Songwriter Ashley Gatta recalls the visit to Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe. A group of high-profile singer-songwriters played live, performing their own songs and talking about them to the patrons.

“These were pretty big artists, because this was Nashville,” said Gatta, a 23-year-old graduate of the University of North Texas. “When I came back, I started talking to a friend of mine about it and how it would be great to do something like this in Denton.”

Gatta worked the grapevine, struck up a deal with the owners of the Hydrant Cafe and coined the upcoming Denton series “Song & Story.” The debut session is 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Hydrant Cafe, 208 W. Oak St. There’s no cover charge.

Gatta said the event isn’t exactly a gig, and it’s definitely not a workshop. It’s more of a songwriter’s session — a living room songwriter’s salon in a cafe — with a hint ofInside the Actor’s Studio, with the songwriters talking about everything from the inspiration for their songs to their craft.

“Obviously, the sessions are going to have that acoustic feel,” Gatta said. “One thing we’re going to do that we saw at the Bluebird Cafe is that when someone was singing his song, another guy across the way would pick along or play a solo. We’re going to do that, so that it’s more entertaining for the audience.”

Gatta will perform her blues- and gospel-infused songs on guitar. Southern California native Nicholas Altobelli will perform his folk music. His upcoming sophomore album, The Regulator, produced by Salim Nourallah, is due for release in the spring.

Self-taught pianist Matt Terrill — known as Big Round Spectacles — will join the circle.

“I learned how to play piano as a janitor at First Baptist Church of Lewisville,” Terrill said in an e-mail. “Oftentimes, when I was supposed to be working, I’d be plinking around on a piano, figuring out music. I still don’t know what I’m doing, but I can fake it well enough for most people to think that I’m good at piano.”

Big Round Spectacles played NX35 earlier this year, and has been a regular performer at the Hydrant.

Gatta said the forecast for the series is good.

“I think that the audience will take care of itself, because there’s a crowd at the Hydrant Cafe because people drink coffee. There are usually a lot of people there,” she said. “And having four different singer-songwriters, every one will probably bring some people out. Also, literally by word of mouth, I was able to book the first show, and I have people for other shows.

“For it to be a success, I’m going to say it has to be good.”

—Lucinda Breeding