What happens in Vegas… might just be the most emotional country music moment of your summer.
From August 21–24, Las Vegas Songwriters Festival is bringing the real stars of the songs to center stage for four unforgettable days of lyrics, laughter, and behind-the-scenes storytelling. With more than 300 No. 1 hits represented across 100 live performances at Mandalay Bay, the inaugural event is rewriting the Vegas playbook — this time with a Nashville soul and a Southern heart.
At the helm is award-winning songwriter and industry vet Rob Hatch, whose own hits include “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice, “Goodnight Kiss” by Randy Houser, and “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” by Justin Moore. Hatch, who co-founded the festival through his company Entersong Entertainment, is on a mission to bring the magic of a writers’ round to the bright lights of the Strip.
“Why not?” Hatch tells Celeb Secrets with a laugh when asked what inspired this dream-turned-reality. “Our vision was always to gather the most entertaining, talented songwriters in an incredible setting. When I met Chuck Bowling from Mandalay Bay and Paul Davis from MGM, it just made sense. Passing up the chance to do it at Mandalay Bay would’ve been silly.”
And silly it is not — the festival boasts a jaw-dropping lineup of legendary names, including Dean Dillon, Liz Rose, Victoria Shaw, Paul Overstreet, and Charles Esten, alongside modern hitmakers like Chris DeStefano, Bobby Pinson, Shane Stevens, and more. One of the biggest highlights? The kickoff show, Lee Brice: Stories and Songs, taking place at House of Blues Las Vegas on Thursday, August 21.
“Lee looked at the lineup and realized he’s written almost all of his number ones with someone on this festival,” Hatch shares. “So he’ll have several of those writers joining him onstage. It’s going to be really special.”
But this isn’t just another concert. For Hatch and the Entersong team — which also includes his longtime friends Jerrod Niemann and Steve Stewart — this festival is about peeling back the curtain on the process, not just the performance.
“This festival is especially for people who want to hear the stories behind some of the biggest hits,” Hatch explains. “Writers will be sharing stories throughout their sets, but we also wanted to give fans the opportunity to learn more and ask questions, so we’ve got Q&As hosted by Storme Warren happening all weekend.”
Those Q&A sessions — held in partnership with the iconic Bluebird Café — will take place at the House of Blues B-Side venue and feature songwriting royalty like Dean Dillon (“Tennessee Whiskey”), Paul Overstreet (“When You Say Nothing At All”), Victoria Shaw (“The River”) and Liz Rose (“Teardrops on My Guitar”). With intimate “in-the-round” style performances and rooms holding under 250 people, Hatch says the experience is all about connection.
“We’re bringing Nashville soul to the Strip by keeping things intimate,” he says. “It’s like a hang between old friends that fans get to be a part of. Some writers might jump on piano, switch up instruments, tell wild stories, or bring surprise guests. Every show has its own vibe, and we want to give writers the space to be spontaneous.”
And don’t let the “songwriter” title fool you — these artists bring it. “Picture the person who wrote the song not only telling you the story behind it, but also singing and playing it live — and they’re just as good a performer as they are a writer,” says Hatch. “Now put three of those people together, trading songs and harmonizing. That’s what ‘in-the-round’ is all about.”
So, why now? Why Vegas?
To Hatch, it’s not just a passion project — it’s personal. “They’re the most talented people I know,” he says of the writers on the lineup. “I’ve had the privilege of watching them work for years, and I can’t wait for people who’ve never seen a songwriter show to experience it.”
If he had to boil down his own legacy into three songs, he says it would be: “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” – his first No. 1 with Justin Moore; “I Don’t Dance” – a career-defining hit for Lee Brice that won ACM Single of the Year; and “Goodnight Kiss” – a fan favorite with his longtime friend Randy Houser.
Now, he’s helping others shine just as bright — under the glow of the Vegas lights.
“It feels like a natural next step,” Hatch says of creating this event with his Entersong family. “We’re giving songwriters the spotlight they’ve always deserved.”
Whether you’re a lifelong country fan, a sucker for a heartfelt lyric, or just looking for a unique summer getaway, this festival promises more than a good time — it promises connection. The kind that sneaks up on you mid-verse and reminds you why you fell in love with music in the first place.
“I think it’ll be very difficult for fans not to see a performance with a song they’re really attached to,” Hatch tells us. “Because fans make songs their own. That’s the feeling people are going to leave with: ‘Wow, I heard a song about me.’”
Single-day and full 4-day passes (starting at $69) are now available. Room + ticket packages also on sale through Mandalay Bay. For the full lineup, event schedule, and Q&A sessions, click here.
