CDL Song Fest returns for its ninth year on Friday, October 16, when Chelsea District Library (CDL) welcomes acclaimed singer-songwriter Chris Collingwood as the featured performer at the event at Robin Hills Farm.
Collingwood is best known as the lead vocalist and co-founder of the Grammy-nominated band Fountains of Wayne. As the voice behind beloved songs, including “A Dip in the Ocean,” “Troubled Times,” “Valley Winter Song,” “Amity Gardens,” “Red Dragon Tattoo,” and others, Collingwood helped define a generation of power pop music with sharp storytelling, memorable hooks, and heartfelt lyrics.
Collingwood’s career launched into stardom in 1995 as a lead vocalist and co-songwriter of Fountains of Wayne. In 2016, Collingwood released his first solo album, Look Park. The album earned praise from critics for its thoughtful songwriting, lush arrangements, and mature, introspective sound. American Songwriter wrote that the songs “grab your ears and hang on” and Magnet Magazine calls it “a 10-track stunner that’s perfect for late-summer listening.”
CDL Director Lori Coryell reflects on her passion for Song Fest and this year’s headliner: “At Collingwood’s core, he is a poet. His love of language is unmistakable, reflected in lyrics that are at once thoughtful, poignant, and deeply moving. One of my favorite traditions of CDL Song Fest is the unique lens that visiting artists provide into the art of songwriting as a vehicle for storytelling.”
WEMU’s John Bommarito, host of The Song Break on WEMU Radio, will interview Collingwood about his career, influences, and craft. Collingwood found music on a blue transistor radio at the age of five and described it as “magical.” Curiosity about the craft of songwriting stuck with him through college and adulthood.
In a 2013 New York Times op-ed, Collingwood noted, “Arthur C. Clarke no doubt had something incredibly nerdy in mind when he said ‘any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic,’ but what it implies for musicians is absolutely true. Behind every song’s immediate impact is a finite number of cogs and gears, and whatever skill you’re developing when you start to study the separate elements and patterns, it soon takes over.”
CDL Song Fest Schedule
All events take place Friday, Oct. 16 at Robin Hills Farm, 20390 M-52, Chelsea, and are open to all ages.
6:45–7:15 p.m. — Teen Showcase Opener
The winner of CDL’s Teen Showcase will kick off the evening.
7:30–8 p.m. — A Conversation with Chris Collingwood
John Bommarito from WEMU News interviews singer-songwriter Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne about his inspiration, career, influences, and craft.
8–9:30 p.m. — Chris Collingwood Live!
Chris Collingwood with special guest fiddler Gina Romantini perform before a live audience in this not-to-be-missed concert.
Learn More
CDL Song Fest is made possible by the generosity of the Friends of Chelsea District Library. All Song Fest events are open to the public and do not require a ticket or reservation. Seating will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Chelsea District Library (CDL) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to engage, inspire, and equip through evolving services and resources. CDL currently serves 16,126 residents in the Chelsea library district — City of Chelsea, Lyndon, and Sylvan Townships, and the portions of Lima and Dexter Townships within the Chelsea School District.
For more information visit chelseadistrictlibrary.org.
