Ten performing songwriters have been named as finalists in the annual Songwriter Showcase hosted by SolarFest, a three-day family-friendly festival set for July 18-20, 2014, at the Forget-Me-Not Farm in Tinmouth, Vermont. Now in its 20th year, SolarFest (www.solarfest.org) showcases the power and possibilities of solar and other renewable energy sources, as well as some talented musicians.
Named as finalists were Marc Douglas Berardo (Westerly, RI), Deena Chappell (Cambridge, NY), Jane Fallon (Brookline, NH), Carrie Ferguson (Northampton, MA), David Ferm (Norwich, VT), Connor Garvey (Portland, ME), Rob Lytle (Oak Bluffs, MA), Kathy Moser (Stanhope, NJ), Karyn Oliver (New York, NY) and Carolann Solebello (Brooklyn, NY). Cited for honorable mention were Audrey Drake (Moutonborough, NH), Matt Durfee (Albany, NY), Sharon Goldman (Metuchen, NJ), Kim Jennings (Worcester, MA), Rorie Kelly (Brooklyn, NY), Gary Moon (Lake George, NY) and Bonnie Piesse (Clifton Park, NY).
The ten finalists will perform two songs each and compete to be among the top three artists who will receive cash prizes and studio time, while the winner will be invited back to perform featured artist next year on the festival’s solar-powered Main Stage. The finalists will be judged based on the quality of the song’s composition (both music and lyrics), arrangement, vocal ability, instrumental technique and overall performance skills.
As a panel of three judges is deliberating, Maine’s Martin Swinger, last year’s winner, will perform a set. “I made great contacts at the SolarFest competition, enjoyed sharing songs with my peers, and winning gave me a leg-up on my next album,” said Swinger.
“This is a great opportunity for emerging singer-songwriters,” maintains Phil Henry, who has been organizing the showcase for the past several years. “The stage is impressive; the judging is done by regional music professionals who can be excellent contacts for their careers; and the networking is invaluable,” said Henry, who was himself a past winner of the contest.
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