While thinking about events for the 2015 John Hartford Memorial Festival, I came up with this concept purely out of curiosity. What if I selected three or so songwriters who specialize in story songs, and host a presentation/panel discussion consisting of original story songs and individual processes? The idea being, give the audience (and me) an idea about the individual creative process. I have an idea how mine works and I am curious to the extreme that I wrote a book about it.

 Story Songs Workshop is not a "hands on" workshop. It is a performance/panel discussion about creativity. Keep reading to learn exactly what this is about. "Story Songs with Ernie Hill" has grown in popularity as folks who love stories are given a look inside the heads of folks who "make them up". Since it's premier, Story Songs has grown in popularity and appearance, now being presented also at the Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield Kansas, and The Pickin' On Picnic held at St. Clair Mo! Guest songwriters include and have included Chris Jones and Gina Furtado of Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, Chicago Farmer, Ryan Spearman of the Short Round Stringband, Juni Fisher, Wil Maring, Colin O’Brien, Old Man Luedecke, Ginger Boatwright, Nathan Blake Lynn, Giri and Uma Peters, Micahlan Boney, Kenny Cornell, and Mike Oberst of the Tillers, Andrew Morris and Julie Bates (aka The Matchsellers), Alaina Hawf of The Whispering Willows, Bill Poss, Kelly & Donna Mulholan(aka Still On the Hill), Willi Carlisle, Lily B Moonflower, Xaris Waltman and Walter Greiner.

 How does it work? I start the set with an original story song and then open up a discussion. We pass it on down the line and in the time allotted we each perform original story songs with enlightening discussion.

 Aren't all songs Story Songs? Well, no. A large percentage of top 40 mainstream songs are "feeling" songs. Songs that express love or the opposite. A story song is just that. It tells a story, sometimes taking you to a different environment. It's that simple, but where do they come from? How does a songwriter "get" their story? That's what these sets are all about. It really is different with each songwriter. I've written a book, a short introspective look inside my own mind, the minds of a few others, and some research opinions. It's called "The Cosmic Path to Melody and Lyric". Click here to read more about it. This little mind journey is illustrated by the artist Jon Griffin. Please ck it out and consider talking with me about presenting this concept at your event whether it's a great big festival or a tiny intimate listening room. Email me at ernpick@gmail.com or find me on Facebook.

52nd Walnut Valley Festival Story Songs with Ernie Hill                            The years have rolled on by and now it's almost time for another Walnut Valley Festival! Click the link for the full fest info and ticket info. 

Hard to believe this will be the seventh year running for Story Songs. I have been so blessed to have shared the stage with some of the finest and most entertaining story telling songwriters in the nation and this year is no exception with Katia Pixe Racine of Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, and Sally Vee of Sally and the Hurts! This takes place in Winfield Kansas at the storied Walnut Valley Festival on Stage 3, 9:15 a.m., Saturday, September 21st.                                                                       Join us as we perform original songs and pick each other's brains about songwriting and creativity. Pixie hails from Salt Lake City, Utah and has been traveling the states with her band which has been together for about nine years! Pixie's songwriting is deep and thoughtful and she also has a lighter side. The Partygrass Boys is a high energy band. Pixie told me that she is looking forward to the opportunity to do Story Songs, allowing her to be in an intimate setting.                                    Sally Vee calls north central Kansas home. She is no stranger to the Walnut Valley Festival having placed several times and winning the prestigious Walnut Valley Songwriting Event. Sally's songwriting gift, like Pixie's, is versatile. Sally can have you laughing and crying in the same line! Both Sally and Pixie's bands are booked this year. I am grateful that these two will be up early enough to make this set! I hope you do too!                    

Left to right- Ernie Hill, Ryan Spearman, Cody Diekoff a.k.a. Chicago Farmer