2026 MSA Pines Region Songwriters Festival

Friday afternoon (July 17 – The MAX – Brown Bag lunch with Sean Gasaway and Brandon Green

Friday Night (July 17) – Downtown Venues

Hosting the festival in downtown Meridian’s locally owned venues The Brickhaus Brewtique, Weidmann's Restaurant, Threefoot Brewing Company, Don P's Taste of Thai, and Aie's Taste of Thai, beginning at 6 pm and run until 12, with round times varying by venue. A time slot schedule will be forthcoming. To apply for a round, send a headshot, bio and links to original songs to richelle@tmi.ms.

Youth Workshops: (July 16-18)
In partnership with the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation and Mississippi Songwriters Alliance Pines Region, The MAX is offering a 3-day progressive workshop for aspiring songwriters ages 13-20. Led by experienced, award-winning songwriters Sean Gasaway and Brandon Green, these workshops will feature a day of writing (Thursday), a day of recording (Friday) and a day of performing (Saturday). All workshops are at The MAX.

(7/16) Thursday from 2 pm – 5 pm Sean and Brandon will lead participants in the art of songwriting and collectively write original songs.

(7/17)Friday from 2 pm – 5 pm participants will step inside the Governor's Recording Studio and learn the process of recording by tracking and mixing their original works from the previous day.

(7/18) Saturday from 2 pm – 8 pm participants will prepare and perform their original songs in a live setting and open for the Mississippi Songwriter's Alliance Pines Region Grand Finale performance by Michael Farris Smith and The Smokes. The Grand Finale performance is from 6 pm – 8 pm and is free and open to the public.

(7/18) Saturday from 10 am – noon. Songwriting Workshop for all ages: Michael Farris Smith: Mississippi Songwriters Festival Songwriting Workshop with Michael Farris Smith – Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience

Grand Finale – Saturday from 6 – 8 pm. The MAX. Michael Farris Smith & The Smokes: Mississippi Songwriters Festival Grand Finale – Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience

A native Mississippian based in Oxford, Smith represents a powerful intersection of music, literature, and storytelling that reflects the state's cultural legacy. With The Smokes, Smith released the album Lostville, produced by GRAMMY nominee Jimbo Mathus, blending Southern roots, narrative songwriting, and atmospheric Americana. His Grand Finale performance will anchor the festival’s mission to celebrate original music while highlighting Mississippi’s influence on national arts and culture.

Songwriter Recording Sessions:

Songwriters registered with the Mississippi Songwriters Alliance Pines Region Festival will have the opportunity to sign-up for a limited slot to record a free 20-minute session in the Governor's Recording Studio at The MAX. Pre-registration is required for the specified time slot and you must be a registered 2026 MSA Pines Songwriters Festival performer. Songwriters are limited to one instrument and vocals, no drums. For questions, please contact Aaron Windham by email at recordingstudio@msarts.org or by phone at 601-581-1550 ext. 15.