Tennessee Songwriters Week Bristol participants announced

BRISTOL, Tenn. — The Birthplace of Country Music has announced the names of songwriters set to compete in the Tennessee Songwriters Week qualifying round, according to a recent release. This announcement, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, reveals the participants who will compete at the round at 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at the BCM in downtown Bristol. See the full list of 2026 Birthplace of Country Music Museum Qualifiers: Matthew Hurd (Rogersville, TN) Hannah Rae Adams (Bristol, TN) Joshua Scarberry (Bristol, TN) Jonathan Short (Wise, VA) Sophie Childress (Big Stone Gap, VA) Madison Denhardt (Big Stone Gap, VA) Jake Angeles (Abingdon, VA) Adam Bolt (Abingdon, VA) Fallyn Grace Presley (Damascus, VA) Manuel Street (Marion, VA) Cary Corley (Raleigh, NC) Roger Ramsey (Meadowview, VA) Brent Funkhouser (Reston, VA) Lazarus Lake (Louisville, TN) Tom Lynn (Morehead, KY) Trace Nixon (Mechanicsville, VA) Tommy Paschal (Greenbrier, TN) Katie Powderly (Frederick, MD) William Seymour (Roanoke, VA) Ava Earnhart (Fort Smith, AR) Bria Elena (Shamong, NJ) The release states past Tennessee Songwriter Finalist Chancellor Lawson will give a special performance for the evening. The public is invited to be a part of the audience to cheer on participants; tickets with a cost associated are required for spectators. Three semi-finalists and one alternate will be chosen from the Bristol qualifying round to compete in the Tennessee Songwriters showcase event at the Reserve in Kingsport on Feb. 23. From there, one finalist from The Reserve will go on to perform at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville on March 29 — along with other finalists from across Tennessee. TDTD partners with The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville Songwriters Association International, Taylor Guitars, music venues, local convention and visitors' bureaus, chambers of commerce and partners all across the state to ensure songwriters can share their original work onstage with other writers. "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 release states. For more information, visit https://classic.tnvacation.com/songwriters-week. To purchase tickets, visit https://birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/event/2026-tennessee-songwriters-week-qualifying-round-at-the-museum/.