Helen Songwriters Festival featuring award-winning artists March 18-20

The 4th Annual Alpine Helen Songwriters Festival this weekend will feature performances from 12 award-winning artists.

The event is set for March 18-20 and will be held at the bandshell in the marketplatz, Cowboys & Angels Restaurant and the Hofbrauhaus Pub, said Jerry Brown, executive director of the Alpine Helen/White County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Performances will be from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 18, from 10 a.m to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 20.

The songwriters include Earl Bud Lee, Greg Crowe, Dave Gibson, Becky Hobbs, Justin Dukes, Emma Zinck, Sean Patrick McCarthy, Chancie Neal, Pete Sallis, Mark Sherill, Trey Teem and Roz of the Curves.

Lee has had four-plus decades in the songwriting business and his songs have been recorded by George Straight, Blake Shelton, Alison Krauss and many more. His most popular being “Friends in Low Places,” made famous by Garth Brooks.

Crowe brings a compelling blend of blues, rock and country to the stage. He is an award-winning songwriter whose credits include artists such as Montgomery Gentry, Sammy Kershaw, Adam Gregory and many more.

Gibson is part of the Gibson/Miller Band, which has won an Academy of Country music award. He’s written number one hits and chart-toppers recorded by Alabama, Pam Tillis, Joe Diffie, Tanya Tucker and Conway Twitty.

Hobbs has recorded over seven studio albums and has charted several singles on the Billboard Hot Country Song charts.

Dukes is from Vidalia, and he has opened for many artists such as Vince Gill, Charlie Daniels, Shenandoah, Luke Combs, Carly Pearce and many more.

Zinck is pursuing her dream of being a songwriter and artist. She plays music full-time in Nashville while recording in the studio with Grammy Award-winning producer Blake Chancey.

McCarthy is the founder, front man and lead vocalist of southern coastal group Sean McCarthy Band. McCarthy is also a songwriter, producer and record label head.

Neal is a platinum-selling songwriter who also holds the record as the youngest World Champion Barrel Racer. Her 2019, single, “Rodeo Money,” tells the story of her winning days on the rodeo circuit as a child.

Sallis is a Grammy-nominated songwriter who’s written for Ronnie Dunn, Bucky Covington and the hit single “Shut Up & Fish” by Maddie & Tae.

Sherill has been a songwriter for over 30 years, and has worked with George Jones, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Hoyt Axton, Tanya Tucker and more.

Teem has won Nash Next Middle Georgia competition two years in a row. He is now “living the dream” in Nashville collaborating with some of the best songwriters in the business.

Roz is a Canadian country singer-songwriter who now calls Nashville home. She did not grow up with country music, so her sound is a fun blend of her favorite elements from pop, rock and R&B mixed together with a country twist.

There will be food and drinks, including beer and wine, at the downtown location throughout the weekend.

For more information, visit helenga.org or call 706-878-2181.