Wednesday, February 11. Asheville, NC. LEAF Festival and NewSong Music are proud to announce the Second Annual NewSong Presents: LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition.  With a mission to empower and elevate the professional development of singer-songwriters, LEAF and NewSong have joined forces to discover and celebrate the very best local, regional and national talent.

The contest begins accepting online mp3 submissions today (February 11), and the final deadline to enter is Tuesday, April 7. Judges will select eight finalists from the online submissions, who will then be invited to perform in the live performance finals at the Spring LEAF Festival on Saturday, May 9, 2015. A panel of judges at the finals will select the overall winner of the competition.

The grand prize winner will be awarded a paid, featured performance at the Fall LEAF Festival, October 15-18 in Black Mountain, including lodging & accommodations. The grand prize winner will also advance as regional finalist in the 2015 international NewSong performance and songwriting competition.

All eight finalists will each receive a complimentary LEAF Festival performer pass for Saturday, May 9 to perform in the live finals.

The 2014 LEAF-NewSong Showcase & CompetitionFinals, which take place in the historic Barn on the beautiful LEAF Festival grounds just outside of Asheville in the mountains of western North Carolina. The Barn served as an important classroom and venue of the historic Black Mountain College, and was built by its illustrious students.

Now in its second year, the NewSong Presents: LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition was created as a platform for artists who have a wealth of talent, but limited access to the big stage. The goal is to provide a springboard for Singer-Songwriters everywhere – to share art, shine on stage, and become household names within the LEAF, NewSong, and greater music community. Last year’s first annual grand prize winner was Wyatt Espalin, from Hiawassee, Georgia, who will be returning as a featured performer during this Spring’s second annual live performance finals between sets, as the judges deliberate to determine his successor.

“Since winning the 1st Annual LEAF/NewSong Songwriting Competition last year, I have experienced a whirlwind of buzz around my songwriting,” says Espalin. “With the recognition of the contest, I have been asked to play greater listening venues such as Eddie’s Attic and the Red Clay Theater here in Georgia. It was a wonderful experience and the best part of the prize was performing my own sets at last year’s Fall LEAF fest. I can’t thank LEAF and NewSong enough for the new fans and family that I’ve been able to experience.”

The cost to enter is $20 for one song, $35 for two songs, and $45 for three songs. Submit your songs safely and securely online at www.newsong-music.com/LEAF. A portion of the contest proceeds will support the non-profit LEAF Schools and Streets music & arts education program.

IMPORTANT NEWSONG PRESENTS: LEAF SINGER-SONGWRITER COMPETITION DATES

Wednesday, February 11 – Online submission platform opens for entries
Tuesday, April 7 – Final deadline to enter
Tuesday, April 14  – Finalists announced
Saturday, May 9 – Live performance finals at the Spring LEAF Festival (May 7-10)

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

“One of the greatest gifts we have to offer is our music and our story.  The Second Annual NewSong Presents: LEAF Singer Songwriter Competition gives musicians everywhere an opportunity to share their journey within an amazing setting, surrounded by an incredibly supportive community, for an opportunity to elevate their craft to the Big Stage!” ~ Ehren Cruz, LEAF Performing Arts Director

“It’s a great honor to once again partner with LEAF to present the second annual singer-songwriter competition. The LEAF experience is so special and unique among music and arts festivals, and an ideal environment to introduce deserving emerging artists to an appreciative and supportive audience.” ~ Gar Ragland, NewSong Director & Co-founder

About LEAF

May 2015 marks the 40th LEAF Festival and the 20th year for the larger organization, LEAF Community Arts (LEAF).  LEAF is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with a mission to connect cultures and create community through music and arts.  The programs of LEAF include LEAF Schools & Streets; LEAF International and LEAF Festival.  Attendance at LEAF Festival provides a family-friendly weekend experience infused with music and arts while supporting the long-term vision of the organization.  Since 2004, LEAF has served over 41,000 youth with programs in over 15 community locations and in 10 countries worldwide.  Get involved or find out more at www.theLEAF.org.

About NewSong Music

NewSong Music is an independent artist development company headquartered at Asheville, NC’s Echo Mountain Recording Studios.

NewSong’s mission is to build and support a community of performers and songwriters across all genres and levels of skill, and to identify the truly exceptional artists to introduce their music to a broader, international audience.

Its programs include a record label (NewSong Recordings), artist management services, concert production and the annual, international NewSong performance and songwriting competition. Its presenting partners include Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York, NPR’s Mountain Stage and the ASCAP Music Café at the Sundance Film Festival. www.newsong-music.com