The 20th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank kicked off last night under beautiful skies and mild temperatures. Over 70 songwriters took to the stage at nine of Nashville’s finest venues, and laughter, tears and surprises were the order of the evening.

Regions Bank’s Lisa Harless, Mark Narmore, Mark Nessler, Josh Turner and Jeremy Spillman at Hard Rock Cafe.
Both Hard Rock Shows last night featured current chart-topping artists. Josh Turner lead a group of his buddies on the early show, and laughter was guaranteed at the late show with Bob DiPiero, Luke Bryan, Jeff Stevens and Jim Beavers. Eighties star Tiffany was a highlight at the late show at Belcourt Taps and Tapas, and The Rutledge enjoyed two packed shows.

Tin Pan’s newest venue, eat at Lowe’s, proved a highlight last night when Elliot Lurie joined Sherrie Austin, Steve Bogard, Rob Hatch and Will Rambeaux for a hit-filled evening. When Lurie sang his mega-hit “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)”, the crowd stood to their feet and sang every word with him.

The perennially-favorite Bluebird Café also hosted two sold-out shows last night,highlighted by the early powerhouse show featuring Thom Schuyler, J. Fred Knobloch, Tony Arata, Jelly Roll Johnson and the inimitable Janis Ian.

Night Two of the 20th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank offered even more entertainment, as all ten popular venues were packed with hit songwriters, adoring fans and non-stop music. Tickets are available for all shows, though reservations are strongly encouraged for the Bluebird Cafe and The Listening Room Cafe.

3rd & Lindsley kicked off its first Tin Pan Show with songwriting legends Felix Cavaliere, Jack Tempchin and Jimmy Webb, who each performed a set of songs woven into the fabric of our lives. The packed house sang along to The Rascals’ “Groovin’,” “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long,” “How Can I Be Sure” and more. Tempchin followed with a bevy of Eagles’ hits he co-wrote with Glenn Frey including “You Belong to the City” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and his Johnny Rivers smash “Swayin’ to the Music (Slow Dancin’)” and Jimmy Webb kept the audience captivated with stories and endless hit songs.

Both Station Inn shows were standing room only, with Tracy Lawrence leading Flip Anderson, Lacey Brown, Jonny Houilihan and Rick Huckaby in the early show. Vince Gill filled in for Red Lane in the late show, which also featured Larry Gatlin, Lesslie Satcher and Bobby Tomberlin. The show started off in a somber mood with the news of the passing of Earl Scruggs, whom Gill said had, “been like a father to me.” He dedicated his first song, “Go Rest High” to Scruggs, as Satcher and Gatlin added beautiful harmonies.

Hard Rock shows again featured a who’s-who of artists and songwriters including Dierks Bentley, Jon Randall, Sam Bush, Radney Foster, Rivers Rutherford and a special appearance by Randall’s wife and hit singer/songwriter Jessi Alexander. The Rutledge hosted one of the biggest rounds of the evening, which included the three members of new Warner Bros trio The Farm, Danny Myrick, Heidi Newfield and Bridgette Tatum.

Each year Tin Pan South donates the proceeds from one show to a specific charity, and this year the Faith Family Medical Clinic will be the beneficiary of the show starring Pat Alger, Wayland Holyfield, Jon Vezner and Paul Williams.

The festival schedule – with a complete list of venues, addresses, performers and ticket prices – is available at TinPanSouth.com. Attendees are encouraged to visit the site for the most current information, prior to making plans, as performer line ups are subject to change.

You can see CMTT’s photos from Tin Pan South on our Flickr page here.

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