October 20 and 21 will see the first annual Ozone Songwriter Festival in Mandeville, which takes place on four stages and has the help of over 100 singer-songwriters.

Nashville chart-topping hitmakers Greg Barnhill and Chas Sandford will be there, as will New Orleans-based songwriters Jim McCormick and Lynn Drury. “Locally-beloved performers” Christian Serpas and Wayward Jones are also on the bill. All in all, the full lineup will showcase styles ranging from Afro-Caribbean to folk and more.

 

Now, festival organizers have announced some of the scheduling details for the performances. The four stages are the Main Stage at Mandeville Trailhead; the Mandeville Trailhead Museum stage; the Old Rail Brewing Company stage; and the Lafitte Street Market stage. Performances will run from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 20 and from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 21.

Of particular note is the Nashville Songwriter Showcase taking place on October 21 from 8 to 11 p.m. at Old Rail Brewing Company. Featured showcase performers are Nashville-based songwriters Joanna Cotten (“funkabilly”); Chas Sandford, who penned the John Waite mega-hit “Missing You”; the pop, R&B and soul of Paul Childers; and a set by songwriter, Slidell native and Ozone Music Foundation President Greg Barnhill, best-known for his song “Walkaway Joe,” recorded by Tricia Yearwood and Don Henley. “The songwriters will not only perform, but will tell the stories behind their songs,” say festival organizers. Special $25 tickets for this showcase are available at www.ozonemusic.org.

Also included at the fest will be a Gospel music segment (Sun., 11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m.); performances by youth songwriters from St. Tammany Parish; a FREE workshop on songwriting techniques (Sat. at 10 a.m., Mandeville Trailhead Museum); announcement of the winners of the festival’s songwriter contest, with performance of the winning songs; appearances by local public figures and other notables; and more.

For full details, performance schedule, songwriter bios, map of fest grounds, links to purchasing showcase tickets and more, visit Ozonemusic.org.