Presented by Folk Alliance, the 6 regional rounds of the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest will be held this August and early September in select listening rooms across North America. Winners to showcase at International Folk Alliance Convention and Mountain Stage Radio Show.

Memphis, Tenn. (EMWNews) August 6, 2008 — Now in its seventh year, the 2008 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest is one of the premier showcases for performing songwriters in North America. This year the Folk Alliance is highlighting its own 20th anniversary year by sponsoring this, and other events around North America, that foster and promote folk music. Chosen from hundreds of entries, 10 finalists have been selected to compete in each NewSong Regional Round. Come out to hear them perform – their best milieu.

Regional Rounds to be held:

August 11 The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI – Midwest Round w/ Patrice Pike

316 So. Main St., 8 p.m., $12.50, 734/761-1818 or theark.org

August 16 Ottawa Folk Festival, Ottawa, ON – Canadian Round w/ Chris Velan

Britannia Park, 5:30 p.m., 613/230-8234 or www.ottawafolk.org

August 17 Joe’s Pub, New York, NY – Northeast Round w/ TBD

425 Lafayette St., 6:30 p.m., $15, 212/539-8777 or www.joespub.com

August 24 Eddie’s Attic, Decatur, GA – Southeast Round w/ Caroline Herring

515 N McDonough St., 7:30 p.m., $15/$18, 404/377-4976, www.eddiesattic.com

August 28 Cactus Café, Austin, TX – Southwest Round – TBD

24th & Guadalupe Sts., 8:00 p.m., 512/475-6515, www.utexas.edu/txunion/ae/cactus

September 2 The Mint, Los Angeles, CA – West Round w/ TBD

6010 W. Pico Blvd., 8 p.m., 323/954-9400 or www.themintla.com

“The Folk Alliance is pleased to be associated with one of the most respected songwriting contests on the planet, NewSong, and the legendary Mountain Stage Radio Show. I know that this contest can change the career path for its winners and we are proud to be a part of that process,” says Louis Meyers, Executive Director, The Folk Alliance

“The partnering of the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest with the Folk Alliance is a natural,” says Mountain Stage Executive Producer Andy Ridenour. “The result will be an even greater impact on the two institution’s missions of promoting the song AND the songwriter.”

The contest is open to all genres of music, reflecting the diversity of performers on Mountain Stage with Larry Groce. NewSong is dedicated to finding, promoting, and working with the most talented performing songwriters regardless of style. This year NewSong is introducing a new Youth Category to artists 21 or younger.

“NewSong made everyone feel like we were there for a purpose and that we were being celebrated for what we do. Everyone was treated so well and told that NewSong would always be a resource for us … even one year later they are still in touch. It’s much more than a songwriting contest.” – Rose Cousins, 2007 NewSong Contest Winner

The winner of each round will advance to the international finals held October 11, 2008 in Charleston, West Virginia. Then five co-winners winners will be chosen. They will perform in a ‘Feature Showcase’ and be registered to attend the 21st International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, Tenn. February 18-22, 2009. There are also cash prizes for the five co-winners, and one of them will perform on Mountain Stage.

NewSong’s partner MOUNTAIN STAGE® is a live performance music program heard worldwide on over 125 radio stations, XM Satellite Radio and the Voice of America. Now in its 25th year, the show has a long and storied tradition of featuring national and international acts in all styles of music and of launching emerging acts to stardom.

For full contest rules and guidelines, see www.newsong-music.com/contest. There is still time to compete for the General Round until September 1.

The International Folk Alliance Conference will be held February 18-22, 2009 in Memphis, Tenn. Showcase applications and registration information for the international as well as the four regional conferences is at www.folk.org.

Folk Alliance Mission: The North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance exists to foster and promote traditional, contemporary, and multicultural folk music, dance, and related performing arts in North America. The Folk Alliance seeks to strengthen organizational and individual initiatives in folk music and dance through education, networking, advocacy, and professional and field development.