Taking place Jan. 17-19, 2019, join the Dollywood Entertainment team, The International Storytelling Center and Bandtwango, Dollywood’s newest partner, for a captivating weekend event.
Lyrics & Lore brings together some of the country’s most talented storytellers and musicians to celebrate the rich traditions of songwriting and storytelling in the Appalachian region. Audience members have the opportunity to enjoy internationally-recognized storytellers as they share their stories and learn about the most popular songs heard on the radio. Guests do not have to be performing or speaking to attend. Additionally, everyone can sit back and enjoy as these talented songwriters perform some of their chart-topping songs.
Beginning with registration on Thursday, Jan. 17 and running through the weekend, nationally-recognized storytellers and hit songwriters from country and gospel music take center stage. The headline concert takes place Saturday night and features Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman, the duo who wrote the chart-topping Tim McGraw song "Live Like You Were Dying" that won Best Country Song at the 2004 Grammy® Awards. Combined, these songwriters have penned songs for performers such as Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Blake Shelton and more. In 2009, Wiseman was awarded "Songwriter of the Decade," and in 2015, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
On Thursday night, an opening reception features performances by the duo Thom Shepherd, CMA Texas Songwriter of the Year, and artist Coley McCabe. As an Austin-based touring artist who spent many years as a songwriter in Nashville, Shepherd now performs regularly with his band, solo and as a duo with McCabe.
Friday’s songwriting workshops feature discussion and instruction from Sam Tate, Cole Taylor and Chase McGill. Tate is a Grammy-nominated songwriter whose songs have been recorded by a Who’s Who of country artists from Reba McEntire to Rodney Atkins. Taylor has quickly become an in-demand country songwriter for a multitude of country artists including Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell and Florida Georgia Line. Songwriting newcomer McGill hit his stride in 2018; in October, he topped the Music Row Songwriter chart at #1 with songs by Swindell, Bryan, and Kane Brown on the charts simultaneously.
Storytelling experts Barbara McBride-Smith and Michael Reno Harrell headline the storytelling segment of this year’s Lyrics & Lore on Friday and Saturday. McBride-Smith transports audiences from the ancient world of the Greek gods and goddesses to the eclectic shenanigans of her Baby Boomer generation. She is said to interpret folklore with the style of a Texas-born cheerleader and has been featured on NPR, authored two books, and contributed to the multi-volume series, The Storytellers Companion to the Bible. She is the recipient of the NSN ORACLE Circle of Excellence and the American Library Association’s ‘Top Ten Titles’ awards.
Harrell is an award-winning songwriter and veteran storyteller/entertainer from the Southern Appalachian Mountains, where storytelling is as much a part of the culture as music. Five decades of performing have taken him to more than 40 states and several countries. A consummate performer, Harrell’s combination of music and storytelling is based in experience – sometimes very funny, sometimes a bit scary, often heartwarming and always entertaining.
On Friday night, the first evening of the Songwriter Keynote and Concert begins with Regie Hamm, a multidimensional writer and storyteller. Penned as an artist, producer, songwriter, novelist and more, Hamm has received multiple Grammy® Award and Dove nominations, as well as being noted for his 21 #1 hits in the Christian market and one American Idol finale song, "The Time of My Life," recorded by David Cook.
A full schedule and registration details for Lyrics & Lore is available at www.dollywood.com. Please note that some of the music concerts are separately ticketed events. To stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa for the event, visit www.dollywood.com or call (800) DOLLYWOOD.
The "world’s friendliest park" is set to celebrate 2017 and "The Year of the Family!" When visiting Dollywood, friends and families can enjoy more than 40 rides as well as 15 outstanding shows. The park also features five of the South's largest festivals and plenty of Southern-style dining!
The exciting 2017 season starts on opening day, March 18. Dollywood's Festival of Nations (March 18 - April 9) displays the most captivating entertainment from around the world. Park visitors can sample a celebration of music, dance, food and art. Many guests are excited about the return of Mother Africa. This amazing show combines skillful acrobatics, modern and traditional dance, comedy and colorful costumes, all set to the music of a renowned live band.
Slask, one of Europe’s most prominent folk dance and music ensembles will perform at Showstreet Palace Theater. Hodman & Sally from the country of "Oblivia" will stroll the park and pose for photos. Husband and wife duo, Dearbhail Finnegan and Robin Slater will bring their Irish harp and flute duo to the Back Porch Theater. Other acts include Streichmusik Alder, Invaders Steel Orchestra and Kelly Shipe!
This summer, Gazillion Bubbles Show returns to Dollywood’s Summer (June 17 - Aug. 6)! Guests visiting during this time can enjoy extended hours and nightly fireworks. Plus, Parade of Many Colors will return during Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov. 4 - Jan. 1, 2018).
New additions include Great Pumpkin Luminights during the Harvest Festival (Sept. 29-Oct. 28). Also, enra, a Japanese performance art company, will perform during Spring Break (April 10-22).
Festival of Nations: March 18 - April 9
Barbeque & Bluegrass: May 26 - June 4
Spring Break Featuring enra: April 10 - 22
Dollywood Summer (Extended Hours & Nightly Fireworks): June 17 - Aug. 6
Harvest Festival Featuring Great Pumpkin Luminights: Sept. 29 - Oct. 28
Smoky Mountain Christmas: Nov. 4 - Jan. 1, 2018
Drop Line
Whistle Punk Chaser
TailSpin Racer
Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins
In 2017, Dollywood’s "The Year of the Family" offers 250 days of memory-making fun starting March 18! Visit Dollywood.com for dates & hours, show schedules and to get your season passes.
Songs and stories blend with the beauty and inspiration of the Great Smoky Mountains for a weekend of Lyrics & Lore at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, an event held Jan. 26-29, 2017, in conjunction with The Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival (SMSWF) and The International Storytelling Center (ISC).
Lyrics & Lore brings together some of the country’s most talented storytellers and musicians to celebrate the rich traditions of songwriting and storytelling in the Appalachian region. The weekend allows the public to interact with storytellers and songwriters who will teach participants ways to tell their family’s unique stories. Additionally, songwriters participating in the event will work in small groups to pen songs to be performed during Saturday’s activities, offering those in attendance the opportunity to experience the process of story developing into song.
Throughout the event, nationally-recognized storytellers and hit songwriters from country, bluegrass and gospel perform for Lyrics & Lore guests. On Friday, a country songwriters’ showcase and a concert featuring Bryan White and Brady Seals from the country group Little Texas highlight the evening’s activities. Sunday morning brunch and an inspirational gospel hour with Grammy Award winner Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle and Jerry Salley round out the special weekend event. Some of the music concerts are separately ticketed events.
The International Storytelling Center, based in Jonesborough, TN, will award its inaugural Seal of Excellence to Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort during the weekend event. ISC created the Seal of Excellence program to recognize storytelling-related sites of superior quality across a variety of cultural institutions, heritage sites, tourist attractions and communities. Kiran Singh Sirah, President of the International Storytelling Center said,
"We created the seal as a way to recognize excellence in different organizations that are using storytelling to enhance their own core mission, whatever that may be. I think anyone who’s been there (to Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort) could tell you that this designation has been richly earned."
Lyrics & Lore Schedule And Lodging Information
In a Country Weekly magazine cover article, Dolly takes a look back at three decades of Dollywood milestones. This year, marks the park’s 30th anniversary. A year-long celebration is well underway, including the grand opening of Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, set for later this summer.
Over the past 30 years, Dollywood has grown in size and appeal. Its award-winning shows and attractions offer a unique brand of family entertainment. In 2010, Dollywood received the coveted Applause Award, the theme park industry’s highest honor. Additionally, it has earned nearly 30 Golden Ticket Awards and received 24 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment (more than any other theme park in the world).
The park, located in Pigeon Forge, TN, opened in 1986. It was Dolly’s way of giving back to her community and the people who live there. Today, Dollywood sits on a 150-acre site. It supplies the largest amount of seasonal jobs in Sevier County. After the new resort opens, Dollywood properties will be responsible for over 3,000 jobs.
Country Weekly is an American-based, weekly magazine covering the latest news on country music’s hottest stars. Dolly last appeared on the cover on December 22, 2014.
Thirty years ago Dolly envisioned a place in her hometown where families could spend time together and make memories; she found that in Dollywood. Thirty years later the theme park is the largest ticketed attraction in Tennessee and Dolly’s dream of helping to employ people in her hometown and bring families closer together has been fulfilled. In honor of Dollywood's 30th anniversary season, Dolly will open Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in the summer along with new shows, events and exciting announcements all season long! Dolly isn’t done dreaming and the 30th anniversary season promises to kick off another 30 years of fun.
