Singer-Songwriters Share the Stories Behind the Music

by Zach Hively

If you want an intimate evening with some of the finest singer-songwriters in the business, well, you’d better stay put in Durango. Who needs Nashville when Music City is coming to Colorado?

Nashville Songs & Stories with “Writers in the Round” will perform at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, featuring the stories behind the songs – each of these songwriters has penned popular hits by recording artists. Unlike with typical concerts, the writers get to talk about how those songs came about, as well as pull the sheets off some of their more personal work.

“We never know until we get on stage what’s going to happen,” says songwriter Danny Myrick. “We don’t have a set list, and the night takes on a magical, dynamic flow. I get to sing along with these other artists who have massive hits and also happen to be friends of mine.”

The stage is sparse: this concert could just as easily take place in a living room, or the back of a quiet pub. There’s no light show, no choreography, just a group of friends taking turns singing songs and sharing stories. They’ll jump in to add improvised instrumental backing or just sit back and enjoy each other’s performances.

The songs between artists often speak to one another, Myrick says. After his friend plays a funny song, he gets to decide: do I keep this uptempo and try to outdo him? Or do I shift the tone and bring the night to a different level?

Plus, there’s always some unexpected gem that gets dusted off for the night.

“All of us have our artistic side,” Myrick says. “We all have songs that ended up being track 11 on a record, songs that nobody is aware of. We definitely mix those things in. We love digging into our bag of tricks and honestly, that’s where you often get really heartfelt moments. For vocational songwriters, so often our best songs are not the ones that end up on the radio.”

Kerry Sprick, the local producer of the event, finds particular delight in signing up for the evening-long emotional ride. The stories the artists tell are candid: often funny, sometimes sad, always moving.

“As an audience member, you get to hear the personal experience of these songwriters,” she says. “They don’t hold back. It becomes a comfortable situation to share very difficult moments or very happy moments. Stories that we can all either cry about or laugh about, and know we’re not alone in that experience. Listening to these folks talk and sing, it becomes a relationship almost immediately.”

Sprick decided to bring Writers in the Round performances to Durango because the community is already so supportive of the musical arts – yet she saw an opportunity for more of something different.

“We do bluegrass, we do jazz, we have symphony,” she says, “but I don’t know that we have enough of this singersongwriter thing. I think this is a way to round out the culture of Durango and enrich the community.”

It’s not just musical enrichment, either; this second annual Writers in the Round event is also a philanthropic fundraiser. Not only will the Community Concert Hall benefit from ticket sales, but additional revenue generated through corporate sponsorships will go toward La Plata County Search and Rescue.

“It’s just incredible to see what we can do, not only for the songwriters, but more importantly for the community,” Sprick says.

Yet all this goodwill can only come to bear because the performance itself is so special and so powerful. These Writers in the Round concerts are rare treats for audience members. They also have a long history in music meccas like Nashville. For artists like Myrick, who moved to Tennessee as a teenager to pursue professional songwriting, partaking in them can be a career-long dream come true.

“One of the first things that I ever did in that world was go to the Bluebird Cafe for Writers in the Round,” Myrick says. “It was the most incredible thing to me. It’s an inside-baseball look at the songs you hear on the radio by some of the biggest artists. I just remember the first time going to the Bluebird and thinking, ‘Man, if I could just ever do that in my career.’”

Now, these types of concerts are a staple of his touring life. Even better than playing in them, he gets to be a spectator with the best seat in the house. And that’s saying something, because every seat in one of these performances feels as personal as friendship.

“You’ll walk away thinking, ‘I don’t know what just happened to me,’” Sprick says, “but it will be the greatest evening you’ve had in a long time.”

N estled i N the s a N J ua N M ou N tai N s

, Silverton is a hidden gem that boasts stunning natural scenery and a rich history. The town is known for its charming Victorian architecture which adds to its unique character. However, what really sets Silverton apart is the wealth of outdoor activities available to visitors. From hiking through the breathtaking mountain trails to experiencing the thrill of off-road adventure, Silverton has something for everyone. The town is also homebase to many high alpine lakes, a river providing opportunities for fishing, paddleboarding, and many backcountry sports. You can also experience the town’s mining history by taking a tour of the Old 100 Gold Mine Tour and exploring the amazing San Juan Historical Museum and the self-guided Mayflower Mill tour. One of the best aspects of Silverton is its serene atmosphere. The town is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and offers many options in dining, shopping, lodging, and entertainment. To discover all the things to do, where to eat, museums and tours to explore, and where to stay the night, log on to silvertoncolorado.com. Silverton has all the charm and uniqueness to make memories with your family on a mountain vacation or makes the perfect stop while on your solo adventure.

CONTENTS:

58 Old 100 Mine

60 Silverton Art Galleries

62 The History of Silverton