by Stephanie Graham
Every song you have ever listened to, whether at church, on the radio, from a stage, all started in the brain of a songwriter. Every song that ever existed had to start with a thought or an idea and a songwriter, or songwriters, developed it and brought it to life through lyrics and melody. Sometimes the artist that sings the song is also the writer. But sometimes, the songwriter is just the songwriter, and they hope their song gets picked up by an artist.
If you have never been to a songwriters’ show or writer’s round, you are missing out. It is a very different experience than a concert or other live music shows. They are typically smaller, more intimate settings with two to five songsmiths on stage, often held in coffeehouses, listening rooms, or small theaters. There is no light show. There are no loud production effects. There is not even a band. These performances strip music down to its essence. It’s just a voice, an instrument, and a story waiting to be told. The audience is quiet because they are there to hear the stories behind the songs. The songwriters don’t just perform; they talk about where an idea came from, what inspired a particular line, or how a fleeting moment turned into a chorus. At these shows, the most important content comes between the songs. This experience offers a rare chance to step behind the curtain and witness music in its most human, raw, unfiltered form. Suddenly, a song is no longer just something you hear – it’s something you understand. And without the barrier of a massive stage or a roaring crowd, the connection between the performer and audience becomes immediate.
In today’s fast-moving digital world, where music is often consumed in fragments – skipped, shuffled, or played in the background – songwriter shows invite us to slow down. They help us to listen closely and experience music as something intentional. And perhaps most importantly, these shows remind us why songs matter in the first place. A well-written song can capture a feeling we couldn’t quite put into words or connect us to someone else’s experience in a deeply personal way. Seeing that process up close – watching someone share a piece of their life through music – can be unexpectedly moving. You may never hear your favorite songs the same way again. Once you have seen where songs begin, you start to appreciate not just the music itself, but the people and stories that bring it to life.
Last year, the Tyler Music Friendly Advisory Board held its first annual Songwriter’s Festival in Tyler. It consisted of a songwriter’s workshop during the day and a songwriter’s show in the evening. This year, we are excited to announce that the Tyler Music Friendly Board will again coordinate a songwriter’s workshop while Visit Tyler is producing Brick Street Revival, which will be a two-day singer/songwriter’s Festival this summer. Grant Ingram, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce COO, states, Brick Street Revival brings the soul of songwriting to the heart of downtown Tyler. There’s nothing quite like hearing the stories behind the songs in a room as special as Liberty Hall. The magic of a singer/songwriter show is that every song has a story. Brick Street Revival invites audiences to hear the music and the moments that inspired them.” This event will take place July 31st and August 1st. Ingram adds, “The event centers on four songwriters performing over two nights at Liberty Hall in downtown Tyler, emphasizing the stories behind the songs.” The presenting sponsor, Wagner Cadillac, along with other sponsors, is helping make this possible.
So, here is your chance to be part of the excitement of a songwriter’s showcase!
Friday, July 31st
Wade Bowen and Sean McConnell
Wade Bowen has been a staple in the Texas music scene since he released his first record in 2002. Since his first launch, he has released 10 studio albums, played over 4,000 shows, and has been recognized as Texas Radio Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
Sean McConnell is a Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, and producer with published songs for Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Brothers Osborne, Brett Young, Meatloaf, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town and more. With his incredible songwriting ability, he has established himself as one of the most sought-after collaborators in the industry.
Saturday, August 1st
Aaron Raitiere and Jack Ingram
Aaron Raitiere is an accomplished songwriter, singer, performer, and storyteller from Danville, Kentucky. Aaron won a Grammy in 2019 for co-writing “I’ll Never Love Again” with Lady GaGa, Hillary Lindsay, and Natalie Hemby, for the movie, “A Star Is Born”. He has also placed cuts with Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Lori McKenna, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lone Bellow, Randy Rogers Band, Chris Shiflett, Midland, Brent Cobb, Shooter Jennings, and many more.
Jack Ingram has maintained a reputation for uncompromising, personally charged song craft and energetic, charismatic performances for over 20 years, earning his prominent stature in a prestigious tradition of iconic singer/songwriters. As a veteran of the Texas music scene, Jack is known as an exhilarating live performer. He has released eleven studio albums, six live albums, nineteen singles, and has been honored by Academy of Country Music with awards for both Top New Male Artist and Song of the Year and has landed Grammy and CMA nominations.
For all the aspiring songwriters out there, and for the seasoned ones, the songwriters’ workshop will be held on Saturday, August 1st, beginning at 9 a.m. at The Foundry Coffee House in downtown Tyler. This workshop is designed for beginners and experienced writers and will explore what makes a great song and how to write one. It will include a lunch and a chance to meet a professional songwriter.
You will be able to find information and tickets for the workshop and the singer/songwriter shows at brickstreetrevival.com.