South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) announces the premiere of Solbird Sessions, a new six-episode music and mental health series debuting Aug. 27 at 9 p.m. on ETV with a re-airing on the South Carolina Channel on Aug. 31 at 10 p.m.
Created, hosted and produced by Columbia artist TiffanyJ, Solbird Sessions blends live musical performances with guided mental health conversations that explore the connection between creativity and emotional wellbeing. A singer-songwriter, author, creative entrepreneur and longtime wellness advocate, TiffanyJ has dedicated much of her career to encouraging self-expression, confidence and healing through music. Her work includes founding the Beauty, You Are Boot Camp self-esteem movement, creating Super Beauty and the Buddies, Not Bullies initiative, and serving as a spokesperson for the SCETV Safe Space mental health awareness campaign. Building on those efforts, Solbird Sessions brings together musicians, artists and mental health professionals to examine themes of resilience, healing and self-expression through music, storytelling and reflective dialogue.
Filmed before a live studio audience, each episode pairs intimate musical performances with candid conversations inspired by the artists' personal experiences and the stories behind their songs. Together, the performances, guided discussions and wellness-focused the segments explore how music can foster reflection, connection and emotional wellbeing while encouraging meaningful conversations that extend beyond the stage.
Season one explores a range of emotional experiences through six episodes:
• Episode 1 – The War Within: Anxiety takes center stage as the connection between mind and body is explored through music and therapeutic insight, featuring Buggy.
• Episode 2 – Unmute: Creative self-expression and reclaiming one's voice are explored through music, featuring Kayla Joy.
• Episode 3 – Together Should Be Better: Conversations about relationships, boundaries and belonging unfold through music, featuring Jon Rooks.
• Episode 4 – Light After Death: Grief and the emergence of hope are honored through reflection and music, featuring Darby Wilcox.
• Episode 5 – The Artist Ring: South Carolina artists unite around a piano for intimate performances and conversations exploring healing, identity, resilience and hope.
• Episode 6 – Baggage Claim: Stress, resilience and the art of letting go are explored through music, featuring Columbia native Trent Cokley.
Professional mental health expertise is woven throughout the series. Pre-recorded segments featuring Alison Hughey of Carolina Music Therapy, a board-certified music therapist, educate viewers about music therapy, an evidence-based clinical practice that uses structured musical experiences to support emotional, cognitive and social wellbeing. Through these educational segments, Hughey share insight into how music therapists may use music to help individuals process emotions, reduce stress and build healthy coping skills, while illustrating the powerful role music can play in overall wellness. Complementing those segments, licensed mental health counselor Chris Greene joins TiffanyJ and the featured artists during the in-studio conversations, helping unpack the emotional themes introduced through the music and connecting those personal stories to broader discussions about mental health and resilience with the live audience.
In addition to TiffanyJ's role as creator, host and producer, the series is co-produced by Marquis D. Wallace of The Wallace Media Company. SCETV's Ricky Taylor serves as executive producer. The production also features musical contributions from Antonio McKie II and J. Rich Williams, with live performances accompanied by house band Rod Foster & Company under the musical direction of Rodney Foster Jr.
Solbird Sessions is produced by Solbird Entertainment in partnership with The Wallace Media Company. Production funding is provided by the ETV Endowment of South Carolina, Eugene and Jacqueline Burden, and Jeffries Law Firm.
New episodes will premiere on Thursdays at 9 p.m. on ETV beginning Aug. 27. Full episodes will also be available on the SCETV website, the SCETV and PBS apps.
QUOTES
“At SCETV, we believe educational programs have the power to spark meaningful conversations that strengthen communities. Through the universal language of music, Solbird Sessions creates space for honest conversations about mental health while highlighting South Carolina's extraordinary artistic talent. We are proud to partner on a series that encourages connection, understanding and hope.” –SCETV President and CEO Adrienne Fairwell
"Solbird Sessions was born from my own journey of discovering how music can create space for healing, honesty and hope. My desire is that each episode reminds viewers they are not alone and inspires them to embrace both their creativity and their mental wellness. It has been an incredible honor to partner with SCETV to bring these important conversations to audiences across South Carolina and beyond.” –Solbird Sessions Creator, Producer and Host TiffanyJ
FAST FACTS
- SCETV premieres Solbird Sessions, a new six-episode music and mental health series, Aug. 27 at 9 p.m. on ETV with a re-airing on Aug. 31 at 10 p.m. on the South Carolina Channel.
- Created, hosted and produced by Columbia artist TiffanyJ, Solbird Sessions blends live musical performances with guided mental health conversations exploring creativity, resilience and healing.
- Each episode features South Carolina artists alongside licensed mental health professionals, highlighting the connection between music and emotional wellbeing.
- Solbird Sessions is produced by Solbird Entertainment in partnership with The Wallace Media Company, with production funding provided by the ETV Endowment of South Carolina, Eugene and Jacqueline Burden, and Jeffries Law Firm.
About South Carolina ETV and Public Radio
South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) is the state's public educational broadcasting network. SCETV amplifies South Carolina voices, provides educational experiences and strengthens communities, while working toward creating a stronger, more connected and informed South Carolina. In addition to airing local programs, such as The Know Show, Making It Grow, and This Week in South Carolina, SCETV also presents multiple programs to regional and national audiences, including Books By The River, After Action, Kitchen Curious with Vivian Howard, Reel South and Southern Songwriters with Patrick Davis.
Media Contact
Landon Masters
media@scetv.org
(803) 737-3337
SCETV premieres new music and mental health series Solbird Sessions (PDF)
