Photos courtesy of Lisa Pettigrew Adkins. Left: William Anthony performs his winning original song The Crossroads, a hybrid country blues style number, during Tennessee Songwriters Week qualifying round at the Delta Heritage Center February 5. Right: Terry Bell's country tune, Angels and Demons, placed him in the winner's circle during the February 5 Tennessee Songwriters Week qualifying round at the Delta Heritage Center.
BROWNSVILLE — Twenty area songwriters competed this past Saturday, February 5, at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, hoping for a shot to play The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. William Anthony Canaday and Terry Bell took top honors and will advance to the semi-finals in Memphis February 22.
“We didn’t really come to compete,” says Canaday, “We’re about to release the song and I just wanted to get some audience feedback and a feel for how the people react to it. Needless to say I was encouraged and now looking forward to making it all the way to the Bluebird.”
Canaday grew up in Brownsville and began playing the guitar when he was 12. It wasn’t long after that he began his songwriting journey. Considering himself a lifelong student of the guitar and music, he says the hook for the song, The Crossroads, came to him years ago while learning to play Stevie Ray Vaughn’s Cold Shot. Stanley Crouse accompanied Canaday. This was the first time the duo played the song in public. When asked to describe the style of the song, Canaday says he considers it a hybrid country Blues tune.
Terry Bell, a contractor from Covington, began playing the guitar in his 20s and became inspired to write songs of his own about 4 years ago. He credits the Bible for most of his inspiration and gives God the credit for putting friends and family in his life who are encouraging and supportive of his musical endeavors. Bell chose to perform one of his newest songs, Angels and Demons, for the judges. It is a country-style song and he was accompanied by an additional guitarist, Will Reeder.
“I am so grateful to be chosen to represent rural West Tennessee in this songwriting competition,” says Bell. “To even get a chance to play at the Bluebird has been a dream of mine for years. I will accept the opportunity and the blue ribbon, but I give God all the glory.”
Judges for the event included Brownsville Arts Director and vocalist Achana C. Jarrett, University of Memphis – Lambuth musicologist Dr. Jeremy Tubbs, music producer, radio personality and performer Jazzii Anderson, and musician, songwriter and producer Billy Weir. Songwriters were judged based on their overall performance, originality and connection to the audience.
Canaday and Bell will perform alongside winners from other West Tennessee qualifiers during the semi-finals February 22, at Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis. The semi-final showcase winner will advance to the Bluebird Cafe, in Nashville, as well as receive a one-year membership in the Nashville Songwriters Association International and a branded commemorative guitar.
A state statute designated the last full week of February each year as Tennessee Songwriters Week. The mission of the initiative is to support music venues, generate awareness of songwriters’ contributions to Tennessee, pave the way for future artists, inspire travelers to experience the state’s music stories, history, attractions and venues, and drive revenue for music venues devastated by the pandemic.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development partners with The Bluebird Cafe, NSAI, music venues and local convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers and partners across the state, all committed to make sure songwriters can share their original work onstage with other writers.
The Delta Heritage Center also hosts an online Songwriter Spotlight series that airs on its Facebook and YouTube channels each first and third Thursday evenings at 6 pm. For more information, contact the Center at 731-779-9000, or visit the website at www.westtnheritage.com.
About the Center: The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, in Brownsville, offers a refreshing Southern experience showcasing the history and culture of rural West Tennessee. A music heritage destination, inside visitors can learn about the legendary musicians who call West Tennessee home. Also located on the grounds is the Tina Turner Museum at Flagg Grove School, the childhood school of Tina Turner, and the last home of Blues pioneer Sleepy John Estes. An official Tennessee Music Pathways location, and a featured stop along the Americana Music Triangle. To learn more at westtnheritage.com or follow “WTDeltaHeritage” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and “Delta Heritage Center” on YouTube.
About Tennessee Department of Tourist Development: Tennessee is the home of the blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll— delivering an unparalleled experience of beauty, history and family adventure, infused with music that creates a vacation that is the “Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” Explore more at tnvacation.com and join other Tennessee travelers by following “TNVacation” on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube and “Tennessee” on Snapchat.