Meet the Songwriters
Our Songwriters
At the heart of Stories to Song is a remarkable group of Ohio musicians who believe every life holds a story worth hearing. Each songwriter brought their own voice, perspective, and musical style to the project, while taking the time to listen closely to the residents they were paired with.
Through thoughtful conversations, shared memories, and creative collaboration, these artists transformed personal stories into original songs. The result is a collection of music that is deeply individual, emotionally honest, and connected by a shared celebration of memory, identity, and the lives that shape us.
Joey Viola
Stories to Song Producer | Singer-Songwriter | StorytellerJoey Viola is a songwriter, filmmaker, and creative entrepreneur based in Columbus, Ohio. As the owner of Spark Storytellers, Joey leads a creative studio dedicated to telling meaningful stories through film, music, and live experiences. His work blends documentary storytelling with original songwriting, often focusing on real people, resilience, and the moments that shape who we become.
As a songwriter and performer, Joey’s music leans into honest, narrative driven writing that feels both intimate and cinematic. Whether performing solo in his band Magnolia, he aims to create songs that feel lived in and relatable.
Across music, film, and creative direction, Joey’s work is rooted in the belief that stories have the power to build empathy, bring people together, and leave a lasting impact.
Chris Heidel
Chris Heidel is an Ohio-based songwriter, photographer, and pedal steel guitarist whose work blends sound, story, and atmosphere.
As a pedal steel player, Chris brings texture and emotion to Magnolia, Teeth Marks, and Gold Row, moving naturally between country, indie, and ambient soundscapes. His playing is rooted in restraint, using tone and phrasing to shape each song.
Chris is also a reflective songwriter and visual storyteller, drawing inspiration from travel, landscapes, and the quiet details of everyday life. Whether behind the camera, writing songs, or performing, his work reflects a deep appreciation for craft, collaboration, and the art of paying attention.
Singer-Songwriter
Chris Boisvert
Chris Boisvert is a musician and producer based in Columbus, Ohio. His music career began in his teens, hidden behind large set pieces while playing drums for musical theater productions around the country.
In his early twenties, Chris moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he spent four years picking up every new instrument he could get his hands on and learning the true craft of songwriting. After returning to Ohio, he spent much of the next decade touring throughout the continental United States with metal and rock bands, while always finding time to sneak away and write softer songs of his own.
Chris is now part of the Columbus-based indie duo Gold Row alongside his writing and producing partner, and fellow Stories to Song artist, Chris Heidel.
Instagram: @goldrowtheband
Singer-Songwriter
Angela Perley
Angela Perley makes music for road trips across the American heartland. Rooted in cosmic alt-country, roadhouse rock and roll, witchy-woman psychedelia, and amplified Americana, her music offers a vintage sound for the modern world.
After fronting Angela Perley and the Howlin’ Moons, the Columbus, Ohio songwriter launched a solo career with the acclaimed albums “4:30” and “Turn Me Loose,” followed by a string of singles including “LA Cowgirl,” “Pineview Inn,” and the sun-soaked “Mid-Day Hallelujah.”
Backed by her all-star band, Perley has shared stages with Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, Tyler Childers, CAAMP, Eilen Jewell, and more. She has earned praise for her vivid storytelling, timeless voice, and cinematic approach to American roots music.
Website: www.angelaperley.com
Instagram: @angelaperley
Facebook: facebook.com/angelaperley
Photos by Mal Landis.
Singer-Songwriter
Jeff Straw
Jeff Straw is a musician, songwriter, and sound engineer born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He fell in love with the Columbus music scene while studying music at Capital University and has called Columbus home ever since.
Jeff is currently one of the lead singers and songwriters of Straw & the Scarecrow. He is also the keyboardist for the local “clusterfolk” quartet The Devil Doves and the folk-rock band Shawn Price and the Residents.
When he is not performing onstage, Jeff can often be found working as a live sound engineer at Sweet Harmony Canal in Canal Winchester, Ohio.
Singer-Songwriter
Brandi Sparks
Ohio native singer-songwriter Brandi Sparks journeys through life’s mountaintop highs and darkest depths, sharing how she continues to rise through the love of a God who sees her as beautiful.
The angelic cry of her voice carries her folk songs and blue-eyed soul ballads, while its smooth power and raspy edge shine through her spiritual and roots-rock anthems. Her poetic wisdom compels, inspires, and encourages listeners to rise and find freedom from the storms within.
Brandi’s solo career began in 2015 with the birth of her son, Gavin. She felt a fire in her bones to share her life’s struggles with others through her love of music. During the writing and release of her 2018 album, “beYOUtiful Life,” her vision and passion were strengthened through the hardships and challenges she experienced along the way.
She is currently recording songs for her next record, “Still Beautiful,” and releasing singles throughout the process.
Website: brandisparks.com
Instagram: @brandisparksmusic
Singer-Songwriter 
Liz Fisher is a violinist, songwriter, performer, and recording artist based in Columbus, Ohio. She is the frontwoman of alternative rock band The Cordial Sins, who released their debut album, “Small Talk,” in April 2023.
Liz is also one half of the pop violin duo Devi&Liz and the recently formed indie-pop duo Testing Floor. She currently serves as Assistant Concertmaster for the Worthington Chamber Orchestra, performs regularly with the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, and teaches as a registered Suzuki violin instructor in Clintonville.
Liz has toured extensively, showcasing her musical abilities on stages ranging from the Ryman Auditorium to Red Rocks Amphitheatre. She also contributes her talents to projects including the annual Sgt. Peppercorn’s Beatles Marathon and the new-music ensemble Chamber Brews.
She has performed with the New Albany Symphony Orchestra, Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra, Carpe Diem String Quartet, Helen Sung, Andrea Bocelli, Dr. Mark Lomax, Michael Bublé, CAAMP, and many others.
Liz’s classical training provides a unique foundation for her musical delivery, songwriting, and arrangements, which she enjoys bringing to a wide range of musical projects and interdisciplinary collaborations. She is a regular recipient of artist grants from the Greater Columbus Arts Council and believes deeply that music and community thrive together when met with care, dedication, and intention
Singer-SongwriterLiz Fisher
Jamie Ravine
Jamie Ravine is an award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist, music community leader. In her years as a music artist, she has performed in music events, live radio shows, interviews on live streams, magazines and podcasts, featured on TV and released music both as a solo artist and as part of a synth pop project called “Chroma Cloud.”
Jamie also leads a monthly music community gathering called “Green Room Meet Up,” which has become a strong network for the music industry in Central Ohio. She is currently working on a solo 1960’s inspired concept album which includes Columbus’ top musicians.
Singer-Songwriter 
Dan Myers
Daniel Myers is a Columbus-based singer-songwriter whose music blends thoughtful storytelling with elements of folk, country, and Americana. His writing is personal and reflective, often exploring relationships, travel, uncertainty, healing, and the search for belonging.
His album Hell of a Year grew from songs written during a cross-country journey and features contributions from several familiar members of the Columbus music community. Through honest lyrics and grounded arrangements, Dan creates songs that invite listeners to find pieces of their own experiences within his
Singer-Songwriter
Mercedes Aviles
Mercedes Aviles is a violinist, singer songwriter, and producer based in Columbus, OH. She trained classically in violin starting at 8 years old, focusing heavily on baroque and romantic period pieces. Her first professional experience was in High School with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra to support Handel's Messiah. Once she began playing with local bands she shifted her interests to contemporary music studies, earning her Bachelors of Music in Contemporary Writing & Production from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. She began her music production career in Brooklyn, NY at the award winning studio, Antfood, where her work has been featured on major broadcast commercials. She has a unique perspective in audio, animation, and live action from a breadth of experience performing, coordinating, managing and producing projects. Mercedes' current role is the Marketing + Project Manager for the video production studio, Pixel Park.
Singer-Songwriter 
Phil Cogley
Philip Cogley is a prolific performer and songwriter based in Columbus. Since 2010, his one-man art-rock band The Saturday Giant has produced five releases (four EPs and one LP), collaborated with technology conferences such as TEDxColumbus and performing arts groups including Columbus-based Available Light Theatre, and given over 600 performances in 48 U.S. states. Cogley has performed and recorded with a wide variety of acts, including Minnows, The Whiles, Pinkertones, Mr. Fahrenheit & The Loverboys, and Sgt. Peppercorn’s Marathon. His newest project is Testing Floor, a collaboration with Liz Fisher of The Cordial Sins.
Singer-Songwriter