Larry Murante

Larry Murante is the winner of the 2010 Rose Garden Performing Songwriter Contest. A Pennsylvania native who has been living in the Seattle, Washington area for many years, Murante was named the winner over fellow contest finalists Jim Colbert (Bellefonte, PA) and Chris Elliott (Leverett, MA) after performing two of his original songs on May 15 prior to an April Verch Band concert at the Rose Garden Coffeehouse in Mansfield, MA.

A panel of three judges — comprised of Sonny Ochs, a folk DJ, organizer of Phil Ochs Song Nights and longtime Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conference volunteer; Rick Santos, president of a three-store chain of music stores and instructional facilities; and Mark Flanagan, editorial page editor at the Attleboro Sun Chronicle and an Appalachian dulcimer player — selected Murante based on his songwriting ability, stage presence and performance skills. Besides winning a $100 prize, he will be a featured performer in the monthly coffeehouse series next year. The all-volunteer, nonprofit Rose Garden Coffeehouse was established in 1989 and currently takes place at The Congregational Church.

Earlier this year, Murante also was named a grand prize winner in the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, along with co-writer Robyn Landis, for her version of their song “Paul’s Song.” That song is featured on both of their 2009 releases. – including his third album, Point of Entry. Released last spring, the CD features a mix of folk-pop, acoustic, Americana and jazz stylings. Murante, who also was a finalist in the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk and Tucson Folk Festival Songwriting Competitions last year, has released three albums of original songs. He cites Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, CSNY, The Eagles and Jackson Browne as early musical influences.

For more information on Murante and to hear a few song clips, visit www.larrymurante.com. His version of “Paul’s Song” is currently posted on his MySpace site, along with other songs.