The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) stages its 17th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, March 31-April 4. The songwriters’ festival, which takes place at numerous venues throughout Music City USA, also coincides with NSAI Spring Training (A Songwriter’s Symposium), a two-day intensive seminar for writers of all genres and experience levels.

Thousands of music fans are expected to converge on Nashville for five days and nights of performances by several hundred songwriters from various genres in nearly 100 showcases during the festival. Performers and venues will be posted March 11 on www.tinpansouth.com. That’s when tickets also go on sale.

Billed as America’s largest music festival dedicated to songs and songwriters, Tin Pan South was developed 17 years ago by a group of songwriters who recognized Nashville as the “new” Tin Pan Alley, much like the New York scene was during the early part of the 20th century. Besides shedding light on Tennessee’s rich cultural heritage and on the songwriters who live and hone their craft there, the festival serves as a fundraiser for NSAI’s legislative efforts.

NSAI Spring Training opens April 3 with a performance by and interview with noted singer-songwriter Ray Stevens. The two-day symposium also will feature panel discussions, performances, and song evaluations with Nashville publishers.

Established in 1967, NSAI is a not-for-profit trade organization for songwriters with more than 5,000 members in the U.S. and five other countries. For more information on NSAI , visit www.nashvillesongwriters.com.