Transformational Songwriting after a Disaster - Louisa Branscomb - IBMA Scholarly Sessions 2026

Louisa Branscomb - Transformational Songwriting as a Community Intervention Following Natural Disaster - Considered iconic among songwriters in folk and bluegrass music, Dr. Louisa Branscomb has long been considered a pioneer in songwriting, performing, and mentoring others. She was the first woman to front a band while also writing the bands material and playing banjo, and went on to record 14 albums of original material, with numerous top charting songs by artists including Alison Krauss, John Denver, Claire Lynch, and Dale Ann Bradley. Her songwriter retreat, Lyric Mountain, has mentored some 700 songwriters over 36 years, providing feedback data on what songwriters find helpful, and how songwriting impacts the writer and listener. This work earned her the IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award in 2017. Dr. Branscomb also pursued a research path in clinical psychology, where she was one of the first to publish on spirituality, creativity and resilience following trauma, earning her the highest research awards from state and national organizations. She has joined music and psychology in her work using songwriting to help high risk individuals and communities, most recently, WNC youth affected by Hurricane Helene. This presentation was part of the Scholarly Sessions held at the International Bluegrass Music Association World of Bluegrass Conference in Chattanooga, TN on Friday, October 23, 2026. Organized by Annie Savage (JMU) and Lee Bidgood (ETSU), supported by the IBMA Foundation. Learn more here: https://bluegrassfoundation.org/scholarly-...