In the spotlight

Panama City Songwriters Festival

Michael R. J. Roth will perform at the Panama City's Songwriters Festival

Corey Hall & Michael R. J. Roth will play at the Panama City Center for the Arts on Friday, November 6, at 5:10 p.m.

Daniel Phipps & Michael R. J. Roth will perform at the Lightroom on Saturday, November 7, at 5:15 PM

 

 

 


 

For more info and tickets, go to the PCSF web page here

"On the Road to Somewhere Else" gets honorable mention in American Songwriter

September 4, 2026

Go to american songwriter

Michael R. J. Roth at education encore

The Price of a Song: Writing More Dangerous Lyrics

This course will look at the basics of modern songwriting and explore ways to break the rules of composing lyrics that avoid cliches and stand out in unexpected ways, to grab the attention of the listener. 

Michael R. J. Roth has been called "a cool dark troubadour...not unlike Townes Van Zandt" with songs known for intriguing imagery and "deep, profound truth." 

He was the 2024 Grand Prize Winner of American Songwriter's lyric contest and was the lyric winner of the USA Songwriting Competition, the NSAI/CMT Song Contest, the Dallas Songwriters Association, the Austin Songwriters Group, the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, and three-time lyric winner of The Great American Song Contest. His song “Gone Gone Gone” (written with Eric Ramsey) was a Grand Prize Winner (second place) in the 2021 Dallas Songwriters Association Song Contest. Lori McKenna called him "Brilliant."

September 18 - October 30 (on Fridays)

Student Union West (SUW) 348

PERIOD THREE 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Go to education encore

play music on the Porch day

Saturday, august 29, 2026

Michael R. J. Roth will be at Play Music on the Porch Day at two locations, Wild Root in Lynn Haven at 1 p.m., and Wild Root in downtown Panama City at 5:30 p.m.

"Love Washes Off" wins NSAI Orlando Chapter Challenge

What are the chances that a folk song could  stand a chance in the country-heavy NSAI Chapter Challenge ? 

Life changes but music is a thread to hold onto

If you follow me, you might be wondering what I’ve been up to for the last few months. I’ve shared this with a few friends, but I thought I should share it with my followers. I’ve hesitated to do this, because we see people posting their medical conditions, followed by a stream of posts with pictures of injuries and X-rays. I didn’t want to do that, but I thought it was important to share this. It’s not to ask for sympathy or donations. Just to let you know what’s happening to me.

I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’ disease. It’s one of those game-changing events that make your life make a turn you never expected. For me, it’s affected my ability to perform, which is why I haven’t been performing, with a few exceptions. I’m still writing, and hoping to release songs I’ve been sitting on for a while. In the meantime, I’m learning to navigate this new perspective I have on life, and make the best of it.

Writing Lyrics That Grab the Listener

This two-hour class will focus on examining the work of great lyricists and the techniques they use to write memorable lyrics. Attendees are invited to bring their own works for feedback. Open to all levels, from beginning to advanced. 

The class will be on July 19 at Catalyst Church, from 10 a.m. till noon. Catalyst Church is located at 3901 Highway 390, Panama City.

Michael R. J. Roth teaches lyric writing at Gulf Coast State College's Encore program. This class is a response to students' requests for more classes.

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"As If Whiskey Could Put Out A Fire"

Streaming everywhere on May 31

"As If Whiskey Could Put Out A Fire," co-written by Michael R. J. Roth & Eric Ramsey, was a Silver Award Winner in the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, and a Finalist in The Great American Song Contest. It was recorded at Tommy's Dungeon Studio in Nashville. It features the talents of Dylan Rossin (acoustic), Nate Keeterle (electric),  Gary Lynn (bass), Steve Peffer (keys), Vivian Rogers (engineer), and Tommy Harden on drums. 

A great song to sing along to at your local bar. 

Stay tuned for more information!

Great american song contest finalists

"Sunshine State" & "As If Whiskey Could Put Out A Fire"

Two songs co-written with Eric Ramsey. 

Judge's comments on "Sunshine State": "This is a vivid portrayal, as the striking juxtaposition between the picturesque ideal of the "Sunshine State", the grim reality of urban decay and personal suffering generates a bleak, cinematic atmosphere."

Songs for Easy Heroes