Mississippi Songwriters Festival
Presented by Mississippi Songwriters Alliance in partnership with The Montgomery Institute and The MAX
July 18-19, 2025
Celebrate the art of songwriting with two days of live music, storytelling, and creativity at the Mississippi Songwriters Festival – Pines Region. This partnership with the Mississippi Songwriters Alliance brings together talented songwriters from across the region for performances, workshops, and special events.
Friday, July 18
Mississippi Songwriters Festival Brown Bag Lunch
Kick off the festival with our Brown Bag Lunch. Bring your lunch and enjoy a special Songwriter in the Round performance featuring Shelby Anderson, Sean Gasaway, and Teena May.
Free & open to the public
Shelby Anderson
Sean Gasaway
Teena May
Youth Songwriting Workshop
Award-winning songwriter, music publisher, producer, and actor Sean Gasaway will lead a songwriting workshop for youth. Sean has written and published songs across multiple genres including Rock, Country, Americana, Rap, Gospel, R&B and Pop, holds over 250 credits, four #1 songs on Americana and Independent charts, six Top 40 hits on Billboard, and is a two-time winner of Native American Music Awards Song of the Year. He’s toured worldwide and is collaborating with 3 Doors Down and Chapel Hart, among many others.
The workshop will conclude with a recording session in the Governor’s Studio at The MAX for an immersive educational experience.
Sponsored by
Sean Gasaway
Songwriters Perform All Over Downtown Meridian
Enjoy more than 30 songwriters as they perform all over downtown Meridian at these and other participating venues. At 11 pm, the songwriters will convene at Brickhaus to close out the night.
Saturday, July 19
Songwriting Workshop
Join 16-time hit songwriter Clay Mills for 7 Proven Ways to Make Your Song Unforgettable—a workshop packed with insider knowledge and practical tools to help you elevate your songwriting. Whether you’re just starting out or already established, you’ll learn the same proven techniques Clay has used to craft chart-topping hits.
From crafting melodies that stick to creating lyrics that truly resonate, Clay’s insights will inspire you to take your songwriting to the next level. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a true master of the craft.
Clay Mills
Mississippi Songwriters Grand Finale at The MAX
Don’t miss the festival’s powerful closing event, spotlighting top talent from across Mississippi!
Clay Mills, a Mississippi Delta native, is a 16-time ASCAP award-winning songwriter and producer with Grammy-nominated hits like “Beautiful Mess” and “Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love.” He’s penned chart-toppers for Darius Rucker, Diamond Rio, and Reba McEntire, and co-founded the global songwriting community SongTown.
Sean Gasaway—aka “Bacon and Gasoline”—is a two-time Native American Music Award winner, songwriter, producer, and educator with over 250 credits across genres. His work has appeared on major TV networks, sports broadcasts, video games, and with artists like 3 Doors Down and Chapel Hart.
Stephen Lee Veal blends the musical roots of Tulsa and the Gulf Coast. A veteran of Nashville’s Bluebird Café, his storytelling songs and Southern-influenced style have earned him acclaim, including a top album nod from Southland Music Line.
Lach Thornton, an 18-year-old rising star from Mississippi, delivers a soulful mix of country, rock, and blues. Known for his raw, emotional sound and Southern storytelling, Lach has already shared stages with Red Clay Strays and Randy Houser and is working on his debut album.
