Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival

August 19-23, 2015

There’s nothing like great live music – especially four days of free live music.

The Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival will bring exactly that when it arrives in downtown Gatlinburg Aug. 19-23, 2015.

Although the festival is a platform for songwriters to perform their original songs, the public is invited to participate as well.

“After all, there is a song in every one of us,” said Cyndy Montgomery Reeves, SMSWF founder.

Anyone can participate the festival in various ways: By applying for the SMSWF Stage Spot through the audition process; entering the song competition; entering the workshop series; entering the Band Playoff for bands with original music; applying for the Rocky Top Co-Writing Experience with Hit Writers; and simply networking and enjoying the celebration of songwriting during the festival.

The festival’s workshop series includes “two seminars rolled into one,” presented by Hall of Fame Radio Broadcaster member Bill Whyte. One hour is dedicated to comedy songwriting, and the other is devoted to radio and songwriting.

Also included in the workshop series are “Writing Gospel Songs and the Importance of the Hang,” presented by Benjy Gaither, owner of Live Bait Productions (and son of Bill and Gloria Gaither); “Focus and Offerings,” presented by Marc Alan Barnette of Customized Song Writing Tours; “Hits in the Air: A Modern Look at the Role of Radio in Your Career,” presented by John Butler, vice president of promotion for Curb Records; “How to Write Better Songs and Get Them Cut,” presented by hit songwriter Max T. Barnes; “Bluegrass Songwriting 101” by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Kim Williams, with hit writers Larry Cordle, Tim Stafford and Larry Steel; and “Arranging the Hit 2015 – Surveying the #1 Songs,” presented by Larry Beaird of Beaird Music Group.

Workshops can be registered for online at www.smswf.com.

Reeves was inspired to create the festival after attending a songwriting festival in Key West in 2011. She calls Gatlinburg “the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, where bluegrass, country and ole time music originated.”

For more information on all of the festival’s activities and venues, visit www.smswf.com; call (865) 604-9066; or email smswf@yahoo.com.

Looking for the perfect place to stay during your visit? Give Heartland Cabin Rentals a call today at 1-888-711-0087. We can’t wait to welcome you to our beautiful Smoky Mountains!