Songwriting contest to showcase finalists

The five finalists in the Sisters Folk Festival's Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest have been announced.

The five will vie for a $750 cash prize and a performance slot on the main stage at the festival, which runs September 7-9 in Sisters.

The finalists are: Willie Carmichael, Bend; Melody Moore, Shreveport, Louisiana; Michael McGarrah, Maricopa, Arizona; Jud Caswell, Brunswick, Maine; and Datri Bean, Austin, Texas.

"We received a record number of entries this year from all over the United States," said folk festival chairman Jim Cornelius. "Our screeners listened to almost 700 songs to come up with five finalists."

Each finalist will have 15 minutes to perform approximately three songs during the contest at the Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill & Saloon stage on Saturday, September 8. The contest kicks off at noon.

"For several years, we've packed the house for the songwriting contest," Cornelius said. "It's always a great show. It's a chance for many of our audience to catch acts that are at the beginnings of serious careers in this genre of music."

The contest is named in honor of the late Dave Carter, who won the first festival contest in 1995. Carter went on to become one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. He was working with folk legend Joan Baez at the time of his death in 2002.

Other winners include Bob Hillman, Darryl Purpose and Sisters' own Dennis McGregor.

"The contest is not really about competition, even though there is a winner," Cornelius said. "It's about recognizing emerging talent and giving writers a showcase. This is a low-profile genre of music, and people have to be creative in getting their music in front of an audience. Being a finalist in a widely-recognized contest can really give a boost to a songwriter's career."

Tickets are still available for the three-day festival. The festival will feature The Greencards, Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks, Gretchen Peters, Ollabelle and more.

For more information visit http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org or call 549-4979.