MerleFest has announced the finalists for their 2017 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Each year hundreds of eager writers submit songs to be considered for this prestigious competition. First round judges then have the unenviable task of selecting three finalists in each
Walt Wilkins, Gilles Godard and Nicole Witt This month’s column features the song, Trains I Missed, written by Walt Wilkins, Gilles Godard and Nicole Witt in 2005. It was recorded by Balsam Range for their 2010 album by the same name
Perhaps the only thing better than enjoying live bluegrass by some of your favorite artists, is witnessing those artists perform in an intimate, magical setting with near perfect acoustics. This past weekend brought those elements together in a truly special
Attention bluegrass songwriters! Here's another chance to get your songs out amongst the many artists looking for material. The Circa-Blue Fest, held each May in Martinsburg, WV, has announced a new songwriting contest. The deadline to enter is March 31, with
The winners of the 2017 Hazel Dickens Song Contest have been announced, and it is a good year for the ladies. This annual contest is held to honor the lifetime achievements of the late Hazel Dickens, who added a great
This month’s Songwriter’s Backstory features the bluegrass and country standard, 'Tis Sweet To Be Remembered, by American bluegrass star, Mac Wiseman. Internationally referred to as ‘the voice with a heart’, Wiseman is one of the original architects of the bluegrass
There’s still time for songwriters to enter two major contests that honor bluegrass compositions. January 5 is the entry deadline for the DC Bluegrass Union’s Hazel Dickens Song Contest. The contest, in its third year, is strictly for bluegrass (including bluegrass
Those who have an interest in classic country music, that of the traditional type of the 1940s and 1950s, will know that Arthur Q Smith is becoming less of a mystery. Known for his excellent and prolific song-writing and a fondness
That's right, folks. If there's a chill in the air, that means it's time to sharpen those pencils and get your submissions ready for the big songwriting contests. The two competitions that hold sway with bluegrass writers are accepting entries
This month’s Songwriter’s Back Story features the song, Around The Corner, written by Milan Miller and Thomm Jutz and recorded by banjo great, Terry Baucom and the Dukes of Drive. This is Baucom’s follow-up to the first single, The Rock,
