A global historic project has launched, linking Nashville and Liverpool to support musicians and songwriters by advancing mental health awareness, while promoting diversity and understanding.
A press conference was live-streamed simultaneously in both Nashville USA and Liverpool U.K. on May 9, 2022, to announce a joint initiative by both mayors from the biggest music cities in the world.
The mission is to advocate for mental health while also championing the search for the best songwriters from around the globe.
The Road to Nashville – Liverpool International Song Contest 2022 is a seven month project, which highlights original material by global songwriters and musicians with a unique infrastructure to support them with mental health services and counseling, as well as submitting their songs throughout the process of the international song contest.
The project kicked off with a live stream launch between Liverpool, hosted at the British Music Experience and Nashville, anchored at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
Presented by The Unity of Faiths Foundation (TUFF), Visit Music City and Liverpool City Council, the contest was initiated in an effort to create a community of kindness spanning Liverpool to Nashville in the spirit of John Lennon.
As a display of the unity between the cities, the Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson passed to Nashville Mayor, John Cooper a special vintage microphone used by The Beatles when they performed at The Cavern Club in Liverpool.
As a show of support from Nashville, a resolution was read by Metro Councilman Jeff Syracuse at the most recent Metropolitan Nashville City Council Meeting stating “that the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as showing their support for the Liverpool International Song Contest – Road to Nashville 2022.”
Songwriters can submit their songs starting today with the final deadline set for July 31, 2022.
The top ten finalists will perform live before judges in Nashville at the Legendary EXIT/IN on John Lennon’s birthday Oct. 9, 2022.
When writers are submitting their content for review in the contest, they will be presented with a prompt asking if they are interested in meeting with a mental health professional. Should they select that option, upon submission the TUFF team will connect with the songwriter to set them up with complimentary sessions with a psychologist.
Visit https://www.tuff.earth/roadtonashville/ to learn more.