Locals, visitors, and music industry leaders met for a celebration and songwriting competition for East Tennessee songsmiths at Tennessee Songwriters Week’s qualifying round in Oak Ridge on Wednesday.
“A slew of songwriters provided one of the most engaging and exciting songwriting competitions to date,” a press release said.
The competition was at Oakey’s Sports Bar in Oak Ridge. Each competitor was judged based on their overall performance, originality, and connection to the audience, the press release said. Out of the 20 applicants, only four were part of the winners from Oak Ridge’s qualifying round to advance to the next round at the Bijou Theater in Knoxville.
Here are the qualifying round winners from the Wednesday competition in Oak Ridge:
- Hazi Thomas of Kodak, Tennessee;
- Corey Clifton of Maynardville, Tennessee;
- Travis Tench of Knoxville, Tennessee; and
- Shandy Glover of Knoxville, Tennessee.
“Oak Ridge is elated to support and celebrate local songwriters and the musical community that surrounds them with the opportunity to showcase their talent,†said Katy Watt, president of Explore Oak Ridge. “Congratulations to the winners selected! We look forward to watching you progress along this exciting journey!â€
The songwriters played their original pieces live before a panel of expert judges and an audience of spectators, fans, and local supporters, the press release said. The judge panel featured six musicians and songwriters from the area representing a varied genre of musical expertise.
Oak Ridge’s successors will forge ahead as four of 80 songwriters to compete in the showcase rounds held in Franklin, Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Gatlinburg, and Johnson City. Finalists in the next level will earn prizes, including performing an original piece at the historic Bluebird Cafe, a one-year-membership to Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), and a branded commemorative guitar, the press release said.
Tennessee Songwriters Week continued this week with showcase events that will take place across that state. For a complete calendar of other events happening in Oak Ridge, visit Explore Oak Ridge’s website at exploreoakridge.com or tnvacation.com.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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