The annual Historic Downtown Dunlap Songwriters Festival brings some of music’s most successful songwriters to the streets of downtown each summer. A collaboration between Dunlap’s own Cody McCarver and the Sequatchie County-Dunlap Chamber of Commerce, the festival is one of the most anticipated events in the Sequatchie Valley. Its success stems from the big names McCarver brings in and from the expert planning that the Chamber brings to the table.
Locals and visitors alike crowd the streets and venues to hear directly from the writers of some of music’s most popular songs. Where else can you hear Grammy award-winning songwriters, customize your own cowboy hat, and discover one of Tennessee’s most fascinating small towns? This all takes place on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in historic downtown Dunlap.
The Story Behind Dunlap’s Songwriters Festival
Cody calls Janis Adams Kyser the hardest-working woman in Sequatchie Valley. She is the executive director of the Sequatchie County Dunlap Chamber of Commerce. With Cody’s experience in the music industry and Janis’s talent for event planning and tourism growth, the pair got together to plan an event that meshes the duo’s talents.
After moving away to pursue his dream of making it in the music industry, Cody found himself back in Dunlap. With his time in Confederate Railroad behind him, he began working on his solo career. This led him to open his recording studio, Studio Dunlap, as well as other businesses in his hometown with partners Lewie and Becky Card.
“Just 6 years ago, there were 17 empty buildings in downtown Dunlap. Cody is an inspiration for Dunlap. Becky and Lewie Card moved home too, and they were the catalyst,” Janis Adams Kyser explained.
Dunlap continues to grow with Cody and his partner’s renovation of historic buildings in the downtown district. The group has added businesses such as The Dunlap Yard, Dolce in Dunlap, and The Dunlap Mercantile. Music and entertainment play a part in many of the new businesses.
With so many businesses supporting musicians and encouraging live music, the addition of Studio Dunlap to the downtown scene has only furthered Cody’s vision of the town becoming what Muscle Shoals, AL, became in the 1960s.
“I love it; I’m all about music and art for our citizens,” Kyser said of Cody’s work and the town’s growth.
With that growth, a songwriter’s festival was a natural fit for Dunlap. During a conversation between Janis and Cody, the friends agreed to partner in planning the festival.
Songwriter’s Sessions and Venues
Several downtown businesses have stages and will host Cody’s lineup of songwriters. These businesses include Game Shack Cafe, The Dunlap Yard, the Studio Dunlap guitar mural, The Dunlap Mercantile, and the Sequatchie Valley Brewing Company.
“All of these places will be hopping,” Cody said. “And this year, we will also have a stage in the middle of the street.”
The 2024 songwriter lineup includes Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter John Berry. He wrote his 1990s smash hits like “Your Love Amazes Me” and ”Standing on the Edge of Goodbye.”
Tony Stampley wrote songs for some of classic country’s biggest stars like George Jones, Moe Bandy, John Anderson, Mark Chesnutt, Travis Tritt, and Randy Travis. Plus, Hank Williams Jr. recorded 17 of his songs including “Whiskey on Ice,” “I’ve Been Down,” and ”Woman on the Run.”
Stampley also wrote songs for Confederate Railroad, as did songwriter Bernie Nelson. Nelson’s song, “Daddy Never Was The Cadillac Kind” was a mega-hit for Cody’s former band. Some of Nelson’s other hits were recorded by Conway Twitty, Pam Tillis, John Anderson, Trace Adkins, and other country stars.
“It’s a pretty simple statement, but without a songwriter, there would be no songs,” Cody stated. His intention with the festival is to celebrate songwriters and give attendees a fun, family-friendly experience.
Cody will also be performing that day. He and his latest album, Small Town America, recently earned 10 nominations from the Inspirational Country Music Awards (ICMA) and his single “God Did That” earned him 2024 Song of the Year. Attend the festival to hear him tell the stories behind his award-winning songs and learn about why Dunlap and the Sequatchie Valley continue to inspire him.
Additionally, other songwriters including Lew Card and Logan Sanders will perform. The event boasts live music all day as well as an open-mic after party at The Dunlap Yard. Stay updated on other performers and activities on the event’s Facebook page.
The Songwriters Festival in Dunlap is for Everyone
Photo courtesy of Historic Downtown Dunlap Songwriters Festival
The downtown streets will be closed, and parking will be available in the Citizens Tri-County Bank parking lot at 15699 Rankin Avenue. In addition to the headlining songwriters, the event will include:
Mobile Hat Bar
The hat bar from The Dunlap Mercantile will be moved to the street so attendees can easily customize cowboy hats. Choose your hat, band, and other customizations to create a personalized design.
Rubber Duck Race
A whimsical addition to the Songwriter’s Festival is the Rubber Duck Race. Officials will drop 500 ducks from the Coops Creek Bridge. After floating for a quarter mile, the winning ducks will earn cash prizes. Purchase ducks at the Sequatchie-Dunlap Chamber of Commerce office or the Dunlap Mercantile. Ducks are sold starting June 1 until they’re sold out. Jason Lewis Dunlap SuperCenter is sponsoring the duck race.
Axe Throwing
Axe-throwing lanes will be set up in the streets. Land Properties is sponsoring axe throwing.
Shop Local Vendors
The Historic Downtown Dunlap Songwriters Festival will feature an array of local crafters and artisans. These vendors will sell items such as candles, apparel, wood crafts, quilts, home decor, and more.
Food Trucks & Street Fare
The festival includes an assortment of food trucks and other dining options. Attendees can expect plenty of sweets like baked goods, milkshakes, snow cones, candy, and cotton candy.
Plus, plan to eat lunch and dinner at the festival. In addition to fun street food like hot dogs and nachos, food trucks will be on site with dishes such as Birria tacos, wings, BBQ, and Cajun food.
THRIVE Sequatchie and Other Special Events in Dunlap
Photo courtesy of Bikeways of the Scenic South
Janis Adams Kyser is also the director of THRIVE Sequatchie. The organization sponsors local events including the Songwriter’s Festival. Thrive Sequatchie exists to encourage Sequatchie County to thrive and be productive. Via donations collected at local special events like the Songwriter’s Festival, the organization provides lights and fans at the farmer’s market pavilion, food and snacks for the Special Olympics, and shopping trips for local children during its Shop with a Hero Program.
Donated funds go toward improving the community. Donations collected at Dunlap’s special events like the Songwriter’s Festival resulted in $12,700 last year.
“The biggest thing THRIVE Sequatchie does is Shop with a Hero. Last year we took 127 children to Walmart and assigned each one a hero. Then, the hero and their child shopped with a gift card,” Kyser explained.
In the same spirit, the Sequatchie County Cancer Network will be auctioning off a custom table at the songwriter’s festival. Built by Norman Christian, the table is made of burl wood which is prized for its unique grain pattern. The network provides $800 to each Sequatchie County resident who receives a cancer diagnosis.
These are just a few examples of how Dunlap and the Sequatchie Valley are thriving. Along with general tourism growth, other annual events bring droves of visitors to Dunlap. These events include Valley Fest, the Coke Ovens Bluegrass Festival, and the Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway Cruising Tour. Also, Cycle Sequatchie coincides with Thrive Sequatchie’s popular Oktoberfest event.
Places to Stay in Dunlap
Photo courtesy of The Silver Eagle
The Historic Downtown Dunlap Songwriters Festival brings Sequatchie Valley residents together, and it also attracts visitors from all over the country. With this in mind, many places to stay in Dunlap and the Valley will be full. The best places to stay in Dunlap include The Silver Eagle, Honeybee Motel, Mountain Inn & Suites, and Coops Creek Cabins. Plus, camp at R&R RV Campground or stay on the farm at Little Tail Farms. While many of these accommodations in Dunlap fill up quickly, other options are available on Airbnb and VRBO.
With so many things to do in Dunlap, book a room and spend some time getting to know one of Tennessee’s most charming small towns. Also, cruise the newly designated Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway – learn more here. Music fills the valley during the Historic Downtown Dunlap Songwriters Festival, but there’s really no bad time to visit. A Sequatchie Valley vacation is an opportunity to write your own song, start planning your trip today!
Authored in Appalachia || Amy Morton