1st Annual, 97 South Song Sessions Songwriters Festival Coming To B.C.'s Okanagan Valley

The two night event will feature performances by GRAMMY Award winner and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee Tim Nichols, Multi-Award winning, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, Bob DiPiero, GRAMMY Award nominee and CMA “Song of the Year” winner, Jimmy Yeary and 2017 CCMA Roots Artist of the Year nominee and 2017 CCMA Songwriter of the Year nominee, Jessica Mitchell. The songwriters will perform their hit songs acoustically, in-the-round and entertain with stories of how the songs came to be and anecdotes about their lives in music.

“After years of enjoying songwriter festivals throughout North America, I’m thrilled to be part of the 97 South team as we bring some of the world’s best song-writing talent to the Okanagan Valley's highly acclaimed wine region. The audience will experience a powerful performance in the style of a traditional acoustic guitar pull,” said Robin Ott, President of 97 South Holdings Inc. "It’s an experience that will be shared in conversation again and again. There’s simply no better pairing than great wine and great songs."

Bench 1775 Winery’s GM, Val Tait said “Bench 1775 is thrilled to be hosting the first ever 97 South Song Sessions night. This intimate performance is the perfect fit with our winery visitors and will surely be a landmark summer event in the Okanagan. Storytelling and music are very much a part of the culture at Bench 1775 and we look forward to sharing this experience with our Wine Club members and visitors.”

"This event is truly a one-of-kind experience. It’s a unique, fresh idea and unlike anything else you’ll find in the Okanagan Valley. With intimate access to renowned songwriters and performers, presented in our beautifully renovated East Ballroom, 97 South Song Sessions promises to be the most talked about event of the summer,” added David Prystay, General Manager, Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre. 

97 South Song Sessions is presented by 97 South Holdings Inc. which includes on its board, Robert Ott, Founder and former CEO of ole, one of the world’s largest independent music companies whose roster of artists includes Rush, Timbaland, Jordan Davis, Chris Janson and many others.

Tickets on sale now at www.97southsongsessions.com

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About Bench 1775 Winery

Found in the heart of wine country in beautiful British Columbia, Bench 1775 is located on the southern shore of Lake Okanagan. Named after the address of our winery, 1775 Naramata Road, along the beautiful Naramata Bench, Bench 1775 Winery is a celebration of land and place.

Wines from Bench 1775 are produced with the unique expression of fruit grown in the Okanagan Valley from three vineyard locations: Oxbow Vineyard, on the original Golden Mile in Osoyoos, South Okanagan, and at Paradise Ranch Vineyard and Soaring Eagle Vineyard in the Central Okanagan.

Click here to order great wine from Bench 1775 Winery.

About Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre

Located on the south shore of Okanagan Lake, the Resort includes 273 lake and mountain view guest rooms, each with their own balcony. Your dining experiences don’t fall short with the three on-site restaurants; the Hooded Merganser Bar & Grill, Barking Parrot Bar, and Bufflehead Cappuccino Bar. The Hotel’s very own Valley View Farm and on-site herb garden add local flavour to many of the dishes. Whether visiting for business or pleasure, all guests are warmly welcomed and encouraged to take advantage of the many more on-site amenities and attractions.

Click here for accommodations at Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre.