MerleFest 2009 announces winners of annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins Apr 9, 2009

Finalists have been selected for the 17th annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, hosted by MerleFest 2009, which is scheduled for April 23-26 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C.

Created in 1988 as a fundraiser for the college, MerleFest 2009 will feature four days of performances by almost 100 artists on 15 stages on the campus of Wilkes Community College. (A complete lineup of artists is posted at www.merlefest.org.)

MerleFest honors the memory of instrumental virtuoso Eddy Merle Watson and the contributions of Doc Watson and the entire Watson family to the musical traditions of the region and nation. And just as in prior years, list of performers fits the "traditional plus" definition offered by Doc when describing the rich musical diversity that is a hallmark of the event.

As for the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, the compeition offers an opportunity for aspiring writers to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of Nashville music industry professionals, under the direction of this year's volunteer contest chairman, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale.

First-place winners in each category receive a performance on the Cabin Stage at MerleFest 2009, an acoustic guitar, a check for $300, two boxes of D'Addario strings and a one-year subscription to Acoustic Guitar magazine. Second- and third-place winners in each category receive performance slots on the Friday night Songwriters Coffeehouse, as well as cash prizes, D'Addario strings and Acoustic Guitar subscriptions.

This year’s winning tunesmiths were chosen from among 840 entries, and the participating writers will compete on the Austin Stage at MerleFest on Friday, April 24, at 2 p.m.

All songs were judged by a volunteer panel of Nashville songwriters, publishers and other music industry professionals. Judging was based on a song's originality, lyrics, melody and overall commercial potential.

This year’s winning songs, listed by category, are as follows.

Country category

"Maybe You'll Start Loving Me Again" by Lloyd Wood; Spencer, Ind.; "Man of Few Words" by Dennis Duff; Kuttawa, Ky.; and "Once Upon a Time" by Tonya Lowman; Lenoir, N.C.

Bluegrass category

"Water Falls" by Wyatt Espalin and Cobi Ferguson; Nashville, Tenn.; "Love Gone By" by Carol Hausner and Coin McCaffrey; Montpelier, Vt.; and "The Old Coal Mine" by Brink Brinkman; Columbus, Ohio.

Gospel category

"I Had A Little Talk with Jesus" by Richard Henry; Houston, Texas; "Little Bitty Piece of God" by Jo Ellen Doering; Los Angeles, Calif.; and "Beyond the Rain" by Brink Brinkman; Columbus, Ohio.

General category

"Carolina Rain" by Ron Fetner; Seaford, Va.; "I Will Fly" by John Smith; Trempealeau, Wisc.; and "Unmarked Pavement" by Letha and Miles Costin; Raleigh, N.C.

Previous winners of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest have included Gillian Welch, Tift Merritt, Michael Reno Harrell, Adrienne Young, Martha Scanlan, David Via and Johnny Williams.