Memphis Songwriters Series Hosted by Mark Edgar Stuart

Artist Lineup

Talibah Safiya

Talibah is a recording artist and writer focused on storytelling through music, and experience curation. Safiya’s last record, Black Magic, was released in collaboration with the University of Memphis’s School of Music Business where she served as Artist in Residence. This project, listed as one of NPR’s favorite albums of 2024, interprets and reframes the University’s hill country blues catalog housed by Highwater Records.

Safiya is currently serving as Narrative and Storytelling Manager at The Big We. She is also rolling out her latest body of musical work, Eternal, an album exploring themes of radical self acceptance, joy as resistance and therapy through dance. Last spring, her songs “I Love You Me” and “Unlimited” were featured in Walmart X Radio’s latest “Black and Unlimited” compilation project.
As a songwriter, she recently contributed to the soundtrack for shows on both MAX and STARZ and is excited to continue to express her love for music and culture through service and performance on local and worldwide stages.

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Bailey Bigger

With her haunting, pure voice, and her honest, whimsical songwriting, Bailey Bigger brings a sense of wonder and purity to the Americana music scene. Hailing from the small southern delta town of Marion, Arkansas, Bigger grew up creating her own magical tales out in nature, writing short stories of dream-like worlds from the branches of her favorite magnolia tree. When she began writing music at the age of six, these stories translated to song, beginning the evolution of her journey as a songwriter.

The 25 year old singer/songwriter/instrumentalist has collected back-to-back nominations at the Arkansas Country Music Awards, been named Songwriter of the Year in Memphis, won Audience-Favorite music video at Indie Film Fest, and has had multiple songs featured on TrueSouth on SEC Television. Bigger has traveled the country over the last four years, enchanting audiences with her siren song and classic American songwriting. She has shared stages and festival lineups with Sierra Ferrell, The Local Honeys, The Avett Brothers, and toured alongside Joe Purdy and Trampled by Turtles. Bailey’s voice has graced the stages of Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Bluebird Cafe, Georgia Theater, and many festivals including FloydFest, Americanafest, and Memphis in May.

Lina Beach

Lina Beach is a Colombian-American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Franklin, TN who found her home in Memphis. While studying music at Rhodes College, she arrived at the legendary Royal Studios as an intern for producer and co-owner Boo Mitchell. Her guitar playing soon caught Boo’s attention, who inspired her to share her gift. This period of growth sparked an outpouring of songs exploring love, loss, spirituality, and self-discovery–now being recorded at Royal for her upcoming debut album, Little Sanities.

After graduating, Lina was welcomed as the Newest Member of Royal Studios' house band, the Hi Rhythm Section. Since then, she has performed around the world and in the studio with a host of notable artists, including Al Green, William Bell, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Eric Gales, and Charlie Musselwhite. While Lina brings a fresh and personal style to her music, she honors the rich, soulful sound that has defined Royal Studios for generations.