Songfest tickets on sale for September music series

Tickets are now on sale for the Sandpoint Songfest, happening Sept. 16-19.

Thom Shepherd, a musician who wrote songs including “Riding with Private Malone” and “Redneck Yacht Club,” is organizing and performing at the songwriter’s festival with his wife, singer-songwriter Coley McCabe, writer of the top 5 platinum-selling SheDaisy song “Lucky 4 U” and “Grow Young With You.”

The lineup will also include several local artists Ben Vogal and Ben Olson, as well as Nashville singer-songwriter Leslie Satcher, who’s written for artists including George Strait, Ariana Grande and Martina McBride.

Other artists on the lineup include Jim Collins, a songwriter with over 20 number-one hits, including songs recorded by artists including Kenny Chesney, and Jason Aldean, and Gretchen Wilson. Some of his songs include “The Good Stuff,” “Big Green Tractor” and “"I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today."

Songwriters Steve Azar, writer and performer of “I Don’t Have To Be Me (‘Till Monday),” will also be performing at the event.

Although the artists at the event are especially known for their songwriting prowess, all are outstanding performers, Shepherd said.

“Steve Azar has obviously had a record deal, he's an amazing performer,” Shepherd said. “Leslie Satcher is just amazing to see. Everybody's going to fall in love with her, I'm telling you. I've seen it. We had her play at our festival in Texas, and she had [the audience] in the palm of her hand.”

Proceeds for the event will go to benefit the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, which offers music lessons and youth music scholarships in the community. The group is still looking for sponsors to cover artist fees and travel expenses so a greater percentage of those proceeds can go to the conservatory, Shepherd said.

The event will be kicked off Thursday, Sept. 16 at The Idaho Club, Shepherd said. Tickets can be purchased at sandpointsongfest.com.