How Rivers, Streams and More Inspire Song | John Smith | TEDxUW La Crosse

Folk singer-songwriter John Smith, based in the Driftless Region of the Upper Mississippi River Valley, presents a TEDxUW La Crosse talk on how the local landscape shapes his songwriting. He will explore how rivers, streams, coulees and ridgetops have influenced his compositions and his approach to making music. Smith is noted for winning the Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition and the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest. The talk was given at an independently organized TEDx event.

• Landscape of the Driftless Region as a songwriting influence
• Rivers, streams, coulees and ridgetops in his compositions
• Background as a Kerrville New Folk and Great Lakes Songwriting Contest winner
• Presented at an independently organized TEDx event

John Smith is one of the Midwest's most respected folk singer-songwriters, celebrated for music that weaves poignant storytelling, memorable melodies, and a deep sense of place. Based in the Driftless Region, his songs are rooted in the landscapes and communities of the Upper Mississippi River Valley while resonating with audiences across the country. A prolific songwriter, Smith has earned national recognition as the winner of both the Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition and the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest. In his TEDx presentation, he will explore the Driftless landscape — how its rivers, streams, coulees and ridgetops have influenced his compositions and approach to music-making. John Smith is one of the Midwest's most respected folk singer-songwriters who weaves storytelling, melodies, and a deep sense of place. Based in the Driftless Region, his songs are rooted in the landscapes and communities of the Upper Mississippi River Valley while resonating with audiences across the country. Smith has earned national recognition as the winner of both the Kerriville New Folk Songwriting Competition and the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest. He also teaches songwriting at festivals nationwide and leads musical travel experiences in Ireland and on Idaho's Salmon River. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx