01 Oct 2024 Song Contest Finalists and Judges Announced
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...