"I'm a folk musician in that I'm writing about real life. It's...journalistic, writing what I see and what I know, the times we're in, and the things that people face today." To many the quintessential Boston songwriter, Ellis Paul writes finely chiseled, deeply human songs, full of passion and poignancy. His ever-expanding audience grew even more in recent years when millions heard his songs in the Farrelly Brothers' films Me, Myself and Irene and Shallow Hal (Peter Farrelly calls Ellis "a national treasure"). Raised in Maine, Ellis moved to Boston to attend college on an athletic scholarship, and ended up starting a songwriting career. The winner of no less than 12 Boston Music Awards, as well as the prestigious Kerrville (TX) New Folk Award, Ellis delivers his literate, urbanely romantic lyrics with a high, clear voice that strikes directly at the heart. Infused with hardball honesty and telling details, Ellis' most recent album is this year's The Speed of Trees(Rounder).