Winfield, Kansas–Organizers of the 51st Walnut Valley Festival have announced the winners and alternates of the 2023 NewSong Showcase. The NewSong Showcase gives aspiring songwriters a chance to submit their work for review by professional musicians, 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. The writers of the top songs in each category are given the opportunity to play their songs onstage at the Walnut Valley Festival.
Chris Jones, writer, broadcaster, and front man for Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, serves as curator for the Showcase, coordinating with a team of reviewers in making the difficult call as to who gets top honors. Reviewers also provide feedback for the authors of all songs submitted, although that response takes a bit of time to get out to all the songwriters.
Chris Jones: “We had a near record-breaking number of song submissions this year, 296 entries, and the quality was exceptional. While our judges and I devote a considerable amount of time to this, it really is a labor of love, and I appreciate the chance to curate NewSong Showcase on behalf of Walnut Valley Festival. I am grateful to the outstanding judges who lend their ears and their hearts to the difficult task of determining winners, and provide valuable feedback to these songwriters.
NewSong Showcase 2023 Winners and Alternates
Songs about Winfield:
Winners:
“Walnut Valley Festival” — NetaJane Doris, Jay Lankford, Glen Robertson Thursday
“That Stage at Winfield” — Jeff Daugherty Saturday
Alternates:
“We’re Winfield Friends” — David Parker Thursday
“Winfield” — Heath Rochester Saturday
Songs For a Better World:
Winners:
“Name On a List” — Siena Christie Thursday
“Happy Anyway” — Heath Rochester Saturday
Alternates:
“One Day Sober” — Dave Sommers Thursday
“The Boat” — Aaron Fowler Saturday
Sweet Memories:
Winners:
“Choctaw Road” — John Hutchison Thursday
“Love Don’t Live Here No More” — Jeff Daugherty Saturday
Alternates:
“Siblings” — Ann Wright Thursday
“I Hope You Love This Song” — Heath Rochester Saturday
Religion/Spirit:
Winners:
“Same Old Sinner” — Fred Baue Thursday
“Combiners Prayer” — Marilyn Rogers Saturday
Alternates:
“Pick Up Your Cross” — Jeff Daugherty, Mo Pitney Saturday
“God Knows” — Krishna Feeney Saturday
Suitable For Children:
Winners:
“I Spy” — Aaron Fowler Thursday
“Little Zebra” — Aaron Gordon Saturday
Alternates:
“Who Am I” — Mark Heinrich Thursday
“Jumping Rope” — David Hakan Saturday
Humorous Songs:
Winners:
“How Hot’s Your Hot?” — Marilyn Rogers Thursday
“If You Ever Saw Louis Blue” — Ellis Ralph Saturday
Alternates:
“Keep Your Shoes On Babe” — Jack Bowden Saturday
“Google My Disease” — Daniel Elixir Saturday
Instrumental
Winners:
“The Brown-Eyed Yorkshireman” — Gary Mortensen Thursday
“Augie’s Lullaby” — Ralph Wesley Carr Saturday
Alternates:
“Camano” — Lance Anderson Thursday
“Roaring Brook” — Stan Sullivan Saturday
Love Songs
Winners:
“Shooting Star” — Ernie Welch Thursday
“Old Potato” — Sally Vee Saturday
Alternates:
“Ten Miles Long, Five Miles Wide” — Jimmy DeHeno Thursday
“Tennessee Nights” — Jeff Daugherty Saturday
Feelin’ Blue
Winners:
“Little One” — Bud Bierhaus Thursday
“A Change is Coming On” — Warren Jurgens Saturday
Alternates:
“If I Had Known” — Deann Kinsch Thursday
“Cowgirl” — Jolleen Thorpe, Joe McElroy Saturday
None of The Above:
Winners:
“Switchboard Operator” — Annie Wilson Thursday
“A Little Longer” — Kenny Cornell Saturday
Alternates:
“Dyin’ to Live” — Jim Herrmann Thursday
“The Kitchen Band Song” — Fred Baue Saturday