Winner announced for 2016 Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival t-shirt design

GATLINBURG - Roger Vines is the winner of the first Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival's T-Shirt Design Contest. His design was chosen from 17 entries. The Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival. Prizes include the contestant's winning design to be printed on the official SMSWF fifth annual T-shirt, a three night stay during the festival, honorable mentions, VIP access and a $100 cash payment for being the winning design.

When Vines found out his design entry had won, his reaction was "Wow, that is really exciting . . . so happy that you all liked the design and plan to use it for the T-shirt this year. I am looking forward to attending another great festival and I appreciate all that everyone involved has done to make this event a reality."

Roger Vines is a singer/songwriter from Rockford, Alabama and co-coordinator for the Sylacauga Chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. He has released one CD entitled "Kudzu Kountry" and many of his songs are on YouTube. He performs locally at festivals, restaurants, and other venues. His music is mostly country with a twist of humor, like his most popular song titled "Walmart Woman". Vine also enjoys creating chainsaw art sculptures.

Vines participated in the 2014 SMSWF Song Competition where he took home two honorable mentions for his songs "Honey You Don't Need a Six Pack" in the Country Category and "Man With the Gibson Guitar" in the Folk Category.

"It is such a thrill to have our design selected for the 2016 SMSWF T-Shirt Design Contest. Last year was the first time for me and my wife Laurie to attend the festival and all I can say is we are hooked". The shirt design was a joint effort by Vines and his nephew, Allen Oakman.

The Fifth Annual Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival is 4 days of free live music venues with over 100 shows to choose from throughout downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee August 24-28, 2016. Public Invited. This year's ticketed concerts include The Hall of Fame Songwriters Garth Brooks on Saturday, August 27th. Emi Sunshine and The Rain are scheduled as the Friday night ticketed concert.

Opportunities for songwriters include: a songwriting workshop, songwriting competition, seats in a round, stage spots and a co-writing project with Hit Writers. For details, visit www.smswf.com.

Published May 4, 2016