By Anne Ward Ernst
This is the fourth year Patrick Davis is bringing his aspirational Songwriters in Paradise (SIP) festival to Healdsburg. A songwriter himself—“Somethin’ ’Bout a Boat” for Jimmy Buffet, among others—he recognized that the community of song lovers had an affinity that could only be met by regular social gatherings with the songwriters themselves.
SIP artists are cordial and comfortable hanging out with attendees. Since the first SIP in Cabo San Lucas in 2015, Davis has produced similar events in Napa (since 2017) as well as Healdsburg (2021), both of which naturally feature area wineries. (Later this year the appropriately named Bardstown, Kentucky, will host its first SIP, which will feature bourbon instead of wine.)
While the formula largely revolves around songwriters and intimate performances in local spaces, food and wine are also on the musical menu in Healdsburg and Napa. New to Healdsburg SIP this year is the Parish Cafe, which will provide the spread for the festival’s opening night at Robert Young Winery, on Wednesday, July 23.
Jambalaya Plus
Owners Gareth and Lynette Owens sat down with the Robert Young team to “craft pairings with each dish for those looking for a true food and wine experience,” Gareth said.
The Parish Cafe’s menu and Robert Young wine pairings include a shrimp remoulade salad and crispy okra paired with sauvignon blanc; gazpacho of tomato and cucumber with diced veggies paired with chardonnay; Cajun classic jambalaya with chicken and andouille sausage, Cajun spices and rice paired with cabernet sauvignon; and of course smoked brisket sliders on a sweet roll, with crunchy slaw and a tangy Southern barbecue glaze paired with malbec.
“We want to bring these bold flavors and authentic recipes to pair not just with the amazing wines from Robert Young, but the incredible music and stunning vistas at the winery,” Owens said. “These evenings are a true experience for all the senses. I have extensive background in the wine industry so any time we can do an event like this and bring food and wine together is a great day.”
The Owens family took over the Parish Cafe in 2021 from founder Rob Lippincott. “It was our favorite restaurant, and we wanted to make sure this unique and authentic restaurant was here for all in Sonoma County to continue to enjoy,” Owens said.
“Our goal at the Parish Cafe is to create an experience where our guests feel nurtured … our welcoming and friendly atmosphere, authentic cuisine, and a combination of true Louisiana and local ingredients,” he added. “Not only do we want you to eat well, but we aim to create a setting like you are at our home.”
Bluebird model
That philosophy fits with the ethos of founder Patrick Davis. SIP is similar to the Nashville Bluebird Cafe model of round-robin-style performance where singer-songwriters take turns explaining the story behind the song they are about to perform. Bluebird Cafe has a rule of no talking while the performers are on stage that Davis takes to heart as well—he has a little salty turn to his “shush” rule.
SIP artists are people who are cordial and comfortable hanging out with attendees. So trusted is Davis among his peers that when Shawn Mullins, whose 1998 single, “Lullaby,” hit No. 1 on the Adult Top 40, agreed to perform at April’s Napa SIP, Mullins said he didn’t know SIP’s premise, he was just willing to show up and perform.
Also similar to Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe is the limited size. SIP keeps seating between 100 to 150 attendees intentionally to keep the experience intimate. Davis has known many of the regular SIP guests for years and expands his SIP family each year.
The artists at Robert Young on July 23 include Patrick Davis himself, newcomer Radney Foster, plus fiddler Levi Lowrey, Ashley Campbell (daughter of Glen Campbell), Channing Wilson and Eric Paslay.
Other artists at Healdsburg SIP this year include David Ryan Harris, on stage since the 1980s when he served as frontman for the Atlanta rock group Follow for Now; Tim Nichols, who penned “Live Like You Were Dying” and is in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame; and James Slater, whose song “The High Cost of Living” was co-written by performer Jamey Johnson. Lauren Jenkins is among the talent taking the stage, and part of the SIP backbone (insofar as she is Davis’s wife).
SIP Healdsburg events continue through July 26. On July 24 it will be held at The Ranch at Calegari Vineyard on Eastside Road, followed by a Friday performance at Windsor’s Bricoleur Vineyards on July 25 and a Saturday night finale at Bacchus Landing. Seven SIP artists will perform that final night, with wines coming from the Bacchus Landing lessees and culinary bites from Kristine Gallagher of “A Savvy Kitchen.”
More information about the performers, food and wine, as well as purchasing passes for the Healdsburg event from July 22-26, can be found at SongwritersInParadise.com.
