SANDPOINT — Music Conservatory of Sandpoint’s SongFest series is returning with a slate of nationally recognized musicians and local artists for music and intimate tales of song development Sept. 17-18.

Opening Thursday, Sept. 16 and running through Saturday, Sept. 18, the series boasts names such as Coley McCabe Shepherd, Thom Shepherd, Wil Nance, Steve Azar and Leslie Satcher, who will be in Sandpoint performing their number one songs and telling the tales of their songs’ creative development.

Throughout the weekend, intimate venues will highlight the lyrics and musical memories as well as give the audience the opportunity to meet the songwriters up close.

“The goal at each venue is to create a ‘listening room,’' Music Conservatory’s Kathi Samuels said.

Except for the Thursday performance, which will be held at The Idaho Club, MCS is hosting all concerts at the conservatory, 110 Main St..

“Our newly renovated fire station doors will be open, and café style seating will allow for music to spill out into the street,” she said.

SongFest benefits MCS and is made possible by community sponsors. Choose from individual concerts or a day pass online at sandpointsongfest.com. General admission tickets are as low as $35. The three-day pass is $79 and includes all shows.

“Advanced purchase is preferred,” Samuels said. “This event has limited seating and we anticipate selling out.”

Thursday, Sept.16 show begins at 7 p.m. at The Idaho Club and features Thom Shepherd and Coley McCabe. Fans are encouraged to make dinner reservations at least an hour before the event, as the performance will take place along the Pack River underneath the club’s outdoor event tent.

Friday, Sept. 17 is the “songwriters in the round” performance at MCS and kicks off with local writers Sam Leyde and Ben Vogel at 6:30 p.m. Hit songwriter Wil Nance will immediately follow.

Nance, whose songs have been recorded by George Strait and Brad Paisley, will be joined on stage by Thom and Coley. Streetside food vending will be available, courtesy of Jupiter Jane before and during the show.

On Saturday Sept. 18 at 11 a.m., there will be a free open mic hosted by the North Idaho Songwriters Association, followed by a local artist show at 3 p.m. The three o’clock show features “homegrown” songwriters like Ben Olson, Hannah King and Ben Vogel.

Saturday evening picks up with Thom Shepherd, Coley McCabe at 6:30 p.m., followed by “I Don’t Have to Be Me Til Monday'' artist and writer Steve Azar at 7:30 p.m.

Closing out the night will be the legendary writer of songs, Leslie Satcher, whose songs include “Troubadour.” Leslie’s performance begins at 8:30 p.m.

The producer of this event is Thom Shepherd. Shepherd is Country Music Award Texas “Songwriter of the Year”. A veteran of Nashville’s Music Row, he is the writer of five number one singles including “Redneck Yacht Club,” recorded by Craig Morgan, “Riding with Private Malone” recorded by David Ball, and three Texas music number ones.

Thom has written over 10 radio singles, two Grammy nominated songs, and has had over 100 songs recorded by other artists.