By Mike Severson, Founder of Songwriter City
Recently, I found myself standing in the back of the room, just smiling.
Not because I was surprised. But because I knew exactly what was happening.
After nearly ten years of producing songwriter round experiences through Songwriter City, I’ve seen hundreds of these shows at corporate events, conferences, private gatherings, and special celebrations across the country. What began as a format rooted in Nashville songwriting culture now travels easily to audiences everywhere.
And even now, a particular combination of writers will come along that reminds me exactly why this format resonates so deeply with audiences.
That was one of those nights.
The lineup featured David Hodges, Emerson Hart, and Natalie Hemby — three exceptional songwriters from different musical worlds, each fully capable of holding a room on their own.
David helped shape the early sound of Evanescence and has gone on to write major songs across various genres, including the current Ed Sheeran single “Camera.” Emerson is the voice and primary songwriter behind Tonic, whose songs have been part of the soundtrack of so many lives. And Natalie is one of Nashville’s most respected writers, with a catalog that spans some of the biggest artists in the world.
Individually, they’re all exceptional. But what makes the songwriter round format so powerful is the combination.
When great songwriters share the stage together, the music becomes a conversation. The stories begin to weave together. One memory sparks another. Humor builds naturally. Songs resonate differently when they’re framed by another writer’s perspective. What could be a series of performances instead becomes something shared and alive in the room.
That’s what was happening on this night.
From the first few songs, you could feel it — the chemistry, the ease, and the mutual respect between the writers. They listened to each other. They reacted to each other’s stories. They played off each other’s humor and experiences. The room leaned in.
Over the years, I’ve learned that when songwriters of this caliber are placed together in the right setting, something meaningful and exceptional is almost certain to unfold. What keeps it exciting for me is that every combination brings something new — different personalities, different musical histories, and different ways of telling a story.
Just when you think you’ve seen every possible version of the format, another lineup comes along that reveals a new layer of connection and creativity. Each are truly one of a kind.
A big part of what we do at Songwriter City is curate these songwriter experiences intentionally for audiences around the country. We think carefully about musical backgrounds, personalities, storytelling styles, and how each writer will interact with the others on stage. When that chemistry is right and the environment supports it, the result is more than entertainment. It becomes a shared experience that connects people through music and story.
Another part of what makes nights like this special happens before the first note is ever played.
Time in the green room often turns into its own kind of performance. The conversations move easily between music, family life, the creative process, and plenty of humor. One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that the best songwriters are almost always great people — thoughtful, curious, quick-witted, and deeply aware of the world around them. Listening to those conversations can be almost as enjoyable as the show itself. That part never gets old for me.
After the performance, the client told us it was the best entertainment they had ever experienced at one of their events. I’m always grateful to hear that. But when songwriters of this caliber share a stage in the right setting, it’s not at all surprising, because over the years I’ve seen what happens when the right writers share the same room.
It becomes more than a performance.
It becomes a shared human moment that resonates in the room.
And nearly ten years after starting Songwriter City, I still feel fortunate every time I get to stand in the back of the room and watch it unfold.
