NIGHT THREE OF TIN PAN SOUTH SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL SURPRISES FANS WITH GARTH BROOKS

From left to right: Mark Hudson, Garth Brooks, Victoria Shaw; courtesy NSAI

Last night (March 30), the Nashville Songwriters Association International and presenting partner Regions Bank, held the third night of their 31st annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. Dozens of songwriters hit the stage once again at 10 venues throughout town for the unique story-filled experience.

Attendees who made their way over to Analog at Hutton Hotel for the 9pm round on the Musicnotes Stage were in for an incredible surprise as a last minute lineup change left a need for a favor. Victoria Shaw picked up the phone, Garth Brooks answered, and the night became unforgettable!

Brooks performed alongside Victoria Shaw and Mark Hudson for an intimate writer’s round where they shared many stories and even took questions from the audience. Brooks praised NSAI for their work with songwriters by saying, “NSAI is the reason I got my record deal.”

The festivities began Monday when performers and partners joined for the annual kickoff event at Regions Bank to mark the start of the festival, and the first night of rounds began Tuesday, March 28 at 6pm at 10 venues across town. Throughout the festival, songwriters have encouraged and inspired thousands of fans, leaning on the power of music for the community as it carries on with heavy hearts and the utmost respect for the victims and anyone effected by the recent tragedy at Covenant School.

Other surprise guests that have appeared in the first few days of the festival include Carly Pearce (Tuesday at The Bluebird Cafe [Amazon Music Stage]), Jo Dee Messina (Tuesday at The Listening Room [Visit Music City Stage]), Brad Tursi (Wednesday at The Listening Room [Visit Music City Stage]), Kate York (Wednesday at The Bluebird Cafe [Amazon Music Stage]), ERNEST (Wednesday at Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole [Tennessee Entertainment Commission Stage]), Ben Earle (Wednesday at The Lounge at City Winery [Recording Academy Songwriters and Composers Wing Stage]) and Thursday at Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole [Tennessee Entertainment Commission Stage]).

From left to right: Chase Rice, Matt Rogers, Trannie Anderson, Chase Chapman (Regions),

Melodie Zack (Regions), Jordan Walker; courtesy NSAI

Looking ahead to the final days of the festival, highlights tonight (Friday March 31) include: The Store Benefit show at 3rd & Lindsley at 9pm featuring Brett James, Monty Criswell, Kelley Lovelace and Bobby Pinson as well as the 6pm round at The Lounge at City Winery (Recording Academy Songwriters & Composers Wing Stage) featuring Ethan Hulse, Wil Nance, Jason Sever, and Brian White.

Saturday will close out the festival strong with line-ups at Live Oak featuring Willie Morrison, CJ Solar, Rob Williford, Jessi Alexander, Chase McGill and special guest, a 6pm show at The Listening Room (Visit Music City stage) featuring Chris DeStefano, Emily Shackelton, Eric Van Houten and a special guest, as well as the 9pm Mix 92.9 show at The Vinyl Lounge (The Nashville Scene stage) featuring Melissa Fuller, Jillian Jacqueline, MORGXN, Jeff Trott, and a special guest.

For the final show at Hard Rock Cafe on Saturday, there has been a lineup change announced, and Tin Pan South has added another country superstar to the lineup! Award-winning artist Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn, will take the stage at 9pm helping bring NSAI to the end of an unbelievable festival.

In addition to all the great shows and amazing surprise guests, Fast Access Passholders can have a daytime activity Saturday, they can get $3 off admission into the Country Music Hall of Fame if they show pass to information desk. Fast Access Passholders can also attend the Saturday 12:00pm Songwriter Session with Terry McBride for free with their pass. Tickets are available on their website and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tin Pan South is proud to partner with a number of organizations who have curated shows for the 31st annual festival. ASCAP, BMI and SESAC who all showcased their writers on Tuesday night of the festival, and The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum returned with a show of legends on the Amazon Music stage at The Bluebird Cafe on Thursday. As previously announced, Austin’s award-winning listening room, The Saxon Pub, participated in the festival this year as part of an exchange with The Bluebird Cafe and NSAI.

Thank you to our Tin Pan South corporate partners: Regions Bank (title sponsor), Southwest® Airlines (official airline partner), NewsChannel 5 (official broadcast partner), Amazon Music, Jack Daniel’s, Visit Music City, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, Graduate Hotel, and Hutton Hotel.