Judges, Songwriting Contest

Update May 15, 2018: Deadline extended to June 1, 2018!

The Songwriting Contest Committee has chosen three judges. After the Committee picks seven finalists, the judges at the contest will pick winners from those finalists, all according to criteria listed in the Rules.

The judges are, in alphabetical order: Cindy Bear, Dan Crews, and J.J. Rolle.

  • Cindy Bear, Jacksonville, Florida,

    Cindy Bear Cindy Bear is an award winning singer-songwriter based in Jacksonville, FL, who performs at music festivals, house concerts, listening rooms, and charity fundraisers throughout the Southeastern U.S. She is a successful solo artist, and also half of Bear and Robert (pronounced “Row-bear”), a Blues, Folk and Americana duo with her husband, Franc Robert….

    Cindy Bear is also an active volunteer and supporter of Florida Folk, Blues and Americana. She strives to bring artists and opportunities together across the state as an active Board member of the North Florida Folk Network.

  • Dr. Dan Crews, retired music teacher at Suwannee Primary School, Live Oak, Florida,

    Dr. Dan Crews leads Suwannee Primary School students through their spring concert Tuesday by Jamie Wachter
    Photo: Jamie Wachter, Suwannee Democrat

    “I’m proud to be a part of a district where the belief has been that our students should be exposed to the arts as part of the curriculum.”

    That exposure, though, will now begin with someone new.

    And after nearly half a century of being a part of that, including teaching approximately 30,000 students in his run with Baker at SPS, Crews said he is looking forward to a change.

    “The plans right now are to decompress for a year,” he said. “I’ve been Dr. Crews, the music teacher, for 44 years.

    “I want to see what it’s like just to be plain Dan Crews.”

  • J.J. Rolle, Valdosta, Georgia,

    J.J. Rolle JOHN JEFFERY (J.J.) ROLLE has been performing on stage since the tender age of eight; first in school productions, then community and professional shows. He has had roles in Of Mice and Men, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, two original musicals (Toy Boys! and The Kahoogaphone)and the title role in Shakespeare’s Othello just to name a few! He also appears in the film The Trouble With Sex singing two of his original works. As a singer/songwriter, he has done shows with the likes of Dr. John, Arlo Guthrie and Ultravox’s Midge Uhre. He also fronted two bands: a 7-pc. dance band called Cantaloupe! with several appearances on Irish national television (RTE) as well as performing at the prestigious Guinness International Jazz Festival 5 years in a row, and his own 6-pc. Soul/Funk/Disco band, JJ’s Soul Funkshun with a 3 year residency in The Mezz Bar and featured band at the first Guinness St Patrick’s Day Festival to their credit.

Here is a printable PDF flyer, the rules, sponsor opportunities, and draft sponsor banners.

Submissions are encouraged in every musical genre or style. There will be prizes for the top finalist in each genre, in addition to the $300 First Prize, $50 prizes to one submission each from within the Suwannee River Basin and one from outside.

The deadline to submit is Extended to Friday, June 1, 2018. You can submit today! Here’s the entry form.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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