SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL

2nd Annual Lake Martin Songwriters Festival

Tallapoosa County Tourism will host the second annual Lake Martin Songwriters Festival July 27 through 31 with 21-plus artists from all over the United States performing at venues around Lake Martin. Vivian Autry, an LMSF committee member, shared that there are 12 venues this year, and the committee has added an additional day to this year’s festival. This five-day event will be one you do not want to miss.

Sandra Fuller, executive director of Tallapoosa County Tourism, explained that a new event has been added to the schedule after last year’s incredible turnout. A singer/songwriter competition for those 20 years old and under will be held July 29 at 6 p.m. The top 10 artists will compete for a chance to perform two songs on Saturday night’s stage. “Saturday night on Main Street in historic downtown Alexander City is the crescendo of the Songwriters Festival,” said committee member Stacey Jeffcoat. The Main Street Concert will begin at 6:30 p.m., showcasing four talented artists. The Josh Kiser Band will open the night, followed by the winner of the 20-and-under singer/ songwriter competition. Then four-time Grammynominated singer-songwriter, Jaime O’Neal, will perform her set, getting everyone ready to hear the headliner, Thompson Square.

Seven of the artists will be returning from the 2021 festival, including Charlie Argo, Terri Jo Box, Kensie

STORY BY MAGGIE GOVE

Coppin, Blue Foley, Cameron Havens, Kristen Kelly and Emma Zinck.

“The Lake Martin Songwriters Festival would not be possible without the contributions of our local community,” said the LMSF committee’s Jim Hildreth. The event is made possible by support and donations from local businesses.

The LMSF committee is made up of seven members who have worked hard to make this event even more incredible than last year. Committee members include Vivian Autry, Sandra Fuller, Robert Gunn, Jim Hildreth, Stacey Jeffcoat, Andy Moore and Steven Pace.

Alabama-born but now based in Nashville, Charlie Argo has combined his background in gospel and soul music, managing to blend a plethora of styles into a sound that stands on its own. He performed in the inaugural Lake Martin Songwriters Festival last year and will return to sweep the crowd off its feet once again.

Texas native Terri Jo Box owns, books and hosts the legendary Music Row Freakshow songwriter showcase at The Local Nashville. Her songs have been

Charlie Argo

Terri Jo Box

Johnny Bulford Marla Cannon-Goodman Adam Hood

recorded by Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Ashley McBryde, Cody Johnson, Trisha Yearwood and many more.

Multi-platinum selling songwriter Johnny Bulford co-wrote two No. 1 hit singles, A Woman Like You by Lee Price and Lonely Eyes by Chris Young, as well as other major label recording artist album cuts.

Independent country music artist Kensie Coppin has been performing since she was 8 years old and writing songs since she was 14. Coppin performed on the Grand Ole Opry at ages 11 and 12, and in her adult life had two top 40 songs on the Texas Charts.

Clare Cunningham is an awardwinning singer-songwriter from Ireland who picked up her first instrument at the age of 6 and never looked back.

Blue Foley was nominated for his second Grammy in 2020 for writing the title track on Ashley McBryde’s Never Will album. He received two Grammy nominations the year before for co-writing Tired of Being Happy and Sweet Home Highway on another of McBryde’s albums.

Tennessee native Marla CannonGoodman reached No. 1 on the country charts with her song, The Fool, recorded by Lee Ann Womack. She has reached No. 1 status two other times with songs recorded by Tracy Byrd and Rodney Atkins. She also has had music recorded by Sammy Kershaw, Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Kenny Chesney, George Strait and many others.

Cameron Havens, another incredible artist returning to showcase his skills, moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to continue to grow as an artist after competing on season 18 of American Idol.

For more than 20 years, Adam Hood has been refining a southern sound that mixes soul, country and American roots into the same package. His music has been recorded by many well-known artists, such as Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Travis Tritt, Riley Green, Whiskey Myers and Lee Ann Womack.

Kristen Kelly is a singer-songwriter who has been writing, recording and playing at the Grand Ole Opry while touring with Brad Paisley.

Saturday night’s concert opener, Josh Kiser, writes for both Liz Rose Music and Warner Chappell Music. His way with melodies and lyrics brings a new take to country music.

Platinum-selling, four-time Grammynominated country singer-songwriter, Jamie O’Neal, has earned numerous accolades over her years of performing. Her career took off in 2001 when she had

Scott Sean White Jamie O'Neal

Kristen Kelly

back-to-back No. 1 hit singles with There Is No Arizona and When I Think About Angels.

Canadian-born singer Heidi Raye has shared the stage with many well-known artists, including Kenny Chesney, Randy Travis, Jason Aldean, Reba McEntire and more. She co-wrote Working On That by NBC’s The Voice winner, Sundance Head, and has had a No. 1 radio single in the UK.

Ryan Robinette is an independent singer-songwriter whose debut album landed on the Top 10 Country Charts on iTunes. He has opened for and played festivals with Jake Owen, Brett Young, Craig Campbell, Chris Lane, Nelly and many others.

Country music artist Trick Savage has had cuts with many well-known artists, including Eric Church, Ashley McBryde, Dan Smalley, Trisha Yearwood and more.

Grammy-nominated duo Keifer and Shawna Thompson, better known as Thompson Square, exploded out of Nashville with their multi-platinum song Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not.

Leah Turner was first discovered by Grammy Award-winning artist Kenny Loggins. Her debut single Take the Keys quickly climbed to a spot on the Top 40 Billboard Country chart.

Brian White has earned 16 No.1 hits, two Dove Awards and SESAC Song of the Year, as well as ACM, CMA and Grammy nominations. His songs have been recorded by artists Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, Gary Allan, Rodney Atkins, Danny Gokey, Mandisa and many others.

Scott Sean White writes real-life-driven music that captivates the listener. Not only has he written some incredibly moving songs, but he also has helped write some of Cody Johnson’s new songs.

Jessie Wilson has a very authentic sound created by a mix of her Alabama roots and her husky tone. Wilson’s first project will be released this summer.

Armed with her guitar, vocals and dynamic presence, Emma Zinck is returning to the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival.

Johnny Bulford co-wrote A Woman Like You by Lee Brice and Lonely Eyes by Chris Young. He’s been awarded as a multiplatinum selling songwriter and publishes with Warner Chappell. Check out the Family Friendly stream of cover and original song requests, trivia breaks and stories from the road and the writers’ room he does with wife, Heidi Raye.

For more information and to find the full performance schedule, visitlakemartinsongwritersfestival.com.

Ryan Robinette Thompson Square

Jessie Wilson Leah Turner

Kensie Coppin

Clare Cunningham