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A total of 20 semi-finalists were announced today as part of the Strathmore Regional Round of the 2005 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, presented by Performing Songwriter Magazine, one of the nation’s leading contests for emerging singer-songwriters in all genres of music. The Strathmore Regional Round was open only to residents of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
The Strathmore Regional Round semi-finalists are:
Bill Mulroney – Ashton, MD
Carmen Calhoun – Washington, DC
Coyote Run – Williamsburg, VA
Daniel Lee – Oakton, VA
David A. Alberding – Hagerstown, MD
Greg Vickers – Reston, VA
jesse palidofsky – Takoma Park, MD
John Ireland – Fairfax, VA
Kemp Harris – Washington , DC
Laura Baron – Bethesda, MD
Leah Morgan – McLean, VA
Marna Bales Band – Chesterfield, VA
Meghan Hayes – Arlington, VA
Michael Thomas Cash – Maurertown, VA
Mike Holden – Arlington, VA
Nelson Emokpae – Baltimore, MD
Nikki Rouse & Suburban Blues – Germantown, MD
Paul Iwancio – Baltimore, MD
Robin Wynn – Charlottesville, VA
Zoe Mulford – Greenbelt, MD
The Strathmore Regional Round semi-finalists go on to compete in a semi-final round at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 18, in the Mansion at Strathmore, in Bethesda, Maryland. Performing songwriters chosen by judges at that event move on to a Regional Round finals June 19 at the Music Center at Strathmore. The top winner chosen that day becomes a finalist in the national NewSong contest and will compete in the national finals during the Mountain Stage NewSong Festival, Aug. 24 to 28, at the festival’s new home in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
The NewSong Contest Regional Round at Strathmore is co-sponsored by the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA), the Songwriters Association of Washington (SAW), the Baltimore Songwriters Association (BSA), and FOCUS. The June 19 finals are part of a daylong series of events that conclude with a 7 p.m. Mountain Stage NewSong Showcase, featuring Guy Clark, Loudon Wainwright III, Last Train Home, Michael Penn and other acts to be announced. The Mountain Stage show with host Larry Groce will be taped live for international broadcast on more than 200 radio and TV stations worldwide, XM Satellite Radio and the Voice of America.
- WAMA NEWS
An acoustic plethora of good ol'
folk country blues with heart, this debut album will both break your heart and lift it to heights you didn't know it could reach. A mix of covers and original compositions, Michael sounds like a cross between Lyle Lovett, Roger Miller, Hank Williams Jr., and Johnny Cash all rolled up into one delightful package. . . . Give a listen and prepare for a roller coaster ride of emotions as you treat your ears to this compendium of musical delights. Michael Thomas Cash is Kelly's pick for the month of December!
Reviewed by Kelly Lenihan - CoffeHouseTours.com
Acoustic guitar driven, this CD has a down-home country feel to it. . . . Cash could easily play at any country or blues spot and win the crowd. . . .this CD has a lot of potential - http://www.unsignedmusicmagazine.com
Michael Thomas Cash . . .doesn’t need a lot of “bells and whistles” to pull off his compositions. He goes back to the roots of country and blue grass and delves into the heart of what makes country music so infectious. When listening to Cash’s songs one would think that he’s a one-man show, but his band is so beautifully composed that it sounds like one fluid movement. . . . .
Michael Thomas Cash doesn’t need complicated rhythms or driving lyrics to get his point across. The beauty of artists like Cash is their passion for music and understanding of life’s lessons. The purity of their composure breathes life back into the contemporary music discourse, with a hint of good old-fashioned melancholy and raw guitar playing.
- http://www.northeastintune.com/index.php?bd=reg&sb=land&article=030620
"Sweet and mesmerizing riffs accompanied with a relaxed and poignant voice, Michael Thomas Cash can melt into many hearts with his acoustic folk blend. Wonderful songwriting is displayed here and it shows that Michael has not wasted any time perfecting his craft. Every song is engrossing and very well written. Hitting home with the singer songwriter mode this Cat can blues it up nicely as well." - Catsask
Discography
"Dancing My Name"
"Con & Cash"
Photos
Bio
Michael had just about given up on the music business when he met Mary Chapin Carpenter in the 80's before she became famous. She and a bunch of others who hung out and played at Gallagher's Pub in Washington, DC inspired him to test the waters again. He did by playing the open mics around town, honing his chops. Michael had been playing in bars and churches and coffee houses most of his life. He met Ricky Wilkins when he moved to the Shenandoah Valley in the mid 80's and would sit in with him whenever a chance presented itself. They kept in touch over the years. When Ricky open the Hungy Dog Cafe in the first part of this century, Michael and various others played there often and formed musical bonds. All of them like playing together and enjoy the music they make as much as the fans. Michael had promised his son that he would make a CD someday. When Ricky encouraged him to do it and opened a studio to do it in, the resulting debut CD was "Dancing My Name" - which received a readers award from Kweevak Music Magazine as on of the top 35 Music Projects in 2005. Michael also was selected as a semifinalist by the 2005 Mountain Stage New Song Festival. Recently he joined with Con Burch, a amazing vocal stylist, as Con & Cash. The duo disbanded in 2009 and Michael is back doing solo acts.
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