Deana Carter Headlines the 8th Annual Ozone Songwriter Festival in Covington
The voice behind Strawberry Wine is headed to the Northshore. Deana Carter headlines the 8th annual Ozone Songwriter Festival in Covington, opening three days of original music that run Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 8.
Founded by New Orleans songwriter Greg Barnhill and billed by organizers as Louisiana's largest songwriter festival, Ozone brings more than 140 live performances to Covington. Friday night is a ticketed showcase at the Fuhrmann Auditorium, and Saturday and Sunday are free and open to all ages across historic downtown. The festival is supported by Explore Louisiana and the Louisiana Division of the Arts, and proceeds benefit the nonprofit Ozone Music Foundation.
Deana Carter Opens the Weekend at the Fuhrmann Auditorium
The weekend opens Friday, November 6 at 6 p.m. with Deana Carter live at the Fuhrmann Auditorium. Organizers describe the showcase as an intimate evening of songs, stories and live music, and Deana Carter shares the stage with Grammy-nominated songwriters Jamie Floyd and Greg Barnhill. Crispin and Ezra Schroeder open the night.
Deana Carter broke through with her 1996 multi-platinum debut album Did I Shave My Legs for This?, which produced the No. 1 hit Strawberry Wine along with We Danced Anyway and How Do I Get There. Her songwriting reaches well beyond her own records, too. According to the event listing, artists including Kenny Chesney, Matchbox Twenty and Miranda Lambert have recorded songs she co-wrote.
The Friday showcase is the only ticketed event of the weekend, and every ticket supports young musicians and songwriters through the Ozone Music Foundation.
Two Free Days of Songwriters in Downtown Covington
Then the whole town becomes a stage. On Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, songwriters fill stages and venues across Historic Downtown Covington, including the outdoor Trailhead Stage. Both days are free and open to all ages, with a lineup that runs from emerging local writers to Nashville hitmakers.
The weekend is built for families too, with a Kids Zone, seminars, food, drinks, shopping and family activities alongside the music. The full Saturday and Sunday schedule and a stage map are posted on the festival hub.
Workshops for Songwriters
Saturday morning also brings songwriter workshops from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Bogue Falaya Hall, 317 N Jefferson Ave. Sessions include:
Songwriting and Collaborations with Greg Barnhill and Joyce Sampson
Copyright and Contract Fundamentals with entertainment attorney Max Hass
Social Media for Music and Entertainment with Nashville songwriter and creator Kell Martin
Songwriters can register for workshops here.
The Songwriter Behind Ozone
Greg Barnhill is an Emmy-winning songwriter, vocalist and producer from New Orleans, and the founder and president of the Ozone Music Foundation. His credits include Walkaway Joe, recorded by Trisha Yearwood with Don Henley, House of Love by Amy Grant and Vince Gill, and Gary Allan's It Ain't the Whiskey. His television work includes the Emmy-winning TODAY show theme Your Day Is Today.
Through Ozone, Barnhill has built a festival that puts the people behind the songs center stage, from first-time writers to Nashville hitmakers. Festival proceeds help the foundation expand opportunities for young musicians, songwriters and performers across the Northshore, Louisiana and the Gulf South.
When Barnhill joined us on Louisiana Country Music Live, he shared a piece of advice that fits the spirit of the weekend.
"Don't ever think you're not good enough, but don't ever think you're better."
Plan Your Weekend
Day | What | Where | Admission |
Friday, Nov. 6, 6 p.m. | Deana Carter showcase with Jamie Floyd and Greg Barnhill | Fuhrmann Auditorium | |
Saturday, Nov. 7 | Songwriter workshops, 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. | Bogue Falaya Hall, 317 N Jefferson Ave | |
Saturday, Nov. 7 | Songwriter performances, Kids Zone, food and shopping | Historic Downtown Covington and the Trailhead Stage | Free |
Sunday, Nov. 8 | Songwriter performances, Kids Zone, food and shopping | Historic Downtown Covington and the Trailhead Stage | Free |
From a Friday night with Deana Carter to a weekend of free shows downtown, the Ozone Songwriter Festival puts the people behind the songs in the spotlight, right here in Louisiana. Thanks to Greg Barnhill and the Ozone team for building a weekend where Louisiana's own writers and Nashville hitmakers share the same stages.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ozone Songwriter Festival
When is the 2026 Ozone Songwriter Festival?
The 8th annual Ozone Songwriter Festival takes place November 6 through 8, 2026 in Covington, Louisiana, with more than 140 live performances.
Is the Ozone Songwriter Festival free?
Yes, the Saturday and Sunday festival is free and open to all ages. The Friday night Deana Carter showcase at the Fuhrmann Auditorium is the only ticketed event, and proceeds support the nonprofit Ozone Music Foundation.
Who is performing at the Ozone Songwriter Festival showcase?
Deana Carter headlines the Friday, November 6 showcase with special guests Jamie Floyd and Greg Barnhill, both Grammy-nominated songwriters. Crispin and Ezra Schroeder open the evening.
Who founded the Ozone Songwriter Festival?
New Orleans songwriter Greg Barnhill founded the festival through the Ozone Music Foundation, a nonprofit that supports young musicians, songwriters and performers.
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