Downtown Meridian came alive with music, laughter, and stories this July as the 2025 MSA Pines Region Songwriters Festival returned for its second official year. Held July 18–19, the festival filled local venues and cultural spaces with original songs, heartfelt storytelling, and the community spirit that only live music creates. The festival was made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, and a partnership between The Montgomery Institute, The Mississippi Arts Entertainment Experience (The MAX), and Mississippi Songwriters Alliance.
Friday: Stories, Songs, and a Full Downtown
The weekend kicked off Friday with a Brown Bag Lunch Songwriter Round, where festivalgoers enjoyed original music over lunch and visiting songwriters were treated to food truck hospitality. It was the perfect warm-up for what would become a day packed with creativity and connection.
In the afternoon, The MAX opened the doors of its Governor’s Recording Studio, offering participating songwriters free 20-minute recording sessions. Meanwhile, young songwriters had a chance to shine in a Youth Workshop led by Sean Gasaway, an award-winning songwriter who shared his passion and expertise with the next generation.
As the sun set, downtown came alive. Four local venues—Don P’s Taste of Bayou, The Brickhaus Brewtique, Threefoot Brewing Company, and Aie’s Taste of Thai—hosted songwriter rounds. Each stop offered something unique but delivered the same magic: intimate performances where audiences leaned in and hung on every lyric. By 11 p.m., some songwriters gathered at Brickhaus for a late-night jam, proving that the music didn’t stop just because the schedule did.
Saturday: Learning from the Pros and a Grand Finale
Saturday morning began with a Pro Songwriting Workshop at The MAX, led by 16-time ASCAP award-winner Clay Mills. Titled Seven Proven Ways to Make Your Songs Unforgettable, the workshop gave attendees insider techniques on crafting powerful melodies and meaningful lyrics. Songwriters of all ages and levels left with notebooks full of tips and hearts full of inspiration.
The afternoon brought more recording opportunities at The MAX, as songwriters continued to lay down tracks professionally—a rare and treasured experience for many participants.
The weekend built toward its crescendo Saturday evening: the Grand Finale at The MAX, featuring Clay Mills, Sean Gasaway, Stephen Lee Veal, and Meridian’s Lach Thornton. The packed audience was treated to a mix of seasoned artistry and youthful energy, creating a night that felt equal parts concert, storytelling session, and family gathering.
More Than a Festival
The MSA Pines Region Songwriters Festival was two days of celebrated authenticity, community, creativity, and culture. Attendees discovered new favorite songwriters, young artists found their voices, and the city of Meridian proved once again why Mississippi is known as the birthplace of America’s music.
