New Jersey Folk FestivalFestival's Singer-Songwriter Showcase 2009

The New Jersey Folk Festival, the oldest continuously held folk festival in New Jersey, will host its fifteenth annual Singer/Songwriter Showcase during the 35th annual festival on Saturday April 25, 2009 on the sprawling grounds of the Eagleton Institute on the Douglass campus of Rutgers, the State University, in New Brunswick, NJ.

While the primary focus of the NJFF is on indigenous folk forms passed down via family, home, and community traditions, we like to recognize regional folk artists in an effort to foster and encourage these "new" folk singer/songwriters in our contemporary society. Should you be selected, you will be afforded the opportunity to present your original material to a large, diversified audience of more than 12,000 attendees.

This day-long FREE, not-for-profit event features three stages of music, dance, workshops, crafts, children's activities and food. Judging will be done by an impartial panel and will be based on originality of lyrics and melody, as well as vocal quality. Six artists will be selected to perform 20 minute sets each on the festival's Shore Stage, will receive a $50 honorarium and will be included in the festival program. Three slots are for Sonicbids artists.

Artists will also be allowed to sell CDs and distribute information at the festival's Folk Marketplace, with the artist retaining 100% of the profits from sales. Genres accepted include all traditional folk and traditional Americana.

Please note: This contest is open to singer/songwriters who have never before performed at the New Jersey Folk Festival. Your entries must reflect original words and music, no instrumentals. Each artist must submit music and lyrics for three songs. All songs on the entry must be sung by the author. No residency restrictions apply. Artists must agree to and be able to appear at the New Jersey Folk Festival to retain status as a winner.