MC Chuck Roberts introduced all three judges, and Kenji Bolden and Joe Smothers each played a song, at the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest 2022.
![[Judges Kenji Bolden and Joe Smothers @ Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, 20 August 2022]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-08-20--songwriting-judges/many.jpg)
Judges Kenji Bolden and Joe Smothers @ Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, 20 August 2022
Hahira, Georgia, August 18, 2022 — We’re announcing our singing judges, and raffle tickets still available for the kayak Georgia Beer Co. donated. But we also have to say the pandemic is not over. A key member of one of our headliners went to Atlanta to hear a famous band and came back with COVID-19.
So our new second headliner is Dirty Bird and the Flu, from Valdosta, Georgia. “Funky-blues-soul-fusion born straight out of the South Georgia swamps and a charismatic front-man who catches comparisons of all the famous soul singers. No two shows are ever the same!”
Our first headliner is Sweet William Billy Ennis from Palatka, Florida, our First Prize winner last year. “His fifty years of original songs cover Continue reading
Valdosta, Georgia, August 25, 2019 — Everybody had a good time before plaques were awarded for Best in each Genre, from Folk to Funk, at the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, before two finalists won the money prizes, at the Salty Snapper in Valdosta, Saturday afternoon.
Jay Jourden of Ponte Vedra, Florida, swept the awards, winning Best Newgrass Bluegrass, and $50 for Best Song from Outside the Suwannee River Basin, and the $300 First Prize, all for “Save Our Suwannee.” Jay promised to submit a new song next year, before he played it again for the very happy audience.
“Yes, Jay submitted the same song last year,” said Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman. “But this time he stopped in the middle, said he forgot some verses, and rattled off names of a whole bunch of rivers, all in perfect time. Naming rivers was one of the criteria, and it’s a great song: Save Our Suwannee!”
Dick Grillo of Live Oak, Florida, won both Best Folk/Country, and $50 for Best Song from Inside the Suwannee River Basin, for “Dear ‘Ol Suwannee,” and his cheering section demonstrated it was the loudest. Continue reading
Today is one week from hearing seven finalists play for three judges and you, in the Second Annual Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, at The Salty Snapper in Valdosta, GA, 1-5PM, Saturday, August 24, 2019.
Radio personality Chris Beckham will M.C. Headliners Joe Smothers and last year’s $300 First Prize Winner Laura D’Alisera will play before the contestants. There will be copious snacks, a silent auction, and a kayak raffle, and yes, speakers about the WWALS advocacy for which this is a benefit concert.
Here’s last year’s winner in the Blues genre, as well as the winner of the $50 prize for best finalist from within the Suwannee River Basin, Mike Tappan of Valdosta, playing Capt. Curries Blues.
Continue readingThese are the seven Finalists who will play live at the Second Annual Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, 1-5 PM, Saturday, August 24, 2019, for you and the Judges to hear, so the Judges can select the winners, at The Salty Snapper in Valdosta, GA.
“We got another awesome line up. Glad I’m not a judge,” said Sara Squires Jones, one of the Committee that selected the Finalists.
![[2019-06-23]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-08-24--suwannee-riverkeeper-songwriting-contest/committee-banner.jpg)
You’ll have to wait until the Contest to see the finalists,
so here’s a picture of the Committee that picked the Finalists: l-r, Tom H. Johnson Jr., Laura D’Alisera, Scotti Jay (Chair), Sara Squires Jay, Mary Carolyn Pindar, Eileen Box, John S. Quarterman
In the order we received their songs, with what they wrote about themselves: Continue reading
Hahira, Georgia, July 15, 2019 — “Last year I got in through the extension,” said last year’s winner Laura D’Alisera, because someone “emailed the songwriting community and l had my song 95% in place.” So the Contest Committee has voted to extend the deadline a week, to this Friday, July 19, 2019! “Come on songwriters, send in your song by Friday,” said Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman. “We already have enough songs for the contest, but we want yours, too! Everyone else, you can get some tickets and come and listen!”
![[MC, Headliners, Judges, Sponsors]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-08-24--suwannee-riverkeeper-songwriting-contest/banner-acts-judges.jpg)
MC, Headliners, Judges, Sponsors
Tickets are $10 online or $12 at the door. Or $150 per eight-seat VIP table right in front of the stage. Everything about the contest is online here:
https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-08-24–suwannee-riverkeeper-songwriting-contest/
Sponsoring the contest is a great opportunity Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hahira, Georgia, July 8, 2019 — Before the judges pick the winners at the Second Annual Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, Joe Smothers of Valdosta will lead off, followed by last year’s winner, Laura D’Alisera of Jacksonville, FL. Radio personality Chris Beckham of Tifton, GA, will M.C. Submit your song by Friday, or just get some tickets and come and listen!
![[Headliners]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-08-24--suwannee-riverkeeper-songwriting-contest/acts.jpg)
Headliners
Joe Smothers and Laura D’Alisera
![[Flyer]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-08-20--songwriting/big/Flyer-2022-SuwRK-Songwriting-Contest-0001.jpg)
![[Jay Jourden Winning]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-08-24--songwriting-videos/jay-jourden-save-our-suwannee.jpg)