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10047922
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The Birthplace of Country Music Museum and Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia are proud to continue these events designed to highlight the talents of songwriters in our region. The Songwriters Circle Showcase will be held twice a year in 2026 at 2 p.m. ET, April 11 and November 14, in the performance theater at the museum. These two Showcases accompany the monthly Songwriters Circle events on second Saturdays. The event is free and open to the public; donations are appreciated.
The quarterly Songwriters Circle Showcase is an extension of the monthly Songwriters Circle program, organized by Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia, and will consist of artists who participate in the monthly Circle. The Showcase event is structured similarly to “in the round” events, with each songwriter introducing themselves and their song, which will be performed with or without accompaniment. The songwriter will then hold a discussion about the piece–the origins of the song, its structure, and inspiration–and take questions.
Julia Maggard is an Appalachian songwriter from the mountains of southwest Virginia. Her story started in a Pentecostal mountaintop church when she was only three years old and improvised “Away in a Manger” after a Christmas service. She has been singing ever since. When she was only twenty, she signed with an independent record label that produced her debut album “Hard to Believe.” One of its songs, “Ain’t Made Weak” made to number 77 on the Music Row Breakout charts. Today, she’s fully independent and has a 2026 single called “Forever Won’t Be Long Enough”. Her love of language, storytelling, and people has curated a catalogue of music that truly connects.
Jonathan Short has called the APP-UH-LATCH-UN Mountains home his whole life, and like most mountain folk, he has been deeply impacted by mountain music culture. His parents were his first musical influence as part of a southern gospel trio when he was a little boy. Because of the strong religious influence, Jonathan cut his musical teeth by singing in churches in different bands. While still a worship leader in his church, his musical tree sprouted a new branch as his songwriting began taking him on a whole new musical journey.
In 2015, Jonathan began gigging around with his rock and roll band, Hello October, playing lots of local music festivals and venues. Now Jonathan is standing out on his own with a new batch of songs and a new emphasis on his songwriting, hoping to pave a new way for himself as a singer/songwriter. He is a member of SOHA (Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia) and the 2025 winner of the Gathering in the Gap Songwriting Contest with his original song, “Hometown.”
Hannah Rae Adams is an independent singer-songwriter whose music blends elements of funk, folk, rock and baroque pop. Originally from Michigan, she has called Bristol, Tennessee, home since 2017, immersing herself in the region’s rich musical heritage while staying true to her diverse influences. With a background in mental health counseling, Hannah Rae brings a deep sense of introspection and emotional authenticity to her songwriting, crafting lyrics that resonate with themes of love, self-discovery, and transformation.
Her sound is shaped by the timeless grooves of Motown, the raw storytelling of folk and country, and the energy of classic rock, resulting in a style that feels both familiar and refreshingly unique. She is often compared to artists such as Carley Simon, Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morrisette and Joni Mitchell. Whether performing solo with an acoustic guitar or layering harmonies and intricate arrangements in the studio, she delivers music that is as heartfelt as it is compelling.
Hannah’s journey as an artist has led her to stages across the Southeast, where her rich, dynamic vocals and magnetic presence have captivated audiences through her original music as well as a range of crowd-pleasing covers. She has performed live on platforms like Radio Bristol and Appalachian Artists Live, gaining recognition for her ability to connect with listeners on a personal level. With an EP released last spring and a new, full album coming next fall, she is an artist to watch!
With a growing catalog of original music and a passion for storytelling, Hannah Rae Adams continues to carve out her space in the independent music scene, proving that honesty and artistry go hand in hand.
Led by Mary Munsey, a local musician, educator and founder of Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia, the weekly Songwriters Circle is open to songwriters of all ages and skill levels. The Circle encourages participants to share songs, brainstorm ideas, and support one another in their creative endeavors. Songwriter Circles are held the second Saturday of each month at the museum, 2-5 p.m. There is no cost to participate.
“The Songwriters Circle aims to foster a collaborative environment for songwriting,” said Munsey. “Importantly, aspiring songwriters do not need to play an instrument to join in the fun.”
The Songwriters Circle not only provides an opportunity for performance and networking, but also emphasizes the importance of clarity and storytelling in songwriting. The group’s mission is to encourage creativity, introduce songwriting shows to regional audiences, and elevate the appreciation of songwriting as a valuable art form.
About Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia
Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia is led by Mary Munsey, a local musician and educator, recently retired from Virginia Highlands Community College. The program offers a great deal of flexibility in its format for attendees, with varied songwriting interests and abilities. Some of the attendees play instruments and some are curious about songwriting and the process. Lyrics can sometimes only pare up with others that play instruments and put music with the words. Some writers don’t sing, but enjoy hearing others perform their songs. Some of the performances can be a cappella. Some members of the group write one to three songs between sessions and some write more. Sometimes as busy as life gets, writers don’t get to write new material between meetings. We don’t pressure anyone to write, and we don’t criticize anyone. We treat each other with respect. We don’t discuss politics, use profanity, or write antagonistic lyrics.
The focus is not on the beauty of the voice or skill of the instrumentation, but the clearness of the pronunciation and the effect of the song. We work on making sure the audience can hear every word. We are not professional musicians but we are creators of musical stories and that is the beauty of it. The sessions are open to anyone visiting the museum. Genres are not specified. Songs can be instrumental, folk, country, bluegrass, Americana, blues, humorous, jazz, R&B, electronic, and even pop, to name a few. Writers are allowed to bring CDs for sale and to accept tips after performances.
For more information about the Songwriters Showcase and Songwriters Circle programs, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org. For more information on Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia, HighlandsAppalachia.org.
