January 17-18, 2020, join some of the country’s most talented storytellers and songwriters for an unforgettable weekend of music and storytelling at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa. The fourth annual Lyrics & Lore, an event hosted by the Dollywood Entertainment team, The International Storytelling Center and Bandtwango, brings the beauty and inspiration of songs and stories to the Great Smoky Mountains and celebrates their rich traditions in the Appalachian region.
Workshops and other activities give event guests the opportunity to learn from internationally-recognized storytellers and hit songwriters as they share their stories and offer guidance. Additionally, everyone can sit back and enjoy as these artists perform some of their chart-topping songs or favorite stories. Interested guests do not have to stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa to attend Lyrics & Lore.
Event headliners Beth Nielson Chapman and Deana Carter bring excitement and inspiration to this year’s event. Chapman has made her mark in the music world by writing award-winning hits for a variety of artists including Elton John, Bette Midler, Faith Hill, and Martina McBride. Chapman’s music has made its way to the big and small screens with tracks in projects including “ER,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “The Rookie,” and “The Prince of Egypt.” Chapman is also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Guests can enjoy Chapman’s headline performance on Friday, Jan. 17.
Country songwriter, recording artist and producer Deana Carter is known for her 1996 multi-platinum international debut album “Did I Shave My Legs For This,” which included her wildly popular single “Strawberry Wine.” More recently, she co-wrote Kenny Chesney’s Grammy-nominated single, “You and Tequila.” Carter also co-wrote and produced an album for recording artist Audra Mae while putting the finishing touches on her own latest album, “A Southern Way of Life.” Carter will give a special performance on Saturday, Jan. 18. Guests can attend both Chapman’s and Carter’s performances at no cost.
The event kicks off Friday morning with a performance by International Storyteller Geraldine Buckley. The award-winning storyteller has been telling stories for more than 30 years across multiple countries. Buckley is known for sharing personal anecdotes that showcase her charming wit, warmth, and humor.
Friday continues with songwriting workshops featuring discussion and instruction from Dave Berg, Tim James, and Chapman. Dave Berg is a country music songwriter whose list of credits includes the Top 10 hits "Stupid Boy" by Keith Urban and "Don't Make Me" by Blake Shelton. James is an accomplished country music songwriter with hits including Trace Adkins’ Grammy-nominated song “All I Ask For Anymore” and Lee Brice’s radio favorite, “Love Like Crazy.”
Saturday’s workshops showcase the talents of storyteller Andy Irwin and songwriter Guthrie Trapp, as well as more from Berg. Trapp is one of Nashville’s preeminent guitar talents and currently, is finishing work on a follow-up to his successful solo album, “Pick Peace.” Irwin is a one-person showman and one of the most sought-after performing storytellers in the country. He is known for his whimsical voice, hilarious heart-filled stories, and incredible whistling.
A full schedule and registration details for Lyrics & Lore is available at 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 Dollywood.com or call (800) DOLLYWOOD.
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.
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."
