3rd Annual
Grand Mesa Songwriter Festival
June 5th - 7th, 2026
A celebration of songs, songwriters,
and the stories that inspire them!
In Beautiful Cedaredge, Colorado
Presented by:
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18 Songwriters
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6 Venues
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3 Days
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1 Incredible Experience
Discover the Soul of Song at
the Grand Mesa Songwriter Festival
Imagine a place where melodies linger in the crisp mountain air, and every lyric tells a story waiting to be heard. The Grand Mesa Songwriter Festival, nestled in the charming mountain town of Cedaredge, Colorado, isn't just an event – it's an unforgettable journey into the heart of original music.
This isn't your average festival. We've curated an intimate, authentic experience where you'll connect directly with the artists and the very essence of their craft. Picture yourself strolling through Cedaredge's historic downtown, moving between multiple stages housed in unique, cozy venues. Here, both emerging talents and Grammy-winning songwriters share their gifts in captivating "in the round" sessions. You won't just hear songs; you'll hear the stories, the inspirations, and the magic woven into every note. It's a true "listening room" experience, fostering a profound connection between artist and audience.
Whether you live and breathe music, dream of writing your own songs, or simply crave a unique and inspiring getaway amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Mesa, the Grand Mesa Songwriter Festival promises an experience that will resonate long after the last chord fades.
Come for the music, stay for the stories, and leave with memories that sing.
Check out the GMSWF feature in Spoke & Blossom here: S&B
What the songwriters are saying about the 2025 Grand Mesa Songwriters Festival
"Reflecting back on an amazing weekend in Cedaredge, I am honored to have spent it with such talented, kind, professional and respectful writers!
I kept referring to Cedaredge as the "Mountain version of Stars Hollow" (for any Gilmore Girls fans) and I stand by that. Everyone welcomed us graciously and treated us like family to this beautiful little corner of the world. The audiences were attentive and respectful. One of the best songwriter festivals I have ever had the pleasure of performing at."
~ Marcus Hummon
"Thank you for inviting me to be a part of this festival. What a fantastic experience! It was really fun watching it through the eyes of my friend Matt, visiting from Denver. He's a big live music fan and commented frequently on how much he enjoyed the range of styles and attention to detail. Count me in anytime!"
~ Michael Lille
"Thank you so much for having me be a part of it all! I was very impressed by how efficient & organized everything was with only being the second year! You’re all amazing!"
~ Marcedes Carroll
"Thank you all so much for a dreamy, inspiring weekend of song. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to share songs and meet so many incredible folks. The whole event was really well run. Thank you to all of the volunteers who made it such a warm and welcoming event."
~ Kyle Harvey
"Once again, a terrific festival. Thanks for having me. From the friendly, supportive staff and volunteers, to the professional sound wranglers, to the wonderful audiences, a fantastic experience. You all do an amazing job!"
~ Bill Edwards
"Year two did not disappoint! Thank you so much for having me back.
Grand Mesa Songwriters Festival one of my all time favorite events to be a part of. Incredible community, audiences, and songwriters make it a truly special weekend".
~ Erik Stucky
"What a pure pleasure and a weekend full of inspiration! Thank you to everyone that put their efforts into the second annual Grand Mesa Songwriter Festival. Everyone involved was a joy to meet and to sing for. It was clear that a lot of love and consideration went into planning the festival and it showed. I consider it a highlight of the year to spend time in such a beautiful place with my tribal songwriting friends."
~ Marc Douglas Berardo
"Thanks to David Starr, all the organizers, volunteers, sound engineers and other singer songwriters who gathered together to create an inspiring and uplifting event. All in all, I left Cedaredge renewed by all the wonderful songwriters and friends I rarely get to see. Congratulations on a successful second Grand Mesa Songwriter Festival! I wish you all the best in continuing this wonderful event."
~ Dana Cooper
"Thank you for letting me be a part of such an amazing event! It's so rare to have such a tight-knit community that appreciates live original music like Cedar Edge. With all the friends and support I found, it feels like I found a second hometown. I can't wait to come back!
The songwriters I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with were amazing. We laughed so much that my face was sore. I was inspired and entertained by every person I had the chance to hear. I made lots of new friends, and some even feel like family."
"Thank you David, Cindy, and Jo Carole for your dedication, planning, coordinating and hard work organizing the 2025 Songwriters Festival. A lot of thought and experience went into every aspect of this festival. It does take a village to pull off such an event like this. Thank you to the 70+ volunteers, all professionals. Thank you to the venues that opened their doors to give us a place to share stories with a whole new audience. I always enjoy my time in Cedaredge, spending time with friends, taking in the beauty in every direction energizes me."
~ Joe Oeser
Thank you for a great event! I loved being part of it…what a wide range of songs and styles and stories. It was a joy to be with my fellow songwriters and to play off and with each other and the audience. A delight to see old friends and find new ones! Big thanks to everyone who made it happen—the organizers, venues and volunteers provided a beautiful, fun, thoughtful space for listening and being together in community. A wonderful opportunity in wonderful Cedaredge! I know the festival will grow and continue to inspire and entertain. I don’t like to dwell on the bucket list thing, but it was a bucket list event for me! Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of it.
~ Ellen Stapenhorst