They don't call Nashville 'Music City, USA' for nothing. And for the last week in February, its culture and sounds will be relocated to our very own shores as more than one hundred local and international songwriters play thirty five concerts in venues around Belfast. Botanic Avenue in particular will transform into 'Little Nashville' during the festival as music industry legends return to share the secrets of their success and perform at the 6th Guinness Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival.

Growing in stature with each festival, this year's lineup is the biggest and best to date with talented local songwriters Iain Archer, Andy White and The Lost Brothers joined by international stars including Tom Baxter, Carlene Carter, Midge Ure, Ralph McTell, Holly Williams, Mundy and Dave Gunning. Once again, Nashville's Nanci Griffith returns to support the international songwriters' event and the Sister Cities link. As Nancy herself says, "The Songwriter's Festival in Belfast has become my annual vacation. It's an extraordinary event".

One of the festival highlights will take place in the recently refurbished Ulster Hall on Saturday 27th February when Tom Baxter headlines the Avalon Guitars Concert supported by Holly Williams (daughter of Hank Williams Jnr), Iain Archer, and John D'Arcy.

Pre-festival, there's a launch event on 29th January with hit country songwriter, Phil Vassar in concert (8pm) at the Madison's Hotel Belfast