Pioneer Valley Folklore Society Happenings

Paul Sprawl will join October 3 Song & Story Swap

October 3 Song & Story Swap will feature Paul Sprawl

Please come share in an evening of music and stories at the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society Song & Story Swap.

Saturday, October 3, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at First Church, 165 Main St., Amherst, MA. Free parking is available in back of the church, and the meeting room is near the front.

Guest performer for the October 3 Song & Story Swap will be rootsy Americana singer-songwriter Paul Sprawl.

Originally from Southern California and semi-nomadic since 1997, Paul Sprawl quit his day job to embark on a full-time music career, bringing his live voice and acoustic guitar performances directly to audiences across North America and Western Europe.

His music blends rootsy Americana with country blues, backed by an extensive discography of full-length recordings—including his album Blue Suitcase, produced by Lee Townsend (Bill Frisell, Loudon Wainwright III, Joe Henry), as well as Dark Night Sky, which grew out of an eight-year off-grid artist residency near Big Bend National Park in the Chihuahuan Desert.

Townsend has hailed Sprawl as "a fine songwriter and very original guitarist whose music reflects his colorful experiences," while two-time Grammy winner Howard Levy called him "the most amazing guitar player I have seen in 8 years" and songwriter David Wilcox praised his unique playing style as "stuff that he does that nobody else does."

October 3 promises to be a standout evening of music and stories. Don't miss it!

Learn more about Paul Sprawl at paulsprawl.com and paulsprawl.bandcamp.com.

Attendees will be invited to contribute a song or story on the topic of "Imagination" during an opening round of sharing.

This month’s theme is Imagination This month's
theme is 'Imagination'

The October 3, 2026 Song & Story Swap will be held at First Church, 165 Main St. in Amherst, Mass., at 7pm. Parking is available in the lot behind the church.

The Song & Story Swap is held on the first Saturday of each month, excepting July and August, and is organized by the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society. Visit the Folklore Society website at pvfs.us.

The Song & Story Swap is open to members of the public of all ages. Admission is free, with a suggested minimum donation to the artist of $10.00.

People of all experience levels gather to share stories and songs that are traditional, newly written, or of personal experiences. You can tell, sing, or lead everyone in singing, or request a song or story. Listeners are welcome.

For information contact Paul Kaplan, (413) 687-5002 or visit https://pvfs.us.