News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Artists from across the state will perform at Livingston’s Iron and Oak Center Thursday with a trip to the Tennessee Songwriters Week Finals on the line.
Livingston Chamber of Commerce CEO Shannon Cantrell said Tennessee Department of Tourist Development sponsors the event annually. She said it offers a great chance for people to connect with different regions of the state through local music.
“One of the main goals is just to drive and inspire people to come and experience different, you know, the different stories and different communities,” Cantrell said. “And give people the opportunity to potentially, you know, get to Nashville and win the entire competition.”
She said the performers will be scored by a panel of judges including Tina Rogers, niece of legendary country music artist Kenny Rogers. She said there are 14 artists currently signed up, and more can apply through Thursday morning on the city of Livingston’s website.
“It just helps put us on the map,” Cantrell said. “It puts us on the Tennessee website so that when people are searching for different places across the state to compete in this competition, it puts Livingston out there to get some additional people to Livingston.”
Rogers, along with three other judges, will select two artists to compete in the final round in Nashville in a field of 140 finalists. Seven eventual winners will earn a chance to perform their original song at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville and receive a poster to commemorate the performance. The winners will also receive a cash prize, a new guitar, mentoring sessions with Nashville Songwriters Association International, and more.
“I’m sure that country music is going to be very well represented based on all of the bios that I’ve read so far,” Cantrell said. “I think there might be two people that are not necessarily committed to just county being their thing so I’d like to think there’s going to be a healthy amount of diversity.”
Cantrell said Iron and Oak was added to Tennessee’s official Music Pathway Location list last summer, making it an even more special place to perform. She said spectators are welcome at the event from 6:00-9:00pm Thursday.
