Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase
 |
| 2008 Folks Showcase finalists on stage |
|---|
The Songwriter Showcase is a nationally-recognized songwriter competition, open to anyone who writes and performs original music, and who is not currently signed to a major recording or publishing deal. Contestants are judged on the quality of the song’s composition, vocal delivery, and the overall performance. Past showcase finalists include Erica Wheeler, Don Conoscenti, Karen Pernick, Deb Talan, Dan Sheridan, Dee Carstensen, Mitch Barrett, Sarah Sample, 2008 winner Chuck E. Costa, and many others.
2009 Showcase Winner
Congratulations to 2009 Folks Songwriter Showcase winner Liz Longley. We'll share a few photos and more details soon...
2009 Showcase Finalists
We received more entries this year than ever before - over 700 submissions! After several rounds of listening, voting, and debating, these 10 finalists were selected to perform on the Folks Festival main stage on Friday, August 14. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who shared their music with us this winter.
- John Common (Denver, CO)
- Andy Gullahorn (Nashville, TN)
- Anne Heaton (Somerville, MA)
- Andrea House (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
- Holly Furman (Brentwood, TN)
- Liz Longley (Downingtown, PA)
- Ben Mallott (Austin, TX)
- Colin McGrath (Brooklyn, NY)
- Drew Nelson (Grand Rapids, MI)
- Lucy Wainwright Roche (Brooklyn, NY)
- 1st Alternate: Emily Kurn (Anchorage, AK)
- 2nd Alternate: Chris Pureka (Northampton, MA)
Honorable Mentions
|
|
2009 Showcase Rules and Guidelines
- The entrance fee is $10 per song. Contestants may submit up to two original songs.
- Songs can be submitted two ways:
- Submit online: contestants may submit electronically through SonicBids at www.sonicbids.com/rockymountainfolks09. Online submissions will cost $10/song payable by credit card. Limit 2 songs/person.
- Submit by snail mail: send us a CD (no cassette tapes, please) with the songs/tracks for consideration clearly specified. Please enclose checks for $10/song payable to Planet Bluegrass. Limit 2 songs per person. Please do not send any lead sheets, lyrics, publicity, bios, etc. Recordings will not be returned. Send your CD and entrance fee to:
Planet Bluegrass
PO Box 769
Lyons, CO 80540
Attn: Folks Showcase Contest
-
Contestants cannot be signed to a major label or publishing deal. This competition is meant for emerging and independent performing songwriters.
2007 Showcase winner Sarah Sample - All tapes and CD’s must be postmarked or submitted by June 12, 2009 to be eligible.
- Ten finalists will be chosen for the Songwriter Showcase in Lyons. Notification will take place on July 10, 2009.
- Each finalist will receive the following:
- a complimentary three day pass to the Folks Festival that includes on-site camping for one
- an “in the round” performance slot in the Wildflower Pavilion during the festival
- Finalists will play 2 original songs on the Festival Main Stage.
- Recommended time limit is 5 minutes per song.
- Points will be deducted for significantly exceeding this limit.
- Acoustic instruments with pickups are permitted as well as EQ devices but no effects.
- Instruments allowed are those that can be carried out to the mics with the performer. A keyboard will be provided if necessary.
- No backup musicians allowed. This is a solo competition.
2009 Songwriter Showcase Schedule
- Entry Deadline: June 12th (postmarked), finalists will be notified by July 10th.
- Finals: Friday, August 14th, approx. 11:30 AM on the Festival Main Stage. Prizes are awarded immediately after the showcase.
