Musicians flock to The Song School at Planet Bluegrass before Folks Fest

By Isa Jones

LYONS — Nationally known singer/songwriter Mary Gauthier is standing up, under a tent Tuesday afternoon at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, talking to about 10 musicians who are all sitting, listening closely, guitars and cases strewn about the damp grass around them.

“This is why we write,” said Gauthier, who has written songs recorded by Jimmy Buffet, Tim McGraw and Blake Shelton. “To save our lives, save ourselves … We’re being asked to say it for so many people who can’t … we’re wounded healers.”

Her talk, and session, is part of The Song School, a songwriting clinic for musicians of all abilities and backgrounds that takes place the week before the giant Folks Festival, which will be at Planet Bluegrass this weekend.

This year there are 180 students and 30 instructors attending The Song School, which runs through Thursday, Aug. 13. All are spread across various tents named after animals (such as turtle, mountain lion, frog) giving lessons and workshops that range from everything like touring logistics to fine-tuning lyrical inflections.

“This is one of the few places that covers everything from recording, to how to tour Europe, to very raw, fine ‘what do you want to say?’ stuff,” said Brian Eyster, marketing director at Planet Bluegrass.

Eyster said they accept all ages, and there’s both high school kids and retired individuals that attend every year. People who have never written a song before and those who make their living playing and writing are represented.

This is the 22nd year the week-long workshop has taken place. The first year was just a one day affair, but through word of mouth it has grown considerably.

“This is the first year it’s sold out,” Eyster said. “The last five years it’s been close to full.”

The founder of the songwriting program at Berklee College of Music is somewhere on the vast, neatly groomed lawn next to the creek, as are musicians who will play the festival this weekend, all working with fellow songwriters.

Will Pfrang, 19, is sitting alone, next to the creek as tubers pass, working on a song. This is his sixth year at the workshop — he first came when he was only 13 after searching for songwriting camps online.

“It’s a really divine place to come and write and practice,” Pfrang said. “It’s been a couple of months since I’ve written a new tune.”

Pfrang comes all the way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to work on his songwriting. He admits there are distractions during the week, like late night jam sessions with the fellow attendees, but otherwise it’s a good time to focus on his craft.

“If you can’t get inspired here, there’s something wrong with you,” Pfrang said.

Rebecca Folsom, an instructor, is so inspired by The Song School that she has been attending in some capacity for the past 18 years.

“The clan, the community keeps me coming back,” Folsom said. “It’s a beautiful place where the people are incredibly loving.”

Most of the students and instructors all camp on the campgrounds, leaving Thursday before all the Folks Fest attendees and campers arrive Friday. Planet Bluegrass is a quiet scene compared to what it will be this weekend. Crews mill about, moving various boxes, getting everything ready. But the vast lawn that will be filled with tarps, chairs and fans are mostly empty, except for eight or so small groups of musicians, and a few songwriters who are sitting alone, working on whatever passion project they wish.

Megan, Bihn, from Athens Ohio, is back for her second year. Instead of spending the afternoon in one of the various workshops, she’s alone by the creek, doodling in her notebook.

She said she returned this year to have a completely different experience from last year, which was focused on more career-based skills.

“Last time I focused on business classes,” Bihn said. “This time I’m focused on the creative process and connecting with other people.”

She said both years have been nothing but amazing.

“It’s great,” Bihn said. “It helped me with my creative process and how to be a songwriter out in the world.”

Isa Jones: 303-684-5274, jonesi@timescall.com or twitter.com/theisajones