Park City’s first music festival hits Main Street in September, with a focus on songwriters and a Nashville sound.
The Park City Songwriter Festival is Sept. 13 and 14, featuring performances, songwriting workshops and more than 50 artists at five different venues.
Festival organizer and O.P. Rockwell owner Scott Thomson says the event came together after he attended some intimate shows and hosted the acoustic Nashville Unplugged at The Rockwell Listening Room. Thomson says that, plus the right people getting involved, made it the right time for the songwriter festival to happen.
“When we got together, we were like, 'we have to do this, this is the perfect time,'" Thomson said, "because Park City doesn't have a music festival. We have a lot of music, and Mountain Town Music makes sure of that; Deer Valley; all of the shows that we have throughout the summer and the winter, but not a festival.”
The festival features three different ticket levels: general admission to the two-day festival at $150; gold level, which offers early entry to shows at $300; and platinum level, which offers first entry to shows and other perks at $600. There’s also a kickoff party that’s open to the public on Sept. 12 at the Montage.
Some of the artists include Earl Bud Lee, who wrote Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places,” award-winning singer/songwriter/guitarist Anders Osborne and songwriter Kylie Sackley. Festival manager Karla Olson says the festival gives behind-the-scenes musicians a chance to get on stage.
"These songwriters are sort of like the unsung heroes, because we know the artist, their names, but these guys put in the work," Olson said. "They are so passionate about their music, and they have honestly been so grateful that Park City's providing them this platform to share their music."
The Park City Songwriter Festival is Sept. 13 and 14. Ticketing and performance information can be found at parkcitysongwriterfestival.com.