The year 2002 marks the Nashville Songwriters Association International's (NSAI's) tenth annual celebration of songs and songwriters - Tin Pan South. This past April, the celebration resonated throughout Nashville. From the best "in-the-round" shows anywhere to an educational songwriter's symposium designed to inspire and educate participants, Tin Pan South had something for everyone!

This year's Tin Pan South was bigger than ever, and in this case bigger also meant better, featuring: The World's Largest Open Mic Nite at MARS Music; a special taping of PBS' "Speaking Freely" with Charlie Daniels; The Legendary Songwriter's Acoustic Concert at The Ryman Auditorium with special guest America; Music Row 2002 Songwriters Symposium; The Big Kidz Band Show featuring Skip Ewing, two Piano Nights and over 100 club shows in venues throughout Nashville.

With approximately 25 great shows every night, it was not humanly possible to see them all, as much as we tried. Dashing around town at a mad pace, we managed to see Tricia Walker, Beth Nielsen Chapman (Faith Hill's "This Kiss"), Ashley Cleveland, Kathy Mattea, Annie Robboff ("If My Heart Had Wings") and Karen Staley ("Tracy Byrd's "The Keeper of the Stars" and Faith Hill's "Let's Go To Vegas) , the big girls in the Nashville Songwriting community