“Local songwriter and radio host Scott Regan was looking through fellow songwriter Jeff Riales’ notebook when he was delighted to find “Don’t Go Drinking on an Empty Heart” scrawled across the top of the page. Word of this magical title spread through the ROC music community, and over the next several years, more than 25 songwriters wrote a song by that title.

My husband Jones and I always thought an entire show of songs with the same title would be fascinating and fun, so in 2015 we dove in and had our first show at Bernunzio’s Uptown Music. It was inspiring to perform surrounded by Julie and John’s beautiful vintage instruments.

We had so much fun that first year, we decided to keep going. The concept has proven to be quite popular, and eventually we outgrew our beloved Bernunzio’s, and moved the show to the historic Hochstein Performance Hall. When Jones and I relocated to Spain in 2020, we passed the show into the capable hands of Sarah De Valliére, Steve Piper, and Kelly Izzo Shapiro. We are delighted that the tradition will continue, and interested to see the new and exciting directions they take it!

What I love most about this show is that it is a catalyst for the creation of art. Music is written based on our titles that would not have existed without the prompt. And the spectacular diversity of the songs that are created is a testament to the smart, creative, talented musicians of Rochester, NY.

Now go get writing!”

– Sarah Long Hendershot – Founder