Andrew Thomas
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18 Oct

Posted at 19:21h in home

We are pleased to announce our 2026 class of winning songwriters, after receiving 70 entries showcasing an amazing variety of songwriters from all genres across the state. The eight winners were chosen through an anonymous screening process by a panel of celebrity judges from Maine’s music scene: music business and marketing consultant Chris Brown, award-winning songwriter Ruth Hill, and studio owner and nonprofit arts leader Sam Monaco. The 2026 winners are: Ashley Lepre for Bat Bite; Shelby Cobb for For the Dogs; Trisha Mason for Maine Girl; Joe Sweeney for Marsha P; Ghostplayer (aka Ruben Feldman) for OCHNO; Krysteana Scribner for The Make Believe; Friend Andrea (aka Andrea Szirbik Groft) for The Queen; and co-writing team Warren & Rich Valdmanis for Wasting Time. All the winning artists will perform their songs at the live showcase at Cadenza listening room (5 Depot Street Freeport, Maine) on Sunday November 1, 2026, at 4pm. Tickets to the event can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maine-songwriters-association-showcase-tickets-2003377962415  for $25 advance; $30 at door. Order early, as we anticipate this event will sell out. The showcase is generously sponsored by Expanding Sky Studio, a professional recording studio and audio engineering service in Brunswick, Maine. Their mission is to bring meaningful, inspiring music to the world, regardless of genre and commercial intent. Thanks again to all who entered! Please remember that songwriting cannot truly be judged and that this decision reflects this year’s particular judging panel’s expertise and tastes. Judges expressed that they had to make hard decisions due to the quality of entries and that they had BIG FUN hearing all these beautiful songs come to life. All to say– please do not be discouraged about entering in a future year (as the judges change annually) and DEFINITELY don’t be discouraged about your songwriting in general. Keep on writing and making music!...

11 Oct

Posted at 09:02h in home

Maine Songwriters Association is pleased to announce our 15th Annual Contest Winners: Skip Bailey for his song Wildflower Bouquets, Thomas Charles Clukey for Freedom’s Calling, David Dodson for Glad About That, Kate Fiano for her song Forgive Me, Julian Giordano for Geoni August, Ruth Hill for Just Like An Angel, Alice Limoges for Hurricane Alley, Doug Morier for his song Him and John Wayne, John Schindler for Red, White, Black and Blue, and Sigrid Sibley for Never Knew Love.  The live showcase is Sunday November 2, 2025 at Cadenza (5 Depot Street Freeport, Maine). Tickets to the event can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/yc69sar8 $25 advance; $30 at door. Order early, as we anticipate this event will sell out. Winners’ showcase is generously sponsored by Expanding Sky Studio, a professional recording studio and audio engineering service in Brunswick, Maine. Their mission is to bring meaningful, inspiring music to the world, regardless of genre and commercial intent. ...

18 Mar

Posted at 19:10h in events, MSA Event

We're excited to be kicking off our Songwriters on Stage season with these four outstanding songwriters, Stan Davis, Andrea Cole, Carole Wise, and Dale Henry Geist.  The show will be on Thursday, April 3rd, 7pm at Meetinghouse Arts in Freeport.  Order your tickets via the links below: $20 General Ticket $18 for full MSA members Learn more about the performers: Andrea Goldman Cole is a Maine singer and songwriter, and was honored to be the 2nd-place finalist in the 2021 MSA song contest. Reflecting on themes of nature, love, and family, Andrea aims to put some good vibes and sounds into the world through her heartfelt songs. She credits the Beatles with teaching her all the guitar chords she knows. Stan Davis’ music has been praised for its "spot-on accuracy that touches the heart" (Lucky Clark, On Music) and his songs’ ability to offer "a calming and reassuring piece of music about uncertain and turbulent times" (This Week in Maine Music). He is known for his captivating performances, with one concert presenter writing: "Your performance...

01 Oct

Posted at 20:06h in MSA Event, Uncategorized

We received a record number of entries for this year's song contest, and now are proud to announce the following 6 Finalists to perform at our 14th Annual Song Contest Finals, which will be held at Cadenza in Freeport on November 3rd. Get your tickets now, and meet these talented writer/performers, as well as this year's accomplished slate of judges, below. Award-winning songwriter Sue Horowitz writes about everyday struggles and joys and makes them meaningful and resonant. Recent highlights- SERFA Official Showcase artist, DJ Showcases @ NERFA and FARM, a full house at Club Passim, Emerging Artist, at Falcon Ridge. Sue’s 5th CD, "Strings, Wings and Curious Things", debuted at # 3 on FAI radio, with several other charting singles. She tours as a folk and spiritual artist as well as with the band Autumn Sun. Lover of the art of songwriting, Sue runs several songwriting retreats. Dar WIlliams says, "Whatever our faith, Sue has the humor, compassion and songs to help us believe again." Wes Covey is a Freeport, Maine-based musician, songwriter, and clinical social worker. His songs explore the resonant emotions of everyday folks doing their best and, often, failing. Having lived throughout the United States and worked jobs ranging from librarian to big cat handler, Wes creates a nuanced web of people and place with a perspective uniquely his own. Wes’ second acoustic album, Finding Light, was released in June, 2024. Carole Wise is a Maine singer/songwriter and self-taught multi-instrumentalist. Her playing is intricate and straightforward; her lyrics are nuanced, lyrical, personal and universal. The title cut of her 2021 release, The Long Way Home, charted in the top 20 on Folk Radio. Her 2024 release, North Star, is picking up momentum. Carole's music is not afraid. She sings about love, loss, society's issues, finding self, courage and perseverance ~ always with a silver lining ~ a belief that every experience is an opportunity for growth and awareness, and seeing the world with all its beauty, wonder and fragility. Aaron Barber spent his youth tinkering with music; playing guitar, songwriting, jamming on drum sets made of books and pans as he listened to the Rolling Stones, and perusing the aisles of vinyl in the local record store with friends. He loves writing original material and is always listening as the world around him presents tons of quips and emotions ripe for storytelling. “Songs are like a scrapbook of memories, where I can dust off a guitar and revisit the experiences I’ve shared with family, friends, and strangers.” Careful or you might find yourself in a song. Tom McKeon is a Maine native who has been playing guitar and singing since he was a kid. He has been working on writing original songs in the last ten years and cites influences including Mark Knopfler, Lyle Lovett, Gillian Welch and Paul Simon. “I learn (steal) a little something from all the songwriters I hear, from Lady Gaga to Michael Hedges, and I’m always looking to broaden my scope.” Tom is...