Song Writing Contest
Music connects us and a song with great lyrics can truly open our hearts & touch our souls. We recently closed entries to the 2023 songwriting contest. We’ll announce the winner, runner-up and honorable mentions at our 158th Free Performance Night on Saturday December 16th at Noble Coffee Roasters in Campbell Hall NY. Our 3 judges: Dave Kearney, Elly Wininger and Barry Adelman will share their music that night. We’ll also announce the winners via email that night. To be notified join our email list by clicking here.
The winner will be invited to perform a set for us at Noble Coffee Roasters in 2024. The winner will also be interviewed on John Burton’s award winning show “Home from Here.” We’ll have a new songwriting contest in 2024 with 3 new judges including Stuart Kabak who has won many songwriting contests Stay on the email list to be informed when we start accepting songs.
Your 3 Judges
Elly Wininger
I have been writing and recording songs since the 70s. I have taught songwriting workshops at day camps, community centers, and arts societies. I developed a group songwriting program called “Our Song” that has been used by children, seniors, and people with developmental disabilities.
Awards
2008 Song of the Year Contest / Honorable Mention
2009 International Songwriting Contest / Honorable Mention
2010 Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival / Songwriting Finalist
2019 Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest Finalist / Instrumental Category
2020 Mid Atlantic Songwriting Contest Finalist Award / Blues/Jazz Vocal Category
2010- Elly Song “Housewife From Hell” Among the 10 most requested titles on Radio Teutoburger Wald / Herford, Germany.
Dave Kearney
Perhaps the reason that Dave Kearney’s songs are so powerful is that he has actually lived them. His heartfelt performances elicit nods of recognition, tears, and a line of people coming up to him after the show to tell him which song moved them the most.
Sometimes it’s the one about a wounding father/daughter relationship, or the tragedy of addiction, or a shattering love triangle, or a sacred experience of the natural world. Sure he has had influences. But that is not enough. And obviously he has studied his craft well. But it is the crucible of his life experiences that makes Kearney a commanding artist.
He also taught songwriting at The Woodstock Songwriters Workshop and at the Pine Hill Community Center as well as privately.
Barry Adelman
Barry Adelman began his musical journey learning the flute. After a few years he began learning classical and flamenco guitar. It was during that period when songs started to come to him. Most of them were songs of the heart, falling in love & breaking up. After a long relationship ended “Fireworks in July” magically appeared to help him resolve the end.
One day he stood up in his living room and said “Great Spirit, can’t you give me more meaningful songs than these songs of the heart.” Within a week “The Tree Song” appeared by Divine inspiration. Over the next few years many spiritual songs appeared including “Wherever We Come From”, “The Voice of God”, “The Journey Home”. These songs and others touched people’s hearts & souls. Then one day in 2005 he heard the voice of God and it whispered “Music for Humanity”. That experience led to the creation of the not-for-profit Music for Humanity.
Barry is the Co-Founder and “chief volunteer” of Music for Humanity since 2005. He has been the host of first the MFH open mic, and now the monthly MFH Free Performance Night which is into its 13th year. This event features 2-3 outstanding artists who play both covers & originals. It also includes some outstanding instrumentalists. You can hear many of Barry’s songs and the other performers at the Music for Humanity YouTube channel.