Winfield, Kansas–Organizers of the 2020 virtual Walnut Valley Festival, or WVF 48.5, have announced the winners of the 2020 NewSong Showcase. The NewSong Showcase gives aspiring songwriters a chance to submit their work for review by a professional songwriter/artist, and features ten categories, including songs about Winfield, Children, Religion/Spirit, Feelin’ Blue, Instrumental, Sweet Memories, Love Songs, Better World, Humor and None of the Above. Usually, the top songs in each category are given the opportunity to play their song onstage at the Walnut Valley Festival. Two winners and two alternates are selected for each of the ten categories of songs.
This year the winners are being asked to videotape themselves playing the winning songs, so that they can be streamed during a special online edition of the NewSong Showcase, set to air at 7 pm CDT on Friday, September 18. A special Zoom edition of Stage 11, Songwriters Stage, will then give the alternates a chance to show their stuff.
This is also the first year that the review of the entries was curated by Chris Jones, writer, broadcaster, and front man for Chris Jones and the Night Drivers. Chris Jones: “I was impressed by the quality and range of the songs that were entered. I love the process of discovering new songs, so I really appreciate the Walnut Valley Festival entrusting me with this job. I’m also grateful to the outstanding judges who lent their ears and their hearts to the often difficult task of determining winners, and who gave really valuable feedback to all the writers. I’m especially thankful to the songwriters who opened themselves up and let us hear their work and their art.”
Songs about Winfield:
Winners:
The Old Walnut River – J.D. Benning
Weekend at Winfield – Mike Ichniowski
Alternates:
Pick Your Paradise – Ron Walker
Pickin’ in the Road – Evan Ogborn
Songs for a Better World:
Winners:
Land of the Great Osage – Annie Wilson
Maria’s Dusty Shoes – Beth Lee
Alternates:
Better Angels – James L. Hermann
Let Us Not Close Our Hearts – Joy Zimmerman
Sweet Memories:
Winners:
Enjoy the Ride – Mackie Redd/Kenny Cornell
No Time Son – Jim McCarter
Alternates:
That Old Front Porch – Kenny Cornell
Hard Wheat Harvest of ’84 – James L. Hermann
Religion/Spirit:
Winners:
Restless Wanderer – Ralph Wesley Carr
Druid Hymn – Emily K. Johnson-Erday
Alternates:
Loaves and Fishes – Patrice Webb
Just Passing’ Through – Beth Lee
None of the Above:
Winners:
Hell Bender – Beth Lee
Coyote Serenade – Annie Wilson
Alternates:
On the Connecticut – Stan Sullivan
Put My Mind at Ease – Ken Weddington, Felix Rodriguez, Jose Antonio Ponce, Dan Johnson
Suitable for Children:
Winners:
Lost Shoe Blues – Mike Yoder
Just a Buzzin’ – Mark Noble
Alternates:
Daisy the Bottle Calf – Annie Wilson
Dogs and Cats Are People Too – Mark Noble
Humorous Songs:
Winners:
The Old Clunker – Bruce Allinder
In Love with Your Phone – Kelly Champlin, Adam Gardino
Alternates:
Stealing Jesus – Jim McCarter
Car Parts Party – Kenny Cornell, Elliot Rogers
Instrumental:
Winners:
Ghost Town – Robert Olaf Siegers, Cricket Tombs
Meadowlark Rag – Greg Bryant
Alternates:
Re-entry – Alice Boyle
Nocturn for Lily – – Steve Taylor
Love Songs:
Winners:
I Could Never Write Our Love Song – Jim Carrington
Good Night for a Change – Jim Joyce, Leah Watts
Alternates:
His Coal Mining Days are Through – Kevin T. Hale
How ‘Bout You – Mark Noble
Feelin’ Blue:
Winners:
A Letter and a Hope – Beth Nelson
What’s a Poor Girl to Do? – Beth Lee
Alternates:
Evangeline – Fred Baue
Living in Heartbreak and Pain – Kevin T. Hale