follow the journey of these songwriters and join the fun by following @tnvacation on social media and #tnsongwritersweek.

Photos & B-roll

● High-res photos from the 7 Showcases courtesy Tennessee Tourism and additional special photo courtesies in each image album title

● B-roll: Tennessee Songwriters Week: Where Future Stars are Discovered

● B-roll: Tennessee Songwriters Week: Where Music History is Written

Follow the Music

Sing along to Tennessee songs while uncovering the stories of songwriters, artists and producers who changed the world.

● Tennessee Music History Destinations

● Take a Music Journey through Tennessee

● Discover Tennessee’s Small-Town Music Sites

● Explore Tennessee’s Seven Musical Genres

ABOUT TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is dedicated to driving economic growth and tourism in all 95 counties. TDTD’s global marketing efforts increase visitation to Tennessee, which boosts tax revenue, creates jobs and attracts new investment across the state. Tennessee is a global destination of choice offering visitors world-class music, live entertainment, family-friendly experiences, charming communities, innovative and classic culinary creations, renowned scenic beauty and outdoor adventure—all centered at the crossroads of rich history and unrivaled hospitality. Vacations “sound perfect” in Tennessee. Visit TNvacation.com and follow @TNvacation on social media for travel inspiration.

Media Contact:
Jill Kilgore
Jill.Kilgore@tn.gov

Lisa Valentine
Lisa.Valentine@tn.gov