Carolann Solebello

Carolann Solebello was named the winner of the 2011 Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival (SMAF) Songwriter Contest. She was selected after performing two original songs — “Papa’s Mandolin” and “Wash Me Clean” — during the finals held on Friday afternoon, May 6, as part of the 10th Annual SMAF in downtown Havre de Grace, Maryland.

Most familiar to folk audiences as a founding member of the female trio Red Molly, Solebello, a New York City native, first fell in love with mountain music – and the bluegrass and country that grew out of that tradition – while working as an actor in East Tennessee and Kansas. Tunes and techniques she learned from musicians in both places fundamentally changed her approach to songwriting and guitar playing and subsequently colored her work with Red Molly. Since parting with the trio last summer, Solebello continues to earn accolades from reviewers and presenters for performing her own brand of original and traditional music as a solo artist.

“I’m not a naturally competitive person, so the idea of songwriting as a contest makes me slightly uncomfortable,” says Solebello. Despite that, I must confess being chosen as the winner gave me a little thrill. Mostly, I suppose, it felt like a reassuring pat on the back; a little sign from the universe saying I’m following the right path.”

While noting that “arranging and performing mostly cover tunes with Red Molly was wonderful (especially since we chose some amazing songs to cover),” Solebello says “what excites me most these days is songwriting. I’m just hoping I can continue to sharpen my writing skills by applying lessons learned about lyrics, melody, and structure from the classic American songs I learned with Red Molly.”

In addition to three full-length releases with Red Molly and two with her previous band, modern folk quartet CC Railroad, Solebello has two solo albums to her credit, Just Across the Water (2000) and Glass of Desire (2009). Her third solo CD, Threshold, is slated for release next month. She is also the founder and head of Elizabeth Records, an independent collective with 10 releases under its umbrella, and hosts a monthly open mic series in New York City.

Here’s a video of Solebello singing “Wash Me Clean” for the Folk Music Society of Huntington (New York) earlier this year, courtesy of Gordon Nash.

Other finalists in the 2011 SMAF Songwriter Contest included Doug Brouder, Garrison Doles (third place), T. Edwin Doss, Maura Jensen (second place), Holly Montgomery and Doug Spears. The songwriting contest judges were Tony Correlli, Ty Ford and Ray Naylor.