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We are excited to announce the finalist results of the 2018 Wildflower! Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest. Hundreds of entries poured in from all over the country and the 10 finalists have been chosen.\u00a0 The selection is a blind screening process by several experienced music promoters, songwriters, and educators familiar with original songwriting and performing techniques.<\/p>\n
The finalists will perform on the United Healthcare Singer Songwriter Stage in the Eisemann Center the weekend of the Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival<\/a> on Saturday, May 19th at 11:30 a.m.\u00a0\u00a0Three of these artists will receive a $500 cash award.\u00a0 The Michael Terry People’s Choice Award will also be judged by the audience and presented at the end of the performances. The winners of the final contest are invited to perform on the Courtyard Stage on Sunday, May 20th and sell their music or merchandise to fans. Lodging and access to the Green Room is provided as well as weekend festival passes for the finalist and a guest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The award-winning Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest encourages the growth of the art of independent performing singer-songwriters. The genres include:\u00a0 Acoustic, Americana, Blues, Celtic, Country, Folk, and Pop.<\/p>\n The 2018 ten Performing Songwriter Finalists in alphabetical order are as follows:<\/p>\n Kelly Augustine<\/a>\u00a0– Denver, Colorado<\/p>\n Eric Bettencourt<\/a>\u00a0– Austin, Texas<\/p>\n Wes Collins<\/a>\u00a0– Chapel Hill, North Carolina<\/p>\n Kyle Donovan<\/a>\u00a0– Boulder, Colorado<\/p>\n Kristen Grainger<\/a>\u00a0– Salem, Oregon<\/p>\n Christine Hand<\/a>\u00a0– Dallas, Texas<\/p>\n Mia Rose Lynne<\/a>\u00a0– Nashville, Tennessee<\/p>\n Brian Pounds<\/a>\u00a0– Austin, Texas<\/p>\n Emma Walsh<\/a>\u00a0– Arlington, Texas<\/p>\n Brad Yoder<\/a>\u00a0– Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read the full article about Al Johnson<\/a> posted by the Dallas Songwriters Association<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0More information about the Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest may be found:\u00a0https:\/\/wildflowerfestival.com\/songwriter-contest\/<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wildflowerfestival.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/DSC_0055-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n“Al Johnson\u00a0created the Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest to encourage and support the growth of the art of independent performing singer songwriters. \u00a0These self-contained musical artists whose lyrics and performances succeed on the strength of their imaginations are honored to be chosen as one of ten finalists to perform during the Festival.<\/h4>\n
In 2003, Al added the People\u2019s Choice Award to the Performing Songwriter Contest. \u00a0 This allowed audience members to select their favorite performer each year during the Contest finals.\u00a0\u00a0Over the years, Al recruited well-known professional songwriters to share their expertise and craft with aspiring songwriters, creating the Songwriters Workshop in 2008.\u00a0Al developed strong relationships within the Singer Songwriter Community that lead to the success of these programs.<\/h4>\n
In recognition and appreciation Al\u2019s leadership, vision, passion and dedication to the art of songwriting,\u00a0 the Performing Songwriter Contest was named the \u201cAl Johnson Performing Songwriting Contest<\/a>\u201d on the 25th\u00a0Anniversary of the Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival.\u00a0 In 2017, the Al Johnson songwriting scholarship fund was created.”<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n