Lydia Hutchinson, Performing Songwriter Founder
“We look forward to reading every issue of Performing Songwriter for its inspiring articles which reflect the views of its insightful and dynamic founder and editor, Lydia Hutchinson.”
Alan & Marilyn Bergman
Lydia Hutchinson founded Performing Songwriter Magazine in May of 1993, with no business plan, funding, employees or knowledge of how to start and publish a magazine. What she did have, however, was an annoyingly hard-headed nature and a deep love of music and for those who create it. In other words, she basically bumbled her way onto a 16-year magic carpet ride while hanging on to a wing and a prayer. And boy, the journey was epic.
Launched out of the guest bedroom of her Nashville condo, the pages of Performing Songwriter quickly became a meeting place for the songwriting community where folks could discover new music and keep in touch with each other before there was the Internet. Or social media. Or blogs. It was personal, covered all genres of music, celebrated creativity, and had a mission to support independent artists.
During that time Lydia interviewed dozens of artists including James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Randy Newman, Shawn Colvin, Janis Ian, Vince Gill, Dan Fogelberg, Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachlan, Diana Krall, Erykah Badu, Chaka Khan, John Prine, Brian McKnight, Ani DiFranco, Earth Wind & Fire (Maurice White, Verdine White and Philip Bailey), Lyle Lovett, Marc Cohn, Bruce Hornsby, and so many others.
Then in 2009, while things were still good, Lydia decided to fold the magazine to make room for whatever the next chapter of her life was going to be. After traveling, building websites, publishing a book of essays, overseeing projects for Leadership Music, and being open to possibilities as they made themselves apparent, she founded Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops in 2014.
Now, after 12 years and producing over 130 workshops, these small gatherings have become life-changing events that are designed to inspire creativity and provide an intimate setting for people to be mentored by highly respected and influential songwriters who are also extraordinary teachers. The award-winning artists on faculty are Mary Gauthier, Gretchen Peters, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Verlon Thompson, Suzy Bogguss, Matt Rollings, Emily Saliers and Jonatha Brooke who teach everything from songwriting to singing, recording to performing. The 3-day workshops are held throughout the year in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as weeklong creative retreats each year to Italy, Mexico and Scotland.
Lydia is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is a graduate of LSU in Journalism and Advertising. She has lived in Nashville, Tennessee for 40 years (with a 4-year stint in Colorado). She is a member of The Recording Academy, NAMM, served on the Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Board of Governors, was president of the international Music Magazine Publishers Association, and is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Music.
“I have been working with Lydia Hutchinson’s Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops for over 10 years now, presenting classes around the world. Lydia is a master organizer, a doctor of hospitality, and a great joy to work with. She makes each participant feel seen, heard, and important. She knows how to keep trains on their tracks, and passengers in their seats, all the while spinning plates in both hands and smiling throughout the journey. She is a brilliant point person, and has a keen sense of the big picture. I feel grateful to have the opportunity to work with her, she’s the very best at what she does. She runs the workshops the way she ran her Performing Songwriter magazine, with vision, focus, and integrity.”
Mary Gauthier
“With these workshops, Lydia has created a one-of-a-kind destination for people who are serious about creativity, and open to the give and take that can happen in a supportive and safe environment. She is intuitive about her students’ needs, and every single detail that might make a difference. She is a true partner, helping to create a coherent plan and taking care of the logistics and minutiae so I can focus on teaching. Best of all, I’ve gotten reacquainted with my own process by sharing it with others. It truly is a magical experience to witness the songs and stories and souls unfold.”
Jonatha Brooke
“Working with Lydia on the Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops has been fantastic. She is so creative and focused. Her comprehensive management of all the endless details involved in presenting a great workshop allows me to bring 100% of my energy into the teaching. She also has a real gift with cultivating community among those who’ve attended her workshops. I still check in with the groups I’ve taught months later. She makes the whole experience of teaching very relaxed and centered. I know she’s got everything covered!”
Beth Nielsen Chapman
Performing Songwriter Magazine
Find out more about the Performing Songwriter magazine which published from 1993-2009.
2026 Workshops
Check out this year's schedule of songwriting, performance, vocal, and studio workshops and retreats with teachers Mary Gauthier, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Jonatha Brooke, Matt Rollings, Gretchen Peters, Verlon Thompson, Emily Saliers and Suzy Bogguss.