The annual bi-state festival celebrating those who create the songs that inspire our daily lives returns to Meridian this month for its grand finale.

Following Saturday’s kickoff in Demopolis, Ala., the fifth annual Hwy 80 Songwriters Fest will travel to Jackson for a two-day stop of songwriter rounds at two local venues. The festival will then move to Meridian for a three-day stop that will include songwriter rounds, a songwriting workshop led by Nashville singer/songwriter Karen E. Reynolds, an open mic session and a grand finale concert featuring Track45.

First held in 2013, the mission of the songwriters fest is to provide songwriters throughout the Southeast a platform to showcase their talent.

“The goal is to build up the creative economy by expanding songwriters’ platform and territory and performance opportunities, while helping them to perfect their craft,” said Casey Hendricks, vice president of The Montgomery Institute. The songwriters fest is part of an initiative of the Institute.

The Jackson venues include Brent’s Drugstore (644 Duling Ave.) on July 6, and will feature John Paul Dove and the Museum Preservation Society Band (Meridian’s own Terry Cherry, John Marshall, Kent Allen, Mouise Richards and Richelle Putnam). And on July 8, Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St.) will be the setting for a songwriters round featuring Robert Daniels, Emily White, Charlie Hewitt and Daniel Maurice Houze.

Two nights of songwriters rounds will be held in Meridian in four locations. On July 13, two North Meridian venues will be the settings from 6:30-9:30 p.m.: Squealers BBQ and News Restaurant. Highlighted songwriters include local artists Scott McQuaig, Bob Ray, Emily White, Chuck Luke, Steve Westbrook and Daniel Maurice Houze. Admission is free.

And, on July 14, songwriters rounds will be held at two Downtown Meridian venues, starting at 8 p.m.: Weidmann’s and Brickhaus restaurants. Highlighted songwriters are from throughout the Southeast region and include Michael Hughes, Sydney Beaumont, Stephen Lee Veal, Thomas Jackson, Sean Gasaway and Abe Partridge. Admission is free and the songwriters will play both venues.

“Many of these artists are new to Meridian and this will give them an opportunity to broaden their fan base and engage with a new audience,” Hendricks said.

July 15 will mark the Hwy 80 Songwriters Fest Grand Finale. The day will begin with the songwriting workshop “Building Better Songs: How to Craft Songs That Work” facilitated by singer/songwriter Karen E. Reynolds. Scheduled from 1-3 p.m. at Soule’ Steam Feed Works in Downtown Meridian, the workshop is free and open to all ages and levels.

Reynolds is an award-winning singer songwriter and music industry consultant. The workshop is designed to guide participants through a comprehensive look at how to build skills and improve their songs.

“Learn song-crafting techniques used by seasoned pros that can take a good song, and make it a great song with effective rhyme schemes, dynamics that capture and maintain a listeners attention, choosing the right melodic structure, phrasing, how to find and develop compelling hooks, etc.,” stated Reynolds in a release about the workshop.

The last portion of the workshop will be an open critique session, allowing participants to receive positive feedback on their songs, plus identify and correct trouble spots before the demo, recording or pitch. Reynolds has received national recognition for her songwriting and is a critically acclaimed performer and vocalist. A respected music industry consultant, Reynolds provides constructive critique and consultation to songwriters and artists looking to improve their careers. She is the host and program director of a worldwide radio program that has aired for more than 18 years, is a sought after speaker and workshop presenter at conferences and music industry events, and has taught songwriting and music business for a variety of organizations and universities. Reynolds is also the director of the “Frank Brown Int’l Songwriters Festival, Foundation For Music In-Schools Outreach Program,” serves as the Mississippi Songwriter’s Festival Writer-In-Residence Instructor, and for many years has brought songwriting to schools via a curriculum based performance, educational and instructional experience.

An open mic session is scheduled from 3:30-6 p.m. and is open to all ages and levels. Admission is free.

The day will conclude with a Grand Finale performance with Karen E. Reynolds as the opening act at 6:30 p.m., and headliner Track45 performing at 7:30 p.m.

Track45 is a country music trio composed of siblings Jenna Johnson (vocals, guitar), Benjamin Johnson (vocals, cello) and KK Johnson (vocals, fiddle). The trio brings a fresh sound to the scene, drawing from classic country, modern pop and British invasion delivered with unique and powerful blood harmonies.

Track45 has played a variety of venues, including Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, The Bluebird Cafe, The Grand Opera House and the AmericanAirlines Arena. They were Hollywood finalists on the “X-Factor,” first place winners of the Jimmie Rogers Talent Competition, and regular performers on the nationally syndicated radio show PBS Sucarnochee Revue.

Admission to the Grand Finale performance is $10, adults; free for children and students.

For more information about the songwriters fest, visit the Hwy 80 Facebook page. Or, contact Richelle Putnam, Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) roster/teaching artist at richelle1putnam@yahoo.com; or, The Montgomery Institute at www.tmi.ms or 601483-2661.

• The Hwy 80 Songwriters Fest is made possible in part by grants from The Meridian Council for the Arts and Community Foundation of East Mississippi.