Sandy Lee Watkins Songwriters Festival Brings Nashville Songwriting Legends to Henderson, Kentucky

News provided by

Henderson County Tourist Commission

Jul 11, 2014, 03:00 ET


Henderson, Kentucky (PRWEB) July 11, 2014 -- The fifth annual Sandy Lee Watkins Songwriters Festival returns to downtown Henderson, July 30-August 2, 2014. The event will feature Henderson native and award winning songwriter, Kerry Kurt Phillips along with more than thirty accomplished Nashville songwriters.

The performers have written hit songs such as Jimmy Buffet’s “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere,” Kenny Chesney’s “No Shoes No Shirt No Problems,” Darryl Worley’s “It Sounds Like Life To Me," Garth Brook’s “The Dance,” and many others.

“This is a very intimate event between the writer and the audience, with writers performing and telling the story behind their songs. You never know who you will see, what you will hear, and more than likely you will preview a hit before it’s recorded,” Phillips said.

Three downtown Henderson venues, Rookies Sports Bar (117 Second Street) Delizio Gourmet Italian Restaurant (136 Second Street) and Darren’s Pub (713 N Green Street), will host shows each evening. Two shows will be held nightly at each venue at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

“They're acoustic and intimate; spontaneous and unscripted, and after the shows, you get to rub elbows with some greats; the heart and soul behind songs,” said Susie Watkins, who co-chairs the event in memory of her husband, Sandy Lee.

The event was named a “Top 10 Summer Event” by the Kentucky Travel Industry Association for 2014.

Tickets and pass prices range from $8 for one session to $100 for a Four Night All Access Pass with a post VIP Party Pass. All Access Passes must be purchased in advance before July 28. Single session and nightly tickets may be bought at the door of each venue. Single session tickets will be sold as long as space is available. For more information on the festivalor to purchase tickets visit http://www.sandyleesongfest.com.

The festival is made possible by sponsors Henderson Chevrolet Buick and GMC, Ellis Park, Myriad CPA Group, Meuth Construction, Starlite Smiles, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Church, Tropicana, Mulzer Crushed Stone and others. Proceeds from the event benefit Riverbend Academy.

Jessica Mitchell, Henderson County Tourist Commission, http://www.hendersonky.org, +1 270-826-3128, [email protected]