Sunday E-dition: Songwriters in Paradise returns to Napa

By Virginie Boone

Apr 14, 2024

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — The four-day music festival Songwriters in Paradise returns to the Napa Valley for the fifth time April 18 through 21, with various events happening throughout the region. An exclusive series of concerts, lunches and dinners held at Alpha Omega, Charles Krug, Silver Oak and Brasswood Cellars, Songwriters in Paradise, or SIP, was founded by South Carolina-born singer/songwriter Patrick Davis, who designed it for people who like the best of the best, whether that’s wine or music.

SIP also gives back to the communities in which it hosts its events. In 2022 and 2023, SIP Napa raised more than $100,000 through the auctioning of signed guitars, handwritten lyrics and more, with proceeds going to local organizations.

Davis is a Nashville-based musician who has written more than 70 songs recorded by the likes of Jimmy Buffett, Jewel, Morgan Wallen and Darius Rucker, as well as for his own recording career.

The idea for SIP came through a friendship Davis developed with vintner David Duncan of Silver Oak, whom he met about a decade ago through mutual connections. Whenever Duncan was in Nashville or Davis was in Napa, they’d get together to play guitar, write songs and drink wine.

“Bringing Songwriters in Paradise to Wine Country was really just building on a wine and music friendship that has already been around for many years,” Davis said.

SIP now takes place not only in Napa Valley but also in Sonoma County (Healdsburg July 24-27) and Mexico (Cabo TBD).

“We try to cultivate an experience that’s pretty extraordinary,” Davis said. “Napa and music coincide well. Both wine and music are celebratory and tell a story. We work years and years to perfect our music, and no one sees all the blood, sweat and tears behind it. Same with winemakers who work for years to make the perfect juice.”

Many of the performers coming to Napa are well-known and/or on the rise, many of them friends and collaborators of Davis, who is always looking to keep some of the same faces from previous SIPs but also up his game to get new draws.

This year he is excited about the addition of Marc Broussard, who is coming to Napa for the first time. A native of Louisiana, the R&B, rock and soul (described by many as Bayou Soul) artist released his first album at the age of 20. His father, Ted Broussard, played guitar in The Boogie Kings.

He’s also happy to have Georgia-bred country artist Channing Wilson on the bill. Wilson had a new album last year and has been touring with Steve Earle.

“He’s going to turn some heads,” Davis added. “It’s difficult to get these guys, our schedules are so crazy, but he agreed to come for a few days.”

Davis likes inviting his friends, people he has vetted for years who will be there for the enjoyment of the full experience — the food, the wine and the intimate settings.

“They’re not just really good performers, they’re really good hangs,” he said. “SIP is a nice slowdown for us when we get to do it.”

That includes Lauren Jenkins, a singer-songwriter named an “Artist to Watch” by The New York Times who also happens to be Davis’ wife. He describes her as the Americana Norah Jones.

Kristian Bush is half of the Grammy-winning group Sugarland and a songwriter and high-in-demand producer currently working with Megan Moroney. Eric Paslay is a Texan music singer and songwriter who has had a few massive hits, such as “Friday Night” by Lady Antebellum and “Wild Hearts” by Keith Urban, who, in Davis’ words, is “a beautiful voice and a beautiful human.”

Each evening’s events are limited to 150 attendees, ensuring an intimate and personal experience for both the artists and the attendees.

For those unable to make this year’s SIP, catch Patrick Davis’ new show on American Public Television, “Southern Songwriters With Patrick Davis,” debuting in May, a show he describes as “Anthony Bourdain” meets “Austin City Limits.”

Levity Corner

Caption contest. Pick your favorite caption or add your own in the comments below

Vote for your favorite in the poll below (there’s not enough room in the polls for the complete answers).

"So this is what they do when not making crop circles!"
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Last week’s winner

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"New definition of a 'boatload' of fun!" with 44% of the votes.

Last Week

In "Sunday E-dition: Joann Serafini supports Jameson Humane with core program," Virginie Boone detailed Joann Serafini's transition from a successful career to a vintner in St. Helena and her dedication to animal welfare. After establishing Shibumi Knoll Vineyards, Serafini, a dog lover, collaborated with Jameson Humane to create a program aiding pet owners with behavioral challenges, aiming to reduce shelter surrenders and promote responsible pet ownership. Her efforts reflect a deep commitment to animal compassion and welfare.

In "Chip: a paragon of courage," Lowell Young shares the inspiring story of Chip, a student with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, whose determination to join a Yosemite school trip exemplified extraordinary courage and insight. Despite his physical limitations, Chip's enthusiasm for life and learning transformed the trip for his classmates, offering a profound perspective on resilience and the value of embracing life's moments. His journey, marked by both challenges and triumphs, left an indelible impact on those around him, embodying the power of the human spirit.

In "Filmmakers bring Maui hero to St. Helena for premiere," Lisa Adams Walter highlighted the premiere of "Uncle Bully’s Surf Skool" by filmmakers Leah Warshawski and Todd Soliday at St. Helena's Cameo Cinema. The documentary featured Robert "Bully" Kotter, who offered free surf lessons to homeless children in Maui during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film, deeply connected to the Maui community and its resilience, particularly after Lahaina's wildfires, brought Kotter's inspiring story to the forefront, showcasing the power of community spirit.

Natasha Mantle recounted her visit to Puerto Vallarta in "A visit to Mexico revealed plants native to Puerto Vallarta," where she explored the region's diverse flora as a Master Gardener. Her journey included the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, notable for its wide array of plants including orchids, a pollinator alley, and a succulent collection. Mantle's experience highlighted the importance of plant conservation and respecting natural habitats, as she resisted bringing seeds back to California due to strict import laws. The trip enhanced her appreciation for various ecosystems and gardening cultures.

In "The growing wine lake," Dan Berger examined the trend of labeling lower-priced wines with well-known brand names, despite differences in their geographic origins. This practice, often involving blending wines from cheaper regions or even other countries, capitalizes on familiar labels while delivering a different product. The shift reflects a global wine surplus, leading to unharvested grapes and stagnant sales, particularly in California. Berger highlighted the challenges this poses for traditional wine-producing regions and small producers, as large companies adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer demand.

Evy Warshawski highlighted Mitchell Glotzer's journey in Napa Valley's music scene in "Capturing the beat: A photographer's journey through Napa Valley's music scene." Glotzer, a Napa-based photographer, specialized in capturing live performances and worked as the house photographer for Uptown Theatre and Blue Note Napa. Over 15 years, he snapped hundreds of images per concert and covered various music events like the BottleRock festival. His passion for photography, which began in his youth and developed under mentor Ron Zak, led to an exhibit of his favorite photos at the Napa County Library. Glotzer's work, encompassing musicians and the concert atmosphere, showcased his deep connection with the music scene.

Next Week

Next week, Napa Valley Features readers can look forward to Paulsen’s fresh perspective with "One morning on the mountain." Stoneberg will report on an historic women’s commission in the Napa Valley, and the Master Gardener series will continue to cultivate readers' knowledge of local gardening. Berger is set to examine intricacies in the wine marketplace, and the Weekender will present its regular guide to the Valley's happenings. Carl delves deep with "Under the Hood," focusing on the top tax generators in the region. Alongside these articles, expect even more information tailored for our audience.

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Virginie Boone has written about the Napa Valley for more than a decade. Follow her Instagram @virginieboone or visit virginieboone.com