42 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} Raised in a musical family in South Carolina, Patrick moved to Nashville in his early 20s, where “in the round” shows are embedded in the culture. At hundreds of small venues, including the legendary Bluebird Cafe, a handful of songwriters take the stage together to swap songs and tell stories. “In country and pop music, probably less than half of the songs are written by the actual performer who sings the song,” estimates Patrick. “This lends itself to really getting into the details of why a song was written—you actually hear the genesis of the idea.” Years later, after bringing along some songwriting pals to a show It’s just this side of midnight on a Wednesday in Napa Valley. Shadows flicker on the cozy front porch of St. Helena’s Harvest Inn, cast by twinkle lights and fire pit flames. “Because I’m in love with you, I want to see you dance again…” The lilting voice of singersongwriter Lauren Jenkins carries into the air, accompanied on guitar and vocals by her husband, singer-songwriter Patrick Davis. “Because I’m still in love with you on this Harvest Moon…” croons back Patrick, as guests relax into glasses of wine and sway to the Neil Young classic transformed into a spine-tingling serenade. ABOVE: SIP founder Patrick Davis accompanying his wife, singer-songwriter Lauren Jenkins, at a Harvest Inn late-night porch party. PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF EVERETT ZURAW The setting is Songwriters in Paradise—SIP, for short. And this after-hours gathering isn’t even the main attraction. Over the course of a long weekend, an immersive celebration of music, wine, food and friendship unfolds, anchored by intimate, private performances at acclaimed Napa wineries. Patrick, SIP’s founder and mastermind, has written songs for the likes of Jimmy Buffett, Darius Rucker, Jewel and Alabama, as well as performs with his own band, Patrick Davis and the Midnight Choir.
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