Special Songwriting and Storytelling Event Coming to Dollywood

A special songwriting and storytelling festival is coming to Pigeon Forge this month, and everyone is invited! From January 26 – 29, 2017, Dollywood will host “Lyrics & Lore Weekend”, a series of workshops and concerts dedicated to tunes and tales. Some of the nation’s finest writers and performers will be on hand to share the secrets of their craft. If you are an aspiring songwriter or storyteller, or you just love listening to great music and entertainment, you will love this event!

All of the weekend’s fun will take place at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort at 2525 Dream More Way in Pigeon Forge. Lyrics & Lore includes a mix of free and paid events for attendees to enjoy. Visit My Smokies has put together a convenient guide to everything going on at this highly anticipated festival.

Free Workshops, Matinees, and Songwriter Showcases

Some of the best events at Lyrics & Lore Weekend are completely free and open to the public! We recommend registering in advance to guarantee that you will have a seat for your desired workshops, matinees, or showcases. To sign up for one of the free events, use the registration link below the photo on this page. Here is a quick look at all of the weekend’s free events:

Friday, January 27

“Find the Song Inside of You” Workshop – Accomplished songwriter Michael deBills shares advice for writing lyrics and setting lyrics to music. This workshop runs from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Storytellers Matinee – Internationally recognized storytellers Beth Horner and Bill Lepp will tell some riveting and hilarious tales. The matinee will last from 3 – 4 p.m.

Afternoon Songwriters Showcase – Successful songwriters Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle, and Jerry Salley will perform with a group of aspiring songwriters. The showcase is scheduled for 4:30 – 7 p.m.

Saturday, January 28

“Mining Memories To Find Family Stories” Workshop – Beth Horner leads a workshop on shaping family memories into great stories. The class runs from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Storytellers Matinee – Beth Horner and Bill Lepp return to the stage for more wonderful storytelling. The matinee will run from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Seals, White, Kennedy Q&A Workshop – Hit songwriters Brady Seals, Bryan White, and Gordon Kennedy will host a Q & A session about writing and the music business. The workshop is scheduled for 3 – 4 p.m.

Afternoon Songwriters Showcase – Accomplished songwriters Doug Johnson, Bill LaBounty, and Scott Reeves will perform with a group of aspiring songwriters. The showcase will run from 4:30 – 7 p.m.

Sunday, January 29

Interdenominational Praise Service – Beth Horner and Bill Lepp will tell inspirational stories and songwriters Jerry Salley, Carl Jackson, and Larry Cordle will perform religious music. The service is scheduled for 9 – 10:30 a.m.

Celebrity Concerts

Lyrics & Lore Weekend will include incredible concerts on Friday and Saturday nights from some of the best songwriters in the business! Tickets for each night are $22.45, or you can purchase tickets for both shows for $39.29. To get tickets, click the link below the photo at the top of this page. Here is what you can expect at the weekend’s concerts:

Friday Night Concert

The concert on Friday evening at 8 p.m. will include the following performers:

• Keith Anderson, who is known for his hit song “Pickin Wildflowers”
• Scott Reeves, who wrote “Made in America” for Toby Keith
• Doug Johnson, who wrote “Three Wooden Crosses” for Randy Travis
• Bill LaBounty, who wrote “Rock My World Little Country Girl” for Brooks & Dunn

Saturday Night Concert

The concert on Saturday night at 8 p.m. will include the following performers:

• Brady Seals, who is best known for his work with the bands Little Texas and Hot Apple Pie
• Bryan White, who is known for his hit song “So Much for Pretending”
• Gordon Kennedy, who wrote “Change The World” for Eric Clapton

Collaborate with Hit Songwriters

Lyrics & Lore Weekend presents attendees with a very special opportunity to collaborate with one of the hit songwriters at the festival. When you sign up for the Co-Write with Hit Writers Project, you will work in small groups with other aspiring musicians and chart topping songwriters like Keith Anderson, Doug Johnson, Scott Reeves, Bill LaBounty, and others. In this unique workshop, attendees will hear a story from one of the internationally recognized storytellers at the festival and co-write a song based on that tale. Later, amateur songwriters will perform their new song with the professionals at one of the weekend’s showcases. Registration for this workshop is $135.

Looking for more fun activities for your vacation in Pigeon Forge? Check out our complete guide to Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains!