(STILLWATER, Oklahoma / April 3, 2018) - Jason Scott’s “She Good to Me,” Sophia Babb’s “If I Were a Ghost,” Emily Faith’s “Silver Bullets,” and Ken Pomeroy’s “The Sidewalk Song” were selected from more than 40 entries as finalists in the inaugural Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest. Finalists will play their songs before a live audience on May 1st from 6:00-9:00pm at Willie’s Saloon, 323 S. Washington in Stillwater, for a chance to be selected as the overall winner, securing a spot in the lineup at Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café on May 2nd, a $500 cash prize and a $500 donation made in their name to the Red Dirt Relief Fund to support fellow Oklahoma musicians in crisis. The event at Willie’s is free and open to the public.
Jason Scott of Oklahoma City, Okla. is a multi faceted Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter, producer and owner of ON studios.
Sophia Babb of Oklahoma City, Okla. is a folk-singer, wayfarer, and writer from the heart of Oklahoma.
Emily Faith of Kingfisher, Okla. is a rising talent with credits including opening shows for President George W. Bush and Marty Stuart, as well as being a featured artist on Radio Disney.
Ken Pomeroy of Moore, Okla. is a 15-year-old singer/songwriter with a Folk Americana sound who received the Rising Star award from the Songwriters Association of Norman in 2016.
Finalists were selected by a panel of judges representing Red Dirt Relief Fund and the Jimmy LaFave Trust, including:
Eliza Gilkeyson is a 2-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and Austin-based activist who has become one of the most respected musicians in Folk, Roots and Americana circles.
Brad Piccolo is Vocalist/Guitar/Songwriter for Red Dirt Rangers and a current member of the Red Dirt Relief Fund Board of Directors.
Deana McCloud is Executive Director of the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Okla.
Carter Sampson is an Okie-born singer/songwriter with a big voice—the self-proclaimed “Queen of Oklahoma.”
The contest was open to Oklahoma songwriters who are unsigned without a current publishing deal.
The addition of the Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest comes after what many describe as the most moving moment in Gypsy Café history—when LaFave accepted the inaugural Restless Spirit award at last year’s festival “in recognition of a musician who has impacted the Oklahoma music community in a spirit akin to Bob Childers.” This contest highlights the spirit of mentorship and musical discovery that have become hallmarks of a festival that brings more than 50 Oklahoma songwriters together to perform for fans from around the region. The contest was created and underwritten by old friends honoring LaFave, with cooperation of the Jimmy LaFave Trust, in the way he most wanted to be remembered—for songwriting.
Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café festival tickets that allow access to all venues start at $20. A limited number of Reserved Seating VIP tickets are available for $50. Tickets, lineup and more information at www.reddirtreliefffund.org/gypsycafe. The festival benefits Red Dirt Relief Fund, a non-profit organization that provides a safety net of critical assistance to Oklahoma musicians. In 2017, the festival raised almost $20,000 for Oklahoma musicians in need. Since the Red Dirt Relief Fund was founded in 2012, the organization has provided over $80,000 to musicians across the state.
Visit reddirtrelieffund.org, friend Red Dirt Relief Fund on Facebook or follow @reddirtrelief for festival updates.
For more information, visit www.reddirtrelieffund.org/gypsycafe. For media or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Katie Dale at reddirtrelieffund@gmail.com or 918-407-4599.
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