Top 10 Finalists – Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest on the United Healthcare Singer Songwriter Stage at the 26th Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival
A month ago 10 finalists were selected from hundreds of entries received for the 2018 Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest. Saturday, May 19th the finalists competed on the United Healthcare Singer Songwriter Stage inside the Eisemann Center during the 26th Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival in Richardson. The judges awarded Eric Bettencourt (Texas), Kristen Grainger (Oregon), and Brian Pounds (Texas) as the top three finalists and the audience voted that Kyle Donovan (Colorado) should receive the Michael Terry People’s Choice Award. All four musicians received $500 in cash prize and invited to share the stage again in a Songwriting Contest Swap on Sunday, May 20, 2018.
“I was thrilled to make the finals and honored to be in such talented company – never dreamed I’d be one of the winners. More fun than a new set of snow tires!” – Kristen Grainger, finalist and winner of the 2018 Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest.
Congratulations to the winners and the remaining six finalists that are as follows: Kelly Augustine (Colorado), Wes Collins (North Carolina), Christine Hand (Texas), Mia Rose Lynne (Tennessee), Emma Walsh (Texas), and Brad Yoder (Pennsylvania). The award-winning Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest is intended to encourage the growth of the art of independent performing singer-songwriters. The genres included in the contest are: Acoustic, Americana, Blues, Celtic, Country, Folk and Pop.
“This year’s finalists are incredibly talented. We are honored to have them compete in the Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest.” Kathleen Angelucci, Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival
2018 Winners of the Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest
Previous winners of the Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest include:
2017
Mike Laureanno
Emily Scott Robinson
Tom Meny
Heather Mae (Michael Terry People’s Choice Award)
2016
Alex Marie Brinkley
Bethel Steele
Katie Stump
Justin Farren (Michael Terry People’s Choice Award)
2015
Annalise Emerick
Crystal Yates
George Ensle
Frank Martin Gilligan (Michael Terry People’s Choice Award)
