Five award-winning songwriters gather for the 5
th Annual Celebration of NC Songwriting. Dean Driver, Wyatt Easterling, Rebekah Todd, Kirk Ridge, and Isabel Taylor perform country, folk, rock and blues in an entertaining full band format with noted session players bassist Bobb Head and drummer Jonathan Wilson.
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Dean Driver www.reverbnation.com/deandriver
A few years ago, Dean Driver started hearing songs in his head, calling him to pick up his old guitar and learn to play it in completely new ways. The inspirations continued until he felt the need to produce an all-original acoustic album at age 50, which he aptly called
Late Bloomer. In 2011, with the generous help of friends and family, he and his partner Laurel built a music venue and arts center called Doodad Farm just east of Greensboro, with the goal of making live music more accessible and intimate, and fostering collaboration among artists of all types.
Wyatt Easterling Â
www.wyatteasterling.com
Leading Atlantic Records’ A&R Department began Wyatt Easterling’s two decades of platinum and gold winning releases. He later partnered with Miles Copeland (The Police & Sting) then moved out on his own writing with songs like his title track for Dierks Bentley’s chart-topping, million-selling album
Modern Day Drifter.  Wyatt’s 2014 release,
Goodbye-Hello, was lauded as rich with wisdom, acceptance and optimism. Once again getting ready to launch a new album, Wyatt is headed back to the studio this summer.
Rebekah Todd www.rebekahtodd.com
“Rebekah is currently based out of Wilmington, NC. She is a gifted songwriter with a voice that was meant to be heard—natural, soulful, and effortless. She finds inspiration in her life experiences and channels those emotions into her songs, making her approach to music organic and authentic.”
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Kirk Ridge www.kirkridgemusic.com
Kirk Ridge’s songs tell tales of life’s irony, humor, and frailty. He performs with his bands Black Dog Syndrome and Kirk Ridge & Friends. His lyrics have been published in American Songwriter magazine, and he writes for Cary Playwrights Forum productions. Kirk’s music has been featured on NPR’s Car Talk and he won Belfast’s Celtic Roots Radio competition. He co-hosts “Pass The Hat” on WHUP radio, featuring local performers and is events coordinator for the NC Songwriting Co-op as well as the Durham Arts Council.
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Isabel Taylor www.isabeltaylorsings.com  Isabel Taylor recently celebrated the release of her debut CD
Awake Again, produced by Jon Shain and engineered by FJ Ventre. She has been performing in Triangle venues, festivals, and on the NC coast for several years. After joining the open mic scene in 2010, where she performed rarely-heard covers by artists such as Nanci Griffith, Emmylou Harris, and Bob Dylan, her focus turned to writing and leadership of the NC Songwriters Co-op. Taylor connects with her audience through common ground experiences.
Will Call tickets may be picked up at the box office beginning one hour prior to the concert.