The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Tourism division today announced the launch of the ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series, which will take place in six cities across the state from July through December. The series celebrates the “Year of Georgia Music,” the 2016 marketing initiative developed by Georgia Tourism to promote the state as a premier destination for live music and music heritage. Cities participating in the ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series include Albany, Atlanta, Columbus, Dahlonega, Dublin and Macon.

“Music tourism continues to grow worldwide as a niche segment for travelers,” said Kevin Langston, deputy commissioner for tourism at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “With more than 75 music festivals, a wide variety of music venues, numerous historical landmarks and tours, Georgia’s musical landscape offers a wealth of opportunities for visitors to create their own music-themed experiences. The ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series celebrates the sounds of our state by presenting intimate performances by homegrown artists in unique venues across the state.”

The series features successful songwriters, who will take turns telling the stories behind their hit songs, and performing them raw as originally written.

Information on performance venues, artist bios, photos and ticket information can be found at ExploreGeorgia.org/Songwriter-Series. A full list of 2016 performance dates is below:

July 29 – Artists: EG Kight, Levi Lowery and Greg Hester
Location: Dublin Carnegie, 314 Academy Avenue, Dublin

August 20 – Artists: Jake Fussell, Marshall Ruffin and Alia Torres
Location: The Loft Green Room, 1032 Broadway, Columbus

September 21 – Artists: Randall Bramblett, Michelle Malone and Brent Cobb
Location: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta

October 7 – Artists: Cole Taylor, Travis Denning and Trea Landon

Location: Albany Museum of Art, 311 Meadowlark Dr., Albany

November 19 – Artists: Pat Alger, Tony Arata and Amy Ray

Location: Holly Theatre, 69 W. Main St., Dahlonega

December 2 – Artists: Lloyd Buchanan, Lola Gulley and Ike Stubblefield

Location: Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Dr., Macon