All performers from last year will be returning to the stage this year!

Looking Glass Entertainment, LLC in association with SAFE, Inc announces the second annual Songsmith Gathering, an unforgettable evening of song on August 13, 2011 at the Porter Center for Performing Arts. The event features last year's dynamic songwriters Shannon Whitworth, Beth Wood, Nikki Talley and Julie Lee. Proceeds from the event will benefit SAFE, Inc, a non-profit agency offering programs and services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The combined resume’ of these four women is plainly impressive, all having featured appearances at festivals such as Mountain Song Festival, Merlefest, Kerrville Folk Festival, Lake Eden Arts Festival and many others.  They are also known for writing songs that have been recorded by Alison Krauss and Pam Tillis as well as tunes featured on popular TV shows.

Shannon Whitworth is no stranger to Brevard. Over the past several years she has garnered great respect from her musical peers as her impact in the world of Americana music has created lofty expectations by fans nationwide. As a founding member of the acclaimed acoustic quartet The Biscuit Burners, Shannon received national praise for her definitive songwriting and captivating voice.   Featured at Brevard’s Mountain Song Festival last year, Shannon is having a big year this year with the release of her album "Water Bound".  

Beth Wood is a veteran songwriter with multiple awards from Kerrville to Telluride and many others. The Washington Post says, “Beth Wood is a musical triple-threat - a thoughtful songwriter and talented multi-instrumentalist with a supple, soulful voice. She has had a few breaks - her debut album, ‘Woodwork’ had a song ‘Geometry’ featured on Fox television’s popular series, ‘Party of Five’ and her album ’Late Night Radio’ was met with great reviews around the same time she was voted Campus Activities Club’s Performer of the Year for her relentless schedule of dynamic college performances.” With her eighth record, "The Weather Inside", her talent continues to shine, weaving stories into song.

 Nikki Talley is known for her powerful voice and last year's winner of “Carolina Star”, a contest seeking the best musical talent in Western NC.  There are many songwriters with powerful voices but few that display the control and sensitivity that Nikki possesses.  Her record “Beautiful Charmer” was #23 on WNCW'S Top Releases of 2010 and she was a featured artist in the olde-time documentary film 'Why Olde Time?'

Just when you think you can label Julie Lee into one category or genre, you hear something different.  Julie is a collage, a real scrapbook of various traditional American styles.  In her songwriting, as well as her work as a visual artist, she takes bits and pieces from each of her myriad influences to make something of her own that is both old and new.  Lee has lived in Nashville, TN for 14 years and travelled and performed extensively across the US and Europe.   She has had her songs recorded by Country, Bluegrass, and Contemporary Folk artists, most notably and recently by Alison Krauss, who has recorded Julie's songs “Jacob's Dream” and “Away Down The River." 

SongSmith Gathering: the concept

Agency mission: SAFE is committed to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

  During the last fiscal year, the agency has provided emergency shelter provisions to 44 women in crisis, as well as the innocent victims, their 25 children. This year, we're already at 47 women and 42 children.

SAFE provides programs and services that go beyond the emergency of the moment of violence including court and hospital advocacy, 24 hour hotline, an independent life skills program, a community wide rape prevention effort, outreach and education, case management and a children’s program.

The purpose of the Songsmith Gathering, a Looking Glass Entertainment production, is two-fold. The first is to create an amazing night of song. The second is to generate funds to help finance SAFE’s ongoing work. Great music for a noteworthy cause

Be a part of the unforgettable event! For more information, call Kimberley Austin at 885-7233 or e-mail at safead@live.com.