Reed Waddle, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based singer-songwriter and guitarist, is the grand prize winner in the fourth annual songwriting contest sponsored by The New York Songwriters Circle. A panel of 10 music industry judges selected him as the recipient of $25,000 in cash and prizes following live performances by 12 finalists, Nov. 18-19, at The Bitter End in New York City.

“It’s truly an honor to be associated with the songwriters circle, let alone [to be} the winner of such a prestigious competition,” said Waddle, who won over the judges with a soulful rendition of his song, “Piece by Piece.” Calling the honor “a dream come true,” Waddle said: “It’s amazing to be acknowledged among so many talented songwriters. I am thankful for the opportunity that the circle has offered to all of us, especially in such a difficult economic climate.”

Tina Shafer, The New York Songwriters Circle’s artistic director and host of the contest, described Waddle’s performance and the way he presented his song as “clean and of a very high professional caliber.” Said Shafer, “He completely impressed everyone with his smooth voice and is definitely ready to breakout into the mainstream.”

Waddle, who has been building a fan base through an exhaustive touring schedule that had him playing more than 300 shows annually for the past three years, also was a co-winner in the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest and was among 20 finalists in the inaugural American Idol Songwriter competition in 2007.

As The New York Songwriters Circle grand prize winner, he will receive $10, 000 in cash, a performance spot with Grammy Award winner John Oates (also won of the contest’s judges) in Aspen, Colorado, a Gibson acoustic guitar, an opportunity to record with Grammy Award-winning producer Glenn Barrett, and a guest spot on Jonathan Clarke’s radio show on New York’s Q104.3. Previous grand prize-winners include Kate Voegele, Company of Thieves and Mieka Pauley.

Using the renowned “Writers in the Round” nights at Nashville’s Bluebird Café as its model, The New York Songwriters Circle has been producing and directing bimonthly shows in New York City for nearly 20 years and recently began hosting live music showcases in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia as well.

More information on the organization can be found at www.songwriters-circle.com, while more on Waddle can be found at www.reedwaddle.com.

Editor’s Note: I was pleased to include Reed in the popular AcousticMusicScene.com Midnight Hoot during the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference at the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, NY earlier this month.