BRISTOL, Va.-Tenn., (Dec. 12, 2024) – The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) has announced it will again partner with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to host a qualifying round for the 7th annual Tennessee Songwriters Week in 2025. Songwriters of all genres are invited to sign up for qualifying rounds to be held across the state. Bristol’s qualifying round will be held on Jan. 31, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. ET, at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. From there, songwriters will compete for the chance to perform their original music at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Applications are now open; there is no fee to enter.
Songs will be judged by quality of the song (original lyrics/melody and clear narrative) and performance (ability to understand lyrics and connection with the audience). See the 2025 Tennessee Songwriters Week Sweepstakes Official Rules at tnvacation.com for more information.
Twenty (20) songwriters will be chosen from the pool of applicants to perform for judges during the Bristol qualifying round competition. From there, two (2) semi-finalists will advance to compete in the Tennessee Songwriters showcase event at Paramount Bristol Feb. 26. One finalist from the Paramount will be chosen to perform at the legendary Bluebird Cafe on March 30, along with other finalists from across the state. The deadline to enter the qualifying round in Bristol is Jan. 13.
The public is invited to be part of the audience at the museum to cheer on participants competing in the Bristol event. Tickets for spectators are $10, on sale now. To purchase, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
Other venues participating in qualifying rounds in the Tri-Cities region include Model City Tap House in Kingsport on Jan.28, Boones Creek Museum & Opry in Johnson City on Feb. 6, and The Jackson Theatre in Jonesborough on Feb. 7.
Legal residents of the United States, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, qualify to enter. To enter the Tennessee Songwriters Week qualifying round at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org where you’ll also find complete rules of entry and more details.
Tennessee Songwriters Week supports music venues, songwriters with live performances in all genres of music, drives visitation and inspires travelers to experience the state’s music stories, history, attractions and venues.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development partners with The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Taylor Guitars, and music venues and local convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers of commerce and partners across the state, all committed to make sure songwriters can share their original work onstage with other writers.
Follow along with Tennessee Songwriters Week by following @tnvacation and #madeinTN, #NowPlayingTN
For more information about BCM, visit BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.