Tin Pan South gathers songwriting’s best, brightest for five days of shows

Tin Pan South

It’s called the world’s largest all-songwriter festival, and as you might imagine, that covers quite a bit of ground. Starting Tuesday, Nashville’s annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival once again unites all sorts of music-makers during its five-day run through 10 local music venues.

Some performers are among modern country music’s hottest acts. Others are stars behind the scenes. You’ll see your share of accomplished musical vets on this year’s roster, as well as a handful of young songsmiths whose careers are still very much on the rise. Here, we highlight a handful of the festival’s nightly performances.

Tuesday

Charles Kelley

Several Music City country stars are ensuring that this year’s festival starts with a bang. Jake Owen is part of a 6 p.m. show at the Listening Room Cafe with country writers and frequent collaborators Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. A 9 p.m. show at the venue sees Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley joining pop/country hitmaker Dave Barnes (“God Gave Me You”) and Better Than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin (who also co-wrote Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue”).

A 9 p.m. show at the Rutledge features country star and Taylor Swift tourmate Brett Eldredge with white-hot modern country songsmiths Natalie Hemby and Luke Laird.

Also of note Tuesday: Tracy Lawrence (The Station Inn, 6 p.m.), Dustin Lynch (Douglas Corner, 9 p.m.), Matt Maher (Belcourt Taps, 9 p.m.), RaeLynn (Commodore Grille, 6 p.m.), Allen Shamblin (Douglas Corner, 6 p.m.), Victoria Shaw (The Rutledge, 6 p.m.)

Wednesday

Ashley Monroe Photo by Jim Wright)

A few of country’s prime up-and-comers take the stage at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe at 9 p.m., including “Ex-Old Man” singer Kristen Kelly, Pistol Annies member and solo star Ashley Monroe and ABC’s “Nashville” songsmith duo Striking Matches, along with established writer/performer Trent Willmon (“On Again Tonight”).

With a collective catalog that includes “Forever and Ever Amen,” “Wildfire” and “Beer for My Horses,” country songwriting giants Scotty Emerick, Michael Martin Murphey and Paul Overstreet’s 9 p.m. show at the Listening Room Cafe is one for which Tin Pan organizers are urging attendees to line up early.

Also of note Wednesday: Dave Berg (The Rutledge, 9 p.m.), Sarah Buxton (The Rutledge, 9 p.m.), Linda Davis (Commodore Grille, 6 p.m.), Mindy Smith (Listening Room Cafe, 6 p.m.), and Kate York (Listening Room Cafe, 6 p.m.)

Thursday

Matraca Berg (photo: Glen Rose)

Four members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame with dozens of No. 1 hits and industry awards between them — Matraca Berg, Gary Burr, Dean Dillon and Bob DiPiero — will share the stage at The Rutledge at 6 p.m. in a salute to the CMA Songwriter Series.

Across town at Bluebird Cafe, attendees will get a top-notch “in the round” experience at the local songwriters’ haunt starting at 6 p.m., with esteemed songsmiths/artists Pat Alger, Kathy Mattea and Jon Vezner with Nashville newcomer Natalie Royal.

Also of note Thursday: Emerson Hart (Listening Room Cafe, 6 p.m.), Marcus Hummon (Winners, 9 p.m.), Larry Gatlin (The Station Inn, 9 p.m.), James Otto (Listening Room, 9 p.m.), Lee Roy Parnell (The Rutledge, 9 p.m.), Eric Paslay (Bluebird Cafe, 9 p.m.)

Friday

Kristian Bush (photo: Samuel M. Simpkins/The Tennessean)

Fans of pop, rock and R&B — and country, too — would be wise to park it at the Listening Room Cafe on Friday for two shows packed with a variety of chart-topping talent. At 6:30 p.m., Sugarland’s Kristian Bush teams up with Top 40 hitmaker (and former “American Idol” judge) Kara DioGuardi, longtime Aerosmith collaborator Marti Frederiksen and in-demand country/pop songsmith Jeff Cohen.

At 9:30 p.m., the night switches gears into R&B with a show led by Grammy-winning writer/producer Tommy Sims (of “Change the World” fame), esteemed studio/live musician and songwriter Chris Rodriguez and Christian soul artist Michael Hicks.

Also of note Friday: Casey Beathard (Douglas Corner Cafe, 9:30 p.m.), Sam Bush (Bluebird Cafe, 9:30 p.m.), Hugh Prestwood (Bluebird Cafe, 6:30 p.m.), Kim Richey (Bluebird Cafe, 9:30 p.m.), Matt Wertz (The Rutledge, 6:30 p.m.)

Saturday

Amy Grant

Standouts on Tin Pan’s closing night can be found on all sides of town. Music City star Amy Grant and award-winning songsmith Ben Glover’s 6:30 p.m. show at The Listening Room Cafe — with to-be-named special guests — is certainly a sure thing.

Other highlights on Saturday’s schedule include Tom Douglas (Listening Room Cafe, 9:30 p.m.), Matthew Perryman Jones (The Rutledge, 6:30 p.m.), Alyssa Bonagura (Hard Rock Cafe, 6:30 p.m.) and Wayne Kirkpatrick (Bluebird Cafe, 6:30 p.m.)

About

The 21st annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival returns to Nashville clubs Tuesday through April 6. Fast-Access Passes for this year’s festival are now sold out, but all concerts are open to the public with admission charged at the door. Visit www.tinpansouth.com for a full schedule and admission prices.