KOSCIUSKO, Miss. — Marilyn Powell of Philadelphia has been named the 2026 Mississippi Songwriter of the Year.
Powell was one of 15 finalists who performed Saturday night at The Guitar Academy in downtown Kosciusko during the competition.
Powell earned the title with the original song “Livin’ in the Word.”
As the 2026 Mississippi Songwriter of the Year, Powell receives a $2,000 recording and production allowance to professionally record the winning song at a reputable recording studio. In addition, Powell will perform the winning song live on WLBT’s Studio 3 Live in July, providing another opportunity to share the music with audiences across Mississippi.
Muscle Shoals musician, historian, and Shoals music icon Johnny Belew returned as a judge for the competition.
“Every year I’m impressed by the level of talent this competition attracts,” Belew said. “These songwriters bring unique stories, heartfelt lyrics and outstanding performances, and it’s exciting to see Mississippi’s music community continue to grow.”
In addition to the overall winner, Roy Brown was named the recipient of the Vaiden Farm Supply People’s Choice Award for his song “H.O.L.Y.”
Boswell Media General Manager Melissa Boswell Townsend said the competition has become a showcase for some of the state’s best original music.
“The Mississippi Songwriter of the Year competition is about giving talented artists a stage to share their original work,” Townsend said. “We’re proud to support Mississippi songwriters and celebrate the creativity and passion they bring to the music industry.”
The 2026 competition featured 15 finalists representing communities across Mississippi, including Kosciusko, Natchez, Lorman, Florence, Ridgeland, Brandon, Philadelphia, Louisville, Collinsville, Jackson, Carthage, and Mize.
For more information on the Mississippi Songwriter of the Year competition, visit MSSongwriterOfTheYear.com.
Mississippi Songwriter of the Year Winners
- 2026: Marilyn Powell
- 2024: Ron Etheridge
- 2023: Naomi Taylor
- 2022: Zechariah Lloyd
- 2021: Brandon Green
- 2020: Chapel Hart
- 2019: Wayward Jones
- 2018: Derek Norsworthy
- 2017: Josh Jolly
