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Sandpoint Songfest to take the stage in September

by RACHEL SUN
Staff Writer | May 11, 2021 1:00 AM

Sandpoint is squaring up to host not one, but two music festivals this year.

On a warm Thursday evening in Sandpoint, musicians Thom Shepherd, Coley McCabe, Ben Vogal and Ben Olson took the stage at the Longshot Cafe to play music for a crowd of eager listeners.

The four sang a mix of original songs and covers, including “I Am A Woman” performed by McCabe, and two of Shepherd’s hit songs, “Riding with Private Malone” and “Redneck Yacht Club,” which Shepperd co-wrote with Steve Williams.

The performance was a preview for what is yet to come — the Sandpoint Songfest, which will feature songwriters from near and far this September.

Unlike other festivals, Sandpoint Songfest will be a songwriters’ show, said Shepherd, an organizer and 20-year music veteran.

The Songfest is meant to be a true listening event — a chance for the audience to really pay attention to the story as much as the sound, inspired by “listening rooms” such as the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Shepherd said.

“If you’re talking, they will shush you,” he said. “And if you continue to talk, you’ll be asked to leave.”

The event will benefit the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, and is scheduled for Sept. 16-18, he said. Tickets will go on sale June 1.

Shepherd, along with his wife McCabe, moved to the area a few years ago after living in Nashville, Tenn., for years. The two had performed at similar events in the past, he said, and thought it was something the Sandpoint community would appreciate.

Throughout his career, Shepherd has written over 100 songs recorded by various artists, he said, with five number one songs.

McCabe, a Trop Rock Music Association female vocalist of the year, co-wrote the top 5 platinum-selling SheDaisy song “Lucky 4 U,” as well as “Grow Young With You,” which was featured on the film “Where The Heart Is.”

Both will be performing at the festival, Shepherd said, along with Vogal and Olson.

The two also plan to bring in outside talent, including Nashville artists Steve Azar, who wrote “I Don’t Have To Be Me (‘Till Monday)” and singer-songwriter Leslie Satcher, who wrote songs including “Troubadour,” and has written for artists including George Strait and Martina McBride in addition to recording two of her own albums.

Other artists will still be announced, Shepherd said, and the group organizing the event is still working to determine the ticket cost.

All net profit will be donated to the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, he said. Currently, Sandpoint Songfest is looking for sponsors to help cover artist fees and travel.

Shepherd previously hosted a songwriting clinic with the music conservatory, he said, and plans to do another this summer. His own music career took the path it did thanks to encouragement from another musician, he said.

After graduating college, Shepherd had planned to get a “normal” job and make music as a hobby. A musician he was working with suggested he get that job in Nashville, where he would have better access to pursue his music interests.

He took a visit to Nashville, and decided he liked it. Without knowing anyone he moved there, and continued writing songs.

“It took me eight years to get to my first number one song,” he said. “That one song turned into five number ones and 100 songs recorded by other people … maybe somebody that takes a class at the music conservatory will go and do even better than I did”

Sept. 18 will be hosted at the Longshot, Shepherd said, with locations for other days to be determined. More updates will be posted on sandpointsongfest.com and the Sandpoint Songfest Facebook page.

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