Mississippians will once again have the chance to hear hit songs performed by the people who wrote them.
The 17th Mississippi Songwriters Fest will take place at various venues in Ocean Springs and Gautier from Sept. 17-20. Organizers say the event will bring nationally recognized hit songwriters, Mississippi music legends, and emerging artists together for four days of performances, education, and special events.
The weekend opens Thursday with the 2026 Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony honoring 3 Doors Down and legendary bluesman Son House, with Johnny Cole receiving the Contributor Award.
“Mississippi is known as the Birthplace of America’s Music. We want Mississippi to also be the place for America’s music,” Mississippi Songwriters Alliance President George Cumbest said. “This festival honors that legacy by giving songwriters a platform to connect, create and inspire audiences from all walks of life.”
Also featured at this year’s festival will be professional workshops, a youth songwriter showcase and the Mississippi Songwriters Alliance Education Showcase honoring Scott Stradtner, Reggie Bates and Tommy Crawford. Two scholarships will also be presented during a Sept. 18 program.
Festival Highlights
Sept. 17
- Hall of Fame Ceremony — The 2026 Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center. Inductees include 3 Doors Down and Son House, with Johnny Cole receiving the Contributor Award. This is a free ticketed event.
Sept. 18
- Songwriter Showcases — Intimate acoustic performances across 14 venues in Ocean Springs and Gautier featuring Grammy winners, chart-topping writers and rising artists.
- MSA Education Showcase — Held at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center from 6:30-10 p.m. and honoring Scott Stradtner, Reggie Bates and Tommy Crawford. The evening includes “One Mississippi, Many Songs: Five Artists • Five Genres • One Stage” from 6:30-8:15 p.m., followed by “Songwriter Sessions: The Songs • The Stories • The Writers” from 8:30-10 p.m. featuring Jeff Bates, Jim McCormick and Dee White. Two scholarships will be presented.
Sept. 19
- Songwriter Showcases — Intimate acoustic performances across 14 venues in Ocean Springs and Gautier featuring Grammy winners, chart-topping writers and rising artists.
- Workshops — Educational sessions led by industry professionals at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center. Registration information is available at www.msafestival.org.
- Youth Showcase — Local youth songwriters take the stage at 1 p.m. at OS1515.
- The Art of the Song — At the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center from 6:30-9:30 p.m. “Signature Songwriters” begins at 6:30 p.m. with Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame members Tommy Barnes, Don Poythress and Clay Mills, followed at 8:00 p.m. by “Hit Me America,” an interactive live-audience songwriting competition.
Sept. 20
- Gospel Finale — Begins at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church Gautier.
- Festival Finale — More than five hours of live music featuring a variety of songwriters at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center beginning at 2 p.m.
