Young songwriters take the stage at Scott Stradtner Memorial Youth Showcase

Young songwriters take the stage at Scott Stradtner Memorial Youth Showcase

Cooper Cross and Sugar Bee perform as Mississippi Songwriters Festival continues in Ocean Springs and Gautier

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) — OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. — The 17th annual Mississippi Songwriters Festival continues with a lineup in both Ocean Springs and Gautier.

The Scott Stradtner Memorial Youth Showcase took place at OS 1515. Cooper Cross and Sugar Bee were the first to perform on stage Saturday.

Sugar Bee on building confidence

Madelyn Tanner performs under the stage name Sugar Bee. She said youth showcases like this help get artists out of their comfort zone.

“There was a point in my life where I wouldn’t sing for anybody but one person at a time in a corner somewhere,” Tanner said. “And when I did this for the first time last year, it really just helped me realize that people can connect to you through music. And it really just boosted my confidence to keep writing and keep singing for people.”

Cross on networking opportunities

Cooper Cross said performing is a way to do what he loves and share his songs with an audience. He said it is also a way for young artists to begin making a name for the...