Hello friends!

I have shows on deck this Summer in CA, MA, OK, VT, OH, TN, MI, MD and More!

This week, I am returning to beautiful California (shows in Novato on Thursday and Santa Monica on Sunday) for what will be my farewell performances with my beautiful Taylor guitar, Guinness.
I’ve been touring with this instrument for the last 15 years. Guinness was a custom-built guitar crafted by Taylor Guitars for a store in Oklahoma. Back around 2010, I was doing a show there and discovered the guitar hanging on the wall. I asked if I could play it during my performance, and that night, I fell in love with it. Our friend Karen Zundel recorded me playing it that very night—feel free to watch! It’s the first time I ever played a song on Guinness:

https://youtu.be/yeHUBsDbko4?si=9NtgE8eIcbi-97h-

It has been my travel companion, my writing partner, my cohort on stage, and my straight man. I strummed it as my kids danced across the kitchen floor, growing up before my eyes.

I have written nearly every song of my last 15 years on it. It’s survived two very difficult accidents—one with an airline and one with a sound system speaker that collapsed on it. The neck was even broken once. Thanks to the work of gifted luthiers, it has been cobbled together for 2,000-plus shows, live radio and streaming appearances, and studio sessions. And it’s never sounded better.

Now, it will be hanging in the Folk and Roots Music Hall of Fame in Boston. I will make visits to Guinness, encased inside museum glass, in the fall—and you can too. ❤️

I may eventually sell her, or she may hang on my wall when she returns to me. She still has lots of songs left in her.

Meanwhile, my friend and luthier, George Krakat, has built me a brand-new guitar. He used the same measurements as Guinness, the same cutaway, and the same look—but different wood.

On Friday, June 12, at the Bull Run in Shirley, MA, I will host the official exchange ceremony. Guinness will be retired, I will reveal the new instrument, and I'll play its very first song for those in attendance. Come watch the new Queen get crowned!

SHOWS, EVENTS, & OPPORTUNITIES

THE NEW ENGLAND SONGWRITERS RETREAT
As many of you know, I am the founder and host of a glorious gathering of creative souls in Chester, CT. I have gathered a gifted set of instructors to bestow a world of knowledge on our upcoming artists, including Dan Bern, Garrison Starr, Seth Glier, Laurie MacAllister, and James Keelaghan—and me! It’s a star-studded group of teachers and a wonderful chance to meet like-minded people while taking a deep dive into the craft of songwriting.
There are two sessions to choose from: August 28 – September 1 and September 4 – 8.
Here’s the site and a video of what the experience is like!
The New England Songwriters Retreat
https://www.newenglandsongwritersretreat.com/

VACATION TOURS
The trip to Ireland in August 2027 has been posted! Scroll down to my trip and leave an inquiry:
Schedules - Inishfree Irish Music Tours

https://www.inishfreetours.com/schedule/2020/

Our Ireland trip this fall as well as the Croatia trips in 2027 are completely sold out. Jump on the 2027 Ireland trip early—it will sell out fast!

CUSTOM SONGS
Yes, I do write and record custom songs for families, partners, marriages, businesses, departed souls, events, bake-offs, alma maters, commercials, and more! We will sit and talk about your subject over Zoom, and then I will write and record it just for you.
Here's the link for more information:

https://www.ellispaul.com/product/f/Mentoring_and_Private_Shows/8352/

PATREON
This site has saved my life through the pandemic and beyond. Currently, I am releasing chapters, drawings, and songs from my upcoming novel-in-progress right there on the site. Patreon provides crucial income whenever an artist is met with challenging times.
Like now!

CDs are over. Hotels are expensive. Gas prices are through the roof. I drive 60,000 miles a year for my shows. Thank you so much for supporting me on this platform.

Become a Patreon member here: www.patreon.com/ellispaul

PRIVATE SHOWS / PRIVATE COACHING / HANDWRITTEN LYRICS
Want to sit over Zoom and run through songs, talk about creativity, or host a private show online or in your home? How about a custom piece of art featuring your favorite lyrics? Let's set it up! Contact me at:
ellispaul7@gmail.com

SHOWS! SHOWS! SHOWS!  (See ellispaul.com/calendar for details and ticket info.)

MAY
May 21 – Novato, CA – HopMonk Tavern
May 24 – Santa Monica, CA – McCabe’s Guitar Shop

JUNE
June 12 – Shirley, MA – Bull Run Restaurant (Guinness Retirement & Exchange Ceremony!)
June 13 – Exeter, NH – The Word Barn
June 14 – Waterbury Center, VT – Zenbarn
June 18 – Nashville, TN – The Bluebird Cafe
June 19 – Columbus, OH – Natalie’s
June 20 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark

JULY
July 8–10 – Okemah, OK – Woody Guthrie Folk Festival
July 11 – Guthrie, OK – Magnolia Moon
July 18 – Towson, MD – The Recher (Benefit for Terry Irons)
July 24 – Black Mountain, NC – White Horse Black Mountain
July 26–31 – Swannanoa, NC – The Swannanoa Gathering

AUGUST
Aug 7 – Lincoln, MA – deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
Aug 9 – North Adams, MA – The Railway Concert Series
Aug 14 — Ogunquit, ME — Jonathan’s
Aug 16 – Maynard, MA – The Sanctuary
Aug 23 — Durham, NC— Private Show
THE NEW ENGLAND SONGWRITERS RETREAT!!
Two sessions this year in Chester, CT:
Session 1: Aug 28 – Sep 1
Session 2: Sep 4 – Sep 8