The debut of Songwriter's Alley

(a portion of this piece was published by Planet JH Weekly)Over the last decade, Jackson’s local music scene has gradually accumulated more songwriters and more bands performing original music. And for much of that time, there’s been a short supply of informal stages for either up-and-coming musicians or experienced songwriters to try new material, until now.Between 2007-2009, I produced and hosted Songwriter’s Alley as a local concert series and featured some of the most prolific songwriter talent in the region. Rather than a ticketed concert series featuring only established songwriters, Songwriter’s Alley has now transformed into a weekly Songwriter Open Mic/Jam Night aimed at bringing the local musician community together.Haydens Post will now be the home of Songwriters Alley, a weekly songwriter night and open mic every Wednesday. The format of Songwriter’s Alley will model typical sign-up-and-perform open stages, with the exception of three distinctions—original music will be supported and encouraged (though not mandatory), the venue is all ages, and an established local or regional songwriter will be featured each week by playing an extended, MTV Unplugged-type performance with the opportunity to tell stories behind the songs to a listening audience.The first featured songwriter will be Pat Chadwick, who just finished recording a batch of solo songs at the Teton Artlab. His band, The Flannel Attractions, earned recognition in September from Paste Magazine, which highlighted two Jackson Hole bands in naming “nine impressive musical discoveries” in Wyoming. The weeks that follow will feature many familiar faces from the local scene...The first two months of Songwriter’s Alley will feature established songwriters from local bands:Dec 17 - Pat Chadwick (of The Flannel Attractions)Jan 7 - Jack Tolan & Bobby Griffin (of Sneaky Pete & the Secret Weapons)Jan 14 - Seadar Rose (of Screen Door Porch)Jan 21 - Michael Batdorf (of One Ton Pig)Jan 28 - Wyatt Lowe (of Wyatt Lowe & the Mayhem Kings)Feb 4 - Peter "Chanman" Chandler (of Tram Jam/Chanman Roots Band)Feb 11 - Madelaine German (of Maddy and the Groove Spots)Feb 18 - Bo Elledge and Dusty Nichols (of Canyon Kids/Elk Attack)Feb 25 - Taylor Upton and Leif Routman (of Black Mother Jones)To further support and peak the interest of performers that sign up to play a fifteen-minute set, Haydens Post will offer one free drink and half off of food, while sponsor Melody Creek Guitars will donate an item each week (i.e. instrument tuner, strings) for a drawing at the end of each Songwriter’s Alley. Songwriter’s Alley Open Mic, 8 to 10:30 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Dec. 17 (no event Dec. 24 & 31) at Haydens Post in Snow King Resort. Featured set by Pat Chadwick. Sign up at 7:15 p.m. Free, all-ages. 732-9027.