The Songwriter Series at McLemore will bring together songwriters from different generations, backgrounds, music genres, and writing styles on July 20. As the summer heats up, so will the performances from three award-winning songwriters. The series is made possible in part by FirstBank and Land Rover of Chattanooga.
Review for the performers:
Mary Gauthier takes the stage as the first of three performers. Her new album, “Dark Enough to See the Stars,” focuses on love, death, and her own life experiences, and garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album, as well as a nomination for Album of the Year by the American Music Association. Gauthier has written for Jimmy Buffett, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, and even Boy George.
Artist Brandi Carlile noted, “Mary’s songwriting speaks to the tender aspects of our humanness. We need her voice in times like these more than we ever have.”
Leah Blevins comes to the stage with the grit of vintage country music and the ‘grace of gospel.’ The Kentucky native has spent over a decade working in Nashville, with her first album being a compilation of stories about coming into womanhood, writing a song, and staying sober. Blevins later found herself in Dallas, Texas where she booked sessions at the Modern Electric, a move that allowed her to focus on her music.
Blevins leaves “First Time Feeling” open-ended and says, “I want people to find something relatable within these songs. For me they’re a reminder that all the pain that I went through—which isn’t that different from the pain every human goes through—it’s all mine. By making this album, I’ve taken it, I’ve owned that pain, I’ve made it mine, and I’ve wrapped it up with a bow on top.”
The third performer for this special evening is Heather Morgan. She sings like she writes: clear and strong, with her notes and words layered within her winsome country soprano voice. A Richardson, Texas native, Morgan has written hits for Keith Urban, Brett Eldredge, Sarah Evans, Maren Morris, Dierks Bentley, and Kenny Chesney.
Her album, “Borrowed Heart,” is a collection of moody pop layered with her country soprano, and it captures her own personal evolution as a songwriter.
Morgan’s music has earned her four number one singles and a BMI Country Song of the Year Award.
“When the songwriting door started opening in Nashville, I thought, ‘Oh, I need to write for this person and that person and stay in this magic moment that’s happening over here,’” Morgan says. “But I remember thinking, ‘When I have a hit and can afford to do it myself, I’m going to. I’m going to record my own project.’"
Baring all, “Borrowed Heart” captures Morgan’s heart in full. “Ultimately, all of the songs come together to create a stirring portrait of an artist exposing her own words, stories, and dreams,” says Morgan. “There’s a vulnerability and strength that I’m so excited to share.”
Duane Horton, president of Scenic Land Company said, “Connecting our guests with performers builds relationships that cannot be replicated. The beauty of the venue along with the music really speaks to people and it’s an honor for us to make these connections. As we plan for the future one thing remains consistent for us: building on the special relationships and sharing the magic of an evening ‘above the clouds’. We hope to see returning and new guests on July 20.”
Tickets are available for $55 each and may be purchased by visiting McLemore’s website.