“This year has been bigger than ever” | Mississippi Songwriters Festival reaches its finale

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) – In small areas, the connection between musician and viewers is magical.

That is very true on the Mississippi Songwriters Pageant.

“In Mississippi, they are often themselves,” stated Scott Stradtner of the Mississippi Songwriters Alliance. “They get to speak and work with individuals they don’t usually get to try this with, they usually’re in a position to come carry out to an accepting viewers in nice venues like we have now in Ocean Springs.”

Jim Douglas of Ocean Springs has been to the competition earlier than, and three issues preserve bringing him again.

“Nice music, nice individuals and nice songs,” he stated. “They’re singing their very own songs, it’s what they’ve written. It’s from the guts.”

That’s been the important thing to the Mississippi Songwriters Pageant success, and this yr has been enormous.

“It’s actually again,” Stradtner stated. “The reception from the town of Ocean Springs and from the distributors and from the general public has been wonderful. This yr has been greater than ever. It actually felt like all the things was actually clicking on cylinders right here within the city and with the general public itself. The songwriters are so pleased to be right here.””

So are those that recognize them.

“It’s like, I simply love music,” stated first-timer Butch Horner of Gulfport. “So, this offers me a chance to fulfill among the those that write the music.”

Greater than 120 singer/songwriters carried out on 12 phases over the weekend.

Amongst these performers was Dave Pahanish, who has written hits for Jimmy Wayne, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw and Keith City.

He’s performed on the competition for 3 years.

“I like the realm, for one,” he stated. “And, in fact, I like the individuals. George Cumbest, the entire gang, very accommodating. It’s only a good, little songwriting group.”

His recommendation for any songwriter?

“Reality. Keep true to who you’re.”

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