Chris Stuart and Sore Fingers Week 2007

The outstanding songwriter, bandleader, lead singer, and guitarist Chris Stuart reports:

Sore Fingers [the premier bluegrass/old-time workshop week in Europe, held every spring in the UK] is a well-known and well-run music camp outside London and I'll be teaching the craft of writing songs in the bluegrass, roots, country, and Americana tradition, with emphasis on the structure and inspiration of traditional songs and how to write within a tradition but still be original and fresh. Throughout the week, students will listen to songs from a wide range of roots sources, play their songs for the class, partake in discussion, sing, play, and develop a sense of the joy and heartache that comes with songwriting. Other topics will include how to pitch your songs, the business side of songwriting, developing word play, melodic invention, and keeping a sense of humor throughout it all. It will be a busy and fun week!

The earlier you sign up the better, so if you or someone you know might be interested, please get in touch with the camp. More information about the music camp is at www.sorefingers.co.uk.

Thank you and hope to see you there!

Here's my bio:
-----
Chris Stuart is a bluegrass and roots songwriter and a touring and recording artist with his band Chris Stuart & Backcountry. He's had five of his songs appear on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart (including a current song, 'Julia Belle', by banjoist and bandmate Janet Beazley), won first place in the songwriting contest at the prestigious Chris Austin songwriting contest at MerleFest in bluegrass and gospel categories, been selected for IBMA songwriter showcase in 2004 and band showcase in 2005, and has toured with his band in the US, Canada, the UK, and the Middle East. Chris's songs have been recorded by Claire Lynch, Dale Ann Bradley, Larry Cordle, Suzanne Thomas, Sally Jones, and many other artists. He was nominated for Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year in 2005 by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America. Chris also writes feature articles for Bluegrass Unlimited magazine and was nominated for Print Media Person of the Year for the IBMA. He has taught bluegrass rhythm guitar and songwriting workshops at many camps including the California Bluegrass Association bluegrass camp, the Sorrento Bluegrass Workshop in Canada, and the American River Acoustic Music Camp. For more information see www.chrisstuart.com.

Please sign up soon at www.sorefingers.co.uk!

Quotes:

'For some outstanding songs, and a whole mess of soul, check this songwriter out.' - Third Coast Music, Austin, TX, December 2004

'The story-oriented songwriting is one of the band's greatest strengths.' - No Depression, June 2005

'This isn't citified, ersatz bluegrass. It's the real stuff.' - Maverick, UK, January 2005