The international finals of the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, presented by Folk Alliance, take place on Saturday, October 11, at 7:30 p.m., at the Cultural Center in Charleston, West Virginia — home to the internationally broadcast “Mountain Stage” radio and TV show that has showcased more than 2000 artists since its inception in 1983.  Performing artists  include this year’s early-bird finalists Maureen Andary of Washington, D.C. and Robby Hecht of Nashville, Tennessee; general round finalists Jacob & Lily of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kelleigh McKenzie of Rosendale, New York,  and Rose Polenzani of Somerville, Massachusetts; plus the following regional winners: Tanya Davis of Halifax, Nova Scotia; Steve Dawson of Chicago, Illinois; Jeff Ellis of Huntington, West Virginia;  Kangero of Brooklyn, New York; Boris McCutcheon of Ojo Sarco, New Mexico; and Sarah Sample of Seattle, Washington.

The five 2008 co-winners will be featured in a showcase during the 2009 Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, Tennessee next February, while one will join Patty Loveless, the Dan Tyminski Band, Solas and Chris Knight in performing live on “Mountain Stage” on October 12 at 7 p.m.  Last year, that honor went to Canadian singer-songwriter Rose Cousins.  This year’s co-winners and other contest standouts will also be invited to participate in future NewSong productions across the country and may be considered for future releases on the NewSong Recordings label.