Luke Bryan Reigns At Spring Break Panama City

TIN PAN SOUTH BEGINS WITH A BANG!

(Nashville, Tennessee...) A little rain and late winter temps couldn't dampen the spirits of the thousands of concert-goers in town for the 19thAnnual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank. Over 120 songwriters took to the stage at nine of Nashville's finest venues over the first two nights, and laughter, tears and surprises abounded. Steve Wariner welcomed Rick Carnes and Bobby Tomberlin to the late show at The Rutledge on Tuesday night, and he delighted the packed house when he introduced a surprise special guest. The multi-platinum, multi-award winning singer/songwriter Clint Black took the stage for two songs, and his incredible talent reminded the crowd why he continues to be a formidable force in country music. At the Douglas Corner Café, the "Renegades Rebels & Rogaine" show highlighted the songs of Tracy Lawrence, Philip Douglas, Bernie Nelson, Anthony L. Smith and special guest Rick Huckaby. Lawrence performed his Bobby Braddock-penned smash hit "Time Marches On" and told the capacity crowd Braddock requested he sing the song when Braddock is inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in May. Singer/songwriter Keith Anderson popped in on The Listening Room early show to join his buddies Ben Hayslip, Tim Nichols, Deric Ruttan and Jimmy Yeary and performed his Garth Brooks/George Jones smash "Beer Run." American Idol 2010 runner-up Crystal Bowersox made her Tin Pan South debut Tuesday night at the Hard Rock Café before turning the stage over to Brett James, Phil Vassar, Josh Kear and Caroly Dawn Johnson. Offerings last night were as diverse as the writers taking the stages. Tom T. Hall anchored the "Storytelling" show at The Bluebird Café, and a little Blues and a little more story telling were heard from Michael Martin Murphey, Gary Nicholson and Lee Roy Parnell at the "Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame" show at the Hard Rock Café. Master hit songwriter and NSAI President Steve Bogard joined by Love & theft and others at The Listening Room. Tonight, "Whisperin'" Bill Anderson hosts the early show at Douglas Corner, and longtime Lonestar frontman Richie McDonald will lead the 6:00 p.m. show at the newest Tin Pan South venue Puckett's Downtown. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the BMI show starring Steve Cropper, Jeffrey Steele and Band at the 9:00 p.m. Hard Rock Cafe show. The festival schedule - with a complete list of venues, addresses, performers and ticket prices - is available atTinPanSouth.com. Attendees are encouraged to visit the site for the most current information, prior to making plans, as performer line ups are subject to change.    Each year Tin Pan South donates the proceeds from one show to a specific charity, and this year the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee was the beneficiary of the show starring: (l. to r.) -- Dave Berg, Eric Paslay, Sarah Buxton and Jedd Hughes at the Hard Rock Café. Pictured at The Rutledge late show are (l. to r.): Rick Carnes, Bobby Tomberlin, Steve Wariner, Clint Black. Steel Magnolia - Meghan Linsey (r.) and Joshua Scott Jones (l.) hosted the early show at The Rutledge last night. All photos credit: Moments by Moser

About NSAI: The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world's largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization. Established in 1967, the membership of more than 5,000 spans the United States and five foreign countries. For more than 40 years, NSAI has been dedicated to protecting the rights of and serving aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music. For more information, visit nashvillesongwriters.com.