Weekend with Storytellers & Songwriters at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort

Dollywood's DreamMore Resort will serve as the setting for lyrics and storytelling event in January. Image courtesy of Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival.

A weekend with Storytellers & Songwriters is taking place at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort from January 26-29, 2017. The Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival and The International Storytelling Center are joining together to bring the public a 'hands on' weekend of Lyrics and Lore. The event will feature #1 Hit Songwriters and International Storytellers. Everyone is encouraged to bring their families and participate in two free workshops during the weekend; 'Finding the Song Inside of You' and 'Mining Memories and Discovering Family Stories'.

During the weekend attendees will have the opportunity to hear internationally recognized storytellers tell their tales, learn the stories behind the songs you hear on the radio and see the #1 Hit songwriter who wrote that song perform it in its original version.

Night time ticketed concert entertainment for the weekend includes a Friday Songwriters Showcase featuring Country Artist/Songwriter Keith Anderson "Pickin Wildflowers" up close and personal in a songwriters round with Scott Reeves "Made In America" for Toby Keith, Doug Johnson "Three Wooden Crosses" for Randy Travis, and Bill LaBounty "Rock My World Little Country Girl" for Brooks & Dunn. International storyteller, Beth Horner will be part of the opening performance when she tells a 30 minute story that these hit writers co-wrote a song about.

Saturday night's concert showcases International Storyteller Bil Lepp, with hit songwriters Brady Seals of Little Texas "God Bless Texas", Bryan White, "God Gave Me You" for Blake Shelton and Gordon Kennedy, "Change the World" for Eric Clapton. These three hit writers will hold a Q&A session Saturday 3-4:30 PM about the songwriting and music business providing a chance for songwriters and the general public to ask industry questions. They will also share stories about their writing process.

Sunday morning from 9-10:30 AM there will be a praise service hour with Grammy Award Winner Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle, and Jerry Salley along with International Storytellers Beth Horner and Bil Lepp. This is open to the general public as well as those attending the Lyrics & Lore Weekend at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort.

These international storytellers and #1 hit song writers will perform free afternoon matinees Friday and Saturday in the Living Room section of the lobby at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort.

For tickets to Friday and Saturday night concerts and more information on the Lyrics & Lore weekend go to www.smswf.com or call 865-604-9066.

The Lyrics & Lore Weekend is designed to bring the public into an experience with storytellers teaching them how to tell their family story and with songwriters showing them how a story can become a song. These workshops are free.

The Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival is also hosting a SMSWF Co-Write with Hit Writers in conjunction with the Lyrics & Lore weekend. The songwriters participating in the SMSWF Lyrics & Lore Co-Write with Hit Writers will co-write a song about the 30 minute story International storyteller, Beth Horner tells. Songs produced during this co-write will be performed after Beth finishes telling the story at Friday night's concert. If you are a songwriter who would like to participate in this SMSWF Co-Write with Hit Writers, please sign up at www.smswf.com. Under the tab 'For Songwriters' you will find the Lyrics & Lore Co-Write project or call 865-604-9066. The Lyrics & Lore Co-write will take place Thursday evening January 26, 2017.

Everyone is welcome to participate in all facets of this great weekend. Package Deals including lodging are available at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort.

Published January 8, 2017