The finalists have been announced for the 2026 Mississippi Songwriter of the Year.
A panel of music industry judges listened to the songs and judged the lyrics to all submitted songs at the famous Wishbone Studio in Muscle Shoals, AL.
Fifteen finalists have been chosen and each will perform at The Guitar Academy in Kosciusko, MS on Saturday, June 27th beginning at 7 p.m.
The contest gives local artists a chance to highlight their musical talents.
One winner will receive $2,000 toward having their song professionally recorded and produced at a reputable studio.
Mississippi Songwriter of the Year 2026 Finalists:
*In alphabetical order by last name*
- Krystal Adcock (Mize) – “Heaven’s Hunting Ground”
- Gabriel Bass (Natchez) – “Kudzu”
- Roy Brown (Florence) – “H.O.L.Y.”
- Randy Bo Daughtry (Florence) – “Second-Hand Man”
- Arthur Jacob (Ridgeland) – “Whose Nightmare am I Living”
- Lauren Lindsay (Kosciusko) – “The One I’ll Love”
- Angela Pittman (Brandon) – “Life in the South”
- Marilyn Powell (Philadelphia) – “Livin’ in the Word”
- Jodie Ross (Louisville) – “I Was Yours”
- Preston Sanders (Collinsville) – “Every Part Has a Song”
- Bobby Sharp (Philadelphia) – “Love and Birds”
- Paul Southerland (Lorman) – “High Heels to Fill”
- Lee Buford Threadgill (Jackson) – “Goldmine”
- Jeff Tolleson (Carthage) – “Moonshine”
- Mike Wootan (Carthage) – “Four Lane Junkie”
