Winfield, Kansas–Organizers of the 52nd Walnut Valley Festival have announced the winners and alternates of the 2024 NewSong Showcase. The NewSong Showcase gives aspiring songwriters a chance to submit their work for review by professional musicians and acclaimed songwriters, and features ten categories, including Songs about Winfield, Songs for Children, Religion/Spirit, Feelin’ Blue, Instrumental, Sweet Memories, Love Songs, Songs for a 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, songwriter, 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 to share their song with the world.
Chris Jones: “We had a record-breaking number of song submissions this year, and the quality of entries was just as remarkable. I want to thank all of our reviewers, who did an amazing job in providing quality responses to each and every entrant in the NewSong Showcase: John Pennell; Grace van’t Hof; Rick Lang; Ernie Hill; Becky Buller; Donna Ulisse; Kathy Kallick; Dan Boner; Jon Weisberger; Jeff Daugherty; Roger D. Ferris; Patricia Ann Eaves; and Casey Penn.
NewSong Showcase 2024 Winners and Alternates
With Day of Stage Performance
Songs about Winfield:
Winners:
“Meet me in the Pecan Grove” – Sally Vee Thursday
“Winfield Train” – Doug & Jude Krehbiel Saturday
Alternates:
“Going to Winfield” – Beth Watts Nelson Thursday
“One Last Time” – David Parker Saturday
Songs For a Better World:
Winners:
“Everybody’s Different” — Beth Watts Nelson Thursday
“Wind of War” – David Mark Gunter Saturday
Alternates:
“Hold the Line” – David Hakan Thursday
“Time is a River” – Lily Be Moonflower & Jake Keegan Saturday
Sweet Memories:
Winners:
“The Carolina Side” – Jesse Eisenbise Thursday
“Highway 81” – Jack Summers Saturday
Alternates:
“Doing the Laundry” — Annie Wilson Thursday
“Shiney Buttons” – Joe Conley Saturday
Religion/Spirit:
Winners:
“Ain’t No Man” — Beth Watts Nelson Thursday
“Long Live the King” – Jim McCarter Saturday
Alternates:
“If I’m Wrong” – Emily Johnson-Erday Thursday
“Rooted in the Soil” – Annie Wilson Saturday
Suitable For Children:
Winners:
“Rusty the Trusty Lead Steer” — Annie Wilson Thursday
“My Tomato” – Riley Amanda Saturday
Alternates:
“What Makes French Fries French” – Fred Baue Thursday
“I’ll Read You A Story” – Jack Bowden Saturday
Humorous Songs:
Winners:
“Hot Flash Baby” – Lori Beth Brooke Thursday
“Blush” – Marilyn Rogers Saturday
Alternates:
“Your Problem Now — Elliott Rogers and Kenny Cornell Thursday
“Feel So Fat” — Jude & Doug Krehbiel Saturday
Love Songs
Winners:
“Georgia Peach” – Eric Smith Thursday
“Shine on Me” – Glen Hofbauer Saturday
Alternates:
“One Good Friend” — Michael Kelly Thursday
“How You Make Me Love You” — Jude & Doug Krehbiel Saturday
Feelin’ Blue
Winners:
“4th of July” – Riley Amanda Thursday
“April Snow” – T.Z. Wright Thursday
Alternates:
“Cruel Daylight” — Michael Shainline Thursday
“After Times” – Tim Metz Thursday
Instrumental
Winners:
“Concrete and Steel” – Off the Rails Saturday
“Golden Gate” — R. Olaf Siegers Saturday
Alternates:
“SIONE” — Jim Bettonville Saturday
“A Chance to Say Goodbye” — R. Wesley Carr Saturday
None of the Above:
Winners:
“Working Flint Hills Cowboy” — Annie Wilson Thursday
“Main Stage” – Ben Suchy Saturday
Alternates:
“Susie’s Creek” – Ann K Wright Thursday
“Troubadour’s Last Stand” – Jim Campbell Saturday