Ten finalists and two alternates have been named in the 2007 Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase, a nationally recognized songwriter competition that is open to those who write and perform original music and who are not currently signed to a major recording or publishing deal.  

The finalists, each of whom will play two original songs on the main stage during the first day of the 17th Annual Rocky Mountain Folks Festival in Lyons, Colorado on Aug. 17, are: Nels Andrews of Brooklyn, NY; Jim Beaver of Philadelphia, PA; J.E. Borgen of Boston, MA; Julie Clark of Norfolk, VA; John Common of Denver, CO; Cary Cooper of Dallas, TX; Julie Payne of Nederland, CO; Sarah Sample of Laramie, WY; and Amy Speace of New York, NY.  Robby Hecht of Nashville, TN, is the first alternate, while Jenee Halstead of Boston, MA, is the second alternate.

The finalists were chosen by a panel of music industry professionals, from among more than 675 entries, on the basis of the quality of original song composition, vocal delivery and overall performance.  On Aug. 17, they will vie for cash prizes and the opportunity to play a main stage set during the 2008 festival.