Crystal Wise
Keegan McInroe
In the sticky warmth of early November, Fort Worth’s music scene readies itself for a weekend of chords, voices, and stories told under dim lights for the second annual Fort Worth Songwriters Festival. From Thursday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 9, Southside Preservation Hall and The Rose Chapel will transform into a sanctuary for songwriters — a place where collaborations spark in real time, and every note carries the city’s history and heartbeat.
At the center of it all is Keegan McInroe, the man whose vision turned a few scattered ideas into a living, breathing festival. McInroe isn’t just the organizer — he’s the architect, the cheerleader, the guy who will pause mid-conversation to reflect, laugh, and then lean back into the next challenge. “There’s no rest for the weary during festival week,” he says, voice still waking up from the long grind of planning, “but it’s worth every minute.”
Last year marked the festival’s inaugural run, and it was, by all accounts, a revelation. “One of the toughest things,” McInroe reflects, “is realizing what’s in your head isn’t always what’s in someone else’s. Last year gave us proof of concept — everyone could see where this could go.”
That proof came in the form of collaboration — a defining feature of Fort Worth’s music scene. McInroe calls it warm, open, and uniquely generous. “People help each other out here,” he says. “I’ve been around, and I think Fort Worth has a special thing.”
That sense of community permeates every aspect of the festival — from the curated performances to the small, almost imperceptible details that McInroe sweats over, such as tablecloths on tables, smooth volunteer coordination, and backstage flow for artists and sponsors alike.
This year, the lineup has expanded to around 75 artists — duos, trios, and full bands — each bringing their own flavor to a weekend of music that is as much about discovery as it is about celebration. But the festival isn’t just for ticket holders. Workshops and Q&As with songwriters like Sarah McQuaid and Scott Copeland, along with discussions on performance rights hosted by BMI representatives, are free and open to anyone who wants to experience the scene from the inside.
McInroe’s journey to creating the festival reads like a love letter to Fort Worth. The idea sparked in 2021, following a series of intimate shows and Sunday gatherings called Keegan & Katie & Friends. “Seeing people come together, collaborating, loving on each other — it gave me so much joy,” he remembers. Then came the discovery of Southside Preservation Hall. “I fell in love with this place,” he says, recalling its character, its history, its smell — not bad, just lived-in. It was the perfect stage for his vision.
With the help of friends, mentors, and supporters, McInroe established the Fort Worth Songwriter Foundation — a nonprofit structure designed not only to host a weekend festival but to foster the local scene year-round. Sponsorships from Record Town, Printed Threads, and other local businesses make it possible. Still, McInroe emphasizes accessibility: Thursday’s $10 opening night, Saturday markets, and free courtyard showcases ensure that money isn’t a barrier to connection. “Whether you have a lot of money or very little,” he says, “there’s something for everyone. That’s the point.”
In a city where live music has faced post-pandemic challenges, with audiences now discovering bands through TikTok as much as local posters, the festival serves as a rallying cry: come together, support one another, and remember why Fort Worth’s music scene has always mattered.
“The point of it is to nurture and cultivate and grow our scene to build bridges and help connect people and organizations where there's gaps,” McInroe says. “We want to step in and just lend a hand towards that same goal, which is to just help grow and take care of this beautiful community that we all care about, and we want to see thrive.”
