If there’s one thing that Sean Dietrich is known for, it’s storytelling.
Also known as “Sean of the South,” Dietrich has written 18 books and more than 4,000 weekly columns that have appeared in newspapers across the country. But his passion for stories also extends into music, catching the eye of The Barn concert venue owners Steve and Kay Ellis.
Now, Dietrich is set to perform in the city June 13 at the Lyceum at Lee, with The Dispatch holding a drawing May 16 where readers can win tickets to the concert.
“I’m truly honored and so excited to play in Columbus, Mississippi,” Dietrich said in a text message shared with The Dispatch by his manager. “There’s something special about connecting with people through music, and I can’t wait to share that with this beautiful community.”
Doors will open for the concert at 6 p.m. and the performance will start at 7.
While Dietrich is currently trekking across Europe on the Camino de Santiago and writing throughout the journey, his manager, Laura Beth Peters, said he is looking forward to the performance, which will highlight both of his talents.
“Sean is a storyteller, which most people know him as a storyteller and an author, but he’s also a multi-instrumentalist,” Peters said. “So he’ll be bringing the fiddle, the guitar, the banjo, probably the accordion if it’s feeling like a spicy kind of night. So you’ll be hearing various songs, very familiar songs, sing-a-long songs, and just some great stories from life in the American South, similar to the column he writes daily.”
Steve Ellis said he has never personally seen Dietrich perform live. However, a few friends approached him on different occasions, asking if he’d ever watched “Sean of the South” perform. Once Steve found Dietrich online, his hybrid performance style made Steve want to invite him to the city.
“This guy is a terrific musician as well, and I think plays just about any stringed instrument,” Steve said. “He’s also going to play the piano that night. Just a great combination. He’s humorous, he’s a storyteller … and a musician.”
“I think it’ll just be a totally different kind of night of entertainment here in Columbus,” he added.
Steve said he is hoping to sell 400 tickets total for the concert, with half of those tickets already sold. By bringing Dietrich to the Lyceum at Lee, Steve said, he hopes to bring more of the storyteller’s Mississippi fans out to see him, since Dietrich doesn’t come to the state often.
Peters said the event will include Dietrich’s performance, followed by a meet and greet and book signing, including some of his recent self published work like “Tomato sandwiches are eaten over the kitchen sink.”
“He loves concluding every performance with a meet and greet that’s open to any and all attendees to the show,” Peters said. “So he will stand and hug necks, sign books and take photos for as long of a line as the night holds.”
Steve said refreshments will also be available throughout the event, with donation jars available. Tickets are $40 each and are available at barnconcertseries.com.
“Thank you for welcoming me – it means the world, and I’m looking forward to a night you all will soon forget,” Dietrich joked in his message.
The Dispatch has periodically run Dietrich’s column, “Sean of the South,” on the Opinion page for years. Dispatch readers can enter their names for a chance to win up to two tickets to see Dietrich’s Columbus concert. To enter, simply visit cdispatch.com/sean or call (662) 328-2424. The drawing will be held May 16. No purchase is necessary.
HOW TO GO
■ WHAT: Sean Dietrich storytelling and concert
■ WHEN: June 13 at 7 p.m.
■ WHERE: Lyceum at Lee
■ HOW: Tickets at barnconcertseries.com
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
