Whitney Duncan Hosts Tennessee Songwriters Qualifying Round at Parsons' Hangar

The Hangar Performing Arts Center in Parsons hosted a qualifying round for Tennessee Songwriters Week on Thursday, Feb. 5, with country artist Whitney Duncan serving as host. The Decatur County Chamber of Commerce announced Parsons as a first-time qualifying city for the eighth annual program, bringing a statewide talent pipeline and an economic nudge to the Main Street corridor.

Tennessee Songwriters Week, presented by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, has showcased more than 6,000 songwriters statewide since launching in 2019. The program is designed to support local music venues, provide performance opportunities for songwriters and drive visitation during the state-designated last full week of February, a traditionally slow tourism period. For participants, the competitive path can culminate in a performance at Nashville’s Bluebird Café, plus ancillary prizes at the Showcase level such as a one-year Nashville Songwriters Association International membership and a branded commemorative guitar.

Entry and eligibility for the Parsons round followed the statewide framework. Songwriter signups opened Dec. 11, 2025 and the sign-up deadline for the Parsons event was Jan. 30, 2026. Organizers emphasized accessibility: “Sign up for the qualifying round at The Hangar Performing Arts Center on February 5, 2026 and show us what you've got! Songwriter signups,” read a promotional Instagram post. Entrants must be 18 or have reached their state’s age of majority, be legal residents of the United States or territories, and may enter as solo artists, duos or trios. The program does not charge a registration fee and requires internet access to complete entry.

Judging across qualifying rounds is based on song quality, performance and lyrical originality. As a template for how the Parsons competition likely ran, Visit Kingsport reported that the Kingsport qualifying round drew 15 performers and advanced three songwriters to its regional Showcase; those Showcase winners then move on to compete for the Bluebird Café slot during Tennessee Songwriters Week.

The Hangar on 9th Street gave Parsons a visible place on the statewide tour, with local promotion by the Decatur County Chamber of Commerce and social media outreach to recruit entrants. Readings of local conditions noted a sunny to partly cloudy forecast and a high near 46°F that day, framing an attractively mild February evening for visitors and residents.

Organizers have not yet released the names of songwriters who advanced from Parsons to regional Showcases. For Decatur County businesses and cultural venues, hosting a qualifying round establishes a feedback loop - live music drives foot traffic, which supports restaurants, retail and lodging during a quieter season. For local songwriters, the event represents a low-cost gateway to statewide exposure and industry connections.

As Tennessee Songwriters Week moves into Showcase rounds later in February, Parsons residents can expect follow-up coverage of any advancing performers and the economic effects of hosting the event on downtown activity.