Ellis Paul with special guest Lisa Sanders

www.ellispaul.com

Ellis Paul doesn’t just write songs; he’s a guitar-carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous pieces of music that get under your skin and into your bloodstream. And much like the artists who have influenced him, everyone from Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon to the singer-songwriter who is undoubtedly his greatest inspiration, Woody Guthrie, Paul weaves deeply personal experiences with social issues and renders them as provocative works that are as timely as they are timeless. Born and raised in Maine, Paul attended Boston College on a track scholarship and in the evenings became a fixture on the city’s open mic circuit. After winning a Boston Acoustic Underground songwriter competition, he caught the ear of folk luminary Bill Morrissey, who produced his indie album Say Something in 1993. This led to a seven-album contract with Rounder Records and the 1994 album, Stories.

His songs have appeared in several blockbuster films (Me, Myself, and Irene; Shallow Hal, Hall Pass) and have been covered by award winning country artists (Sugarland, Kristian Bush, Jack Ingram). Through a steady succession of albums of his own – a remarkable 23 releases so far – and a constant touring presence around the world, Paul’s audience has grown into a loyal legion of fans. Along the way, he has picked up an impressive number of awards including the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Award, 15 Boston Music Awards, An Honorary Doctorate from the University of Maine, the 2019 International AcousticMusic Awards Artist of the Year and most recently his album, The Storyteller’s Suitcase, was named the 2019 NERFA Album of the Year.

His new album “55” touches on the necessity of gratitude in a difficult era of the pandemic and divided political stances on his own imprint, Rosella Records.

Lisa Sanders

Lisa Sanders and Brown Sugar are a dynamic soulful, heartful singing duo with a gift for crafting wonderful songs and masterful storytelling. Based in San Diego, they have been together touring and recording as a duo for two decades, with Lisa singing lead and playing guitar, and Karen “Brown Sugar” Hayes, who is a nurse by day and a beautiful singing duo partner lending her gift of sweet harmonies to song by night.

Lisa recently was inducted into the San Diego Music Hall Of Fame and is a multi-award winning, long-time respected singer-songwriter in the arts community, actively touring and recording. Lisa and Brown Sugar are members of The Black Opry Revue!

Lisa has nine album releases to her credit, with her tenth recording project the upcoming release, “Daughters Of The Rising Tide.” An eight-song album collection, co-written and produced by four-time Grammy-nominated JT Nero of the “Birds Of Chicago” with a special guest appearance by Allison Russell on three of the tracks. Recorded and mixed by Juno award-winning artist, producer, and multi-string instrumentalist Steve Dawson at the Hen House Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.

​Lisa has also just completed season two of the NBC / Peacock Series, “Babble Bop” which is produced in Toronto and New York City. Lisa is contributing original songs on the songwriting team for this outstanding children’s series and has just been asked back for season three!

Lisa Sanders and Brown Sugar are now touring the US and Canada performing at multiple shows and festivals, with The Black Opry as a duo, and Lisa Sanders solo.

Lisa Sanders and Brown Sugar have graced the stage with and opened for: Lucinda Williams, Steve Poltz, BB King, Al Green, Sheryl Crow, The Chicks, Allison Russell, and many more.

Lisa Sanders and Brown Sugar are sure to touch your heart and soul with their music, with their warm infectious humor, and with their gift for songwriting and the performing craft.

Host or Publisher The Collective