farragutpress

Songwriters showcase hits the right note

February 25, 2026 by Jake Nichols

A billboard hung from the stage at Wild Wing Café last Saturday, Feb. 21, casting a glow onto multicolored streamers nearby. A neon sign hung in front of the streamers reflecting the same words plastered across the billboard: “Songwriters Showcase.”

The words gave an easy descriptor for the four local musicians who belted out tunes as college basketball games played on televisions overhead.

Singer-songwriters Mitch Townley, Karen Bowles and David Haley Lauver delved into covers and original choices, each one accompanied by Gary Gilleran on harmonica.

This marked the eighth straight year for the songwriter’s event, which is hosted by Visit Farragut.

Representatives from the organization set up a table near the stage, handing out free coozies throughout the night. There also were Songwriters Showcase pint glasses available for those who registered for the event, which was free to attend.

The showcase is held each year in conjunction with Tennessee Songwriters Week, which supports music venues and songwriters with all genres of music — thus inspiring travelers to experience musical venues and attractions across the state.

No venue in the state is more famous than the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where Townley took the stage in 2019, when his song “This Side of Sunday” won Inspirational Country Song of the Year from the Inspirational Country Music Association.

Seven years later, Townley joined his colleagues in a wide-ranging performance as part of the showcase.

The group ranged from a crowd favorite, “Sweet Caroline,” to songs about candy and father-son relationships. There was even a catchy tune sung about the Town of Farragut right before the break.

That one drew a large round of applause, as Townley noted that plenty of family members and singer/songwriter friends from across the region showed up to support each person on stage.

“Songwriting for us is all about the relationships we have with one another,” he said. “And playing somewhere like this is fantastic, having a big crowd here. It’s very encouraging. Thank you to the Town of Farragut for putting this on for inviting us back. They could have gone with any other songwriters. But I think it has something to do with our rapport and our chemistry.”

“We’re here to have fun with each other, and hopefully that transfers to the crowd,” he added. “Some are commercial songs, some are personal, but they all come from the heart.”