"I got a word machine in my head. It's a damn noisy contraption. Constantly running. No 'off' switch," says Ellis Paul. Ellis started writing songs while he was attending Boston College on a track scholarship and was laid up for several months with an injury. He's often called the quintessential New England songwriter, and he's got a baker's dozen of Boston Music Awards to prove it. Ellis's passionate, literate character sketches, delivered in a soaring, lyrical voice, have influenced a generation of folksters toward the shamelessly poetic. His recent shows have combined his own songs with "a collection of my favorite songs by others, Randy Newman, the Band, Dylan, Steve Goodman, et cetera," Ellis says. "I am trying to choose the songs and artists that influenced my work, that I think are essential songs for all songwriters to learn." He's also been touring recently with the hit country duo Sugarland, so maybe this Ark favorite is on the verge of a big breakthrough. Catch him while you can!