MICHAEL FARRIS SMITH is an award-winning writer whose novels have appeared on Best-of-the-Year lists with Esquire, NPR, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Oprah Magazine, Book Riot, and numerous other outlets. His books have also been highlighted in Indie Next, Barnes & Noble Discover, and Amazon Best of the Month selections. As a screenwriter, he scripted the feature-film adaptations of his novels Desperation Road and The Fighter, titled for the screen as Rumble Through the Dark. With his band MFS & The Smokes, Smith wrote and released the record Lostville, which was produced by Grammy nominee Jimbo Mathus of the beloved hot jazz band, Squirrel Nut Zippers. Smith’s latest novel is Lay Your Armor Down, and he lives in Oxford, Mississippi, with his wife and daughters.

And as we mentioned above, tonight’s first author, Michael Farris Smith, is also a musician who, with his band MICHAEL FARRIS SMITH & THE SMOKES, wrote and released the record Lostville, which was produced by Grammy nominee Jimbo Mathus of the beloved hot jazz band, Squirrel Nut Zippers. And according to Jimbo Mathus in Salvation South magazine, “It’s like Farris is taking all these different elements of his storytelling and combining them in a new way. The songs on Lostville feel like they could be soundtracks to his novels.” Oxford Magazine has this to say: “Lostville is about as good a musical extension of Smith’s written work as any fans might bargain for. The vibrant scenery of his excellent songs carry both a singular and communal spirit.” We're looking forward to his solo show tonight!

ERNEST THOMPSON is the Oscar-winning writer of On Golden Pond and 35 other plays and a dozen films, seven that he’s directed. His novels include The Book of Maps and the upcoming Out Clause. In addition to starring in two television series and appearing on Broadway and in numerous films, THOMPSON has written more than 250 songs, working with truly legendary talents including the luminous Samantha Farrell, with whom he has the honor of sharing the stage at this very cool event!

SAMANTHA FARRELL is a Boston-based musician and vocalist whose sound is a gorgeously moody fusion of jazz, alt R&B and pop. Once described as “the best singer-songwriter you’ve never heard of,” by NBC Los Angeles, Farrell has always been understated in her approach to her music career - but those who are in the know, have been quietly dazzled with her unique voice, rhythmic subtleties and tonal nuance for years.