Wild West Songwriters Festival: Only in Deadwood, South Dakota
October 16, 2025 - October 18, 2025 Dubbed one of the “best live music festivals for fans” and one of the “top ten songwriter’s festivals you don’t want to miss”, the three-day event will feature FREE performances by songwriters that have produced or co-written hits for artists such as Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Reba McEntire, Linda Ronstadt, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks and many more.
For more information and artist bios visit the event’s webpage: wildwestsongwriters.com
14TH ANNUAL WILD WEST SONGWRITERS’ FESTIVAL
OCT. 16-18
Featuring the third annual regional songwriting contest with $2,500 cash prize
What do songs like “Brokenheartsville” by Joe Nichols, “That’s Why I Pray” by Big & Rich, “Sorry” by Buckcherry, “Back” by Randy Houser, “Reckless” by Martina McBride and many more hits have in common? They were all written by songwriters that will be performing at the 14th annual Wild West Songwriters’ Festival October 16-18 in historic Deadwood, South Dakota.
Returning for the second year is the regional songwriting competition where artists may submit an original song to be one of the 12 chosen to participate in the ‘National Songwriting Rounds’ with world renowned songwriters as well as a grand prize of $2,500 cash and an invitation to perform during Wild Bill Days 2026. Songwriters that aren’t chosen as a part of the top 12 may still participate in local rounds throughout the weekend.
Dubbed one of the “best live music festivals for fans” and one of the “top ten songwriter’s festivals you don’t want to miss”, the three-day event (produced as a collaboration between the Deadwood Chamber & Visitor’s Bureau and local business leaders) will feature songwriters that have produced or co-written hits for artists such as George Strait, Tim McGraw, Gary Allan, Chris Stapleton, Gretchen Wilson, Craig Morgan and many more.
The festival will feature three days of free “writer’s rounds” which will showcase songwriters who are excellent performers in their own right, singing the hits they have written and telling the story behind the music. These rounds are fan favorites most notably because they are able to listen to songs that have sold millions across the world in very intimate venues throughout the historic town of Deadwood.
Writer’s rounds will begin Thursday night and continue through Saturday including many local and regional songwriters playing locations throughout historic Deadwood.
Friday evening will culminate with the local songwriter’s jam at Deadwood Tobacco Co. Also scheduled for Saturday is a national Songwriter’s Showcase at Deadwood Mountain Grand beginning at 8:30 pm featuring many of the national writers performing newly written material as well as old favorites. Top-placing regional songwriters will also perform.
For more information, email info@dmgrand.com.
