Ten finalists have been named in the 2015 Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest. Each will perform two songs on the Singer Songwriter Stage during the 23rd annual Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival at Galatyn Park Urban Center in Richardson, Texas, just a few minutes north of Dallas. Billed as North Texas’ largest music festival, it takes place, May 15-17.
The ten finalists selected by a panel of judges, based on both their songwriting craft and the presentation of their songs, are Richard Berman (MA), Cherie Call (UT), John Carroll (TN), Brad Colerick (CA), Angela Easterling (SC), Annalise Emerick (TN), George Ensle (TX), Frank Martin Gilligan (TX), Lola Toben (MO), and Crystal Yates (TX).
After showcasing their talents on Saturday, May 16, four of the finalists will receive $500 each and will perform in a 75-minute winners’ round on Sunday afternoon, while each of the other six will each receive $100. All ten finalists will also perform hour-long sets on the Courtyard Stage, on which several Dallas Songwriters Association Spotlights also take place over the weekend.
Last year’s Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest winners were Marc Douglas Berardo (RI), Carolyn Currie (ME), Drew Kennedy (TX), and Ellen Tipper (ME).
Other artists slated to perform on the Singer Songwriter Stage during the festival include Phoebe Hart Trio, Bill Ward/2-Bit Palomino, and Tom Prasada-Rao on Friday. Jacob Johnson, Rj Cowdery, Danny Schmidt, Carrie Elkin, Cliff Eberhardt, Louise Mosrie, Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys, and Trout Fishing in America perform on Saturday. Cowdery, Mosrie and Ian Dickson – – previous contest winners in 2011, 2010 and 2005, respectively – take part in a Sunday afternoon song swap, while Zane Williams closes out the stage with a set beginning at 5:30 p.m.
In addition to its Singer Songwriter and Courtyard Stages, Wildflower! will feature several other stages with an eclectic array of musical artists (ranging from rockers Pat Benatar, Kansas and 38 Special to noted Texas singer-songwriters Joe Ely and Gary P. Nunn), as well as the Wild! Marketplace, a Taste of Texas Food Garden, a Kidz Korner family area and petting zoo, strolling entertainers, and more.
Three-day festival passes may be purchased online via ClicknPrintTickets and at Tom Thumb stores around the Metroplex for $30 through 5:30 p.m. on May 15, while single-day adult tickets will be available for $20 at the gate and online. For more information, including performance schedules, visit www.wildflowerfestival.com.
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