Jeff Cheen - 2010 Singer-songwriter showcase
Gathered at Elwood's Music Hall Thursday night were six talented singer-songwriters representing the finest musical talent found within Charlotte and the surrounding region. Live music, local artists, original material performed by those who authored it! The talented folks I'm referring to are Summers (Winston-Salem), Janet Barnes, Jennifer Spengler, Paul Atkinson, The Cloers, and Jeff Luckadoo.
Given the level of craftsmenship and artistry found in this group of six, winning this "competition" speaks volumes for the level of the prevailing artists performance and songwriting talent. As the night came to a conclusion I truly had no idea who would win as there was no "clear" winner - or it could easily be said that each are truly winners. In fact I did not at all envy the task of the judges. The good news is that there were four judges, each from diverse backgrounds but all with knowledge of music and its business attributes. And the collection of their input results in the selection of a "winner". This years selection for the Charlotte Music Awards Best Singer-Songwriter is John & Cate Cloer (The Cloers).
Photos of the nights performances.
Paul Atkinson - 2010 Singer-Songwriter showcase
Hailing from Blues Creek, Summers started the evening off with very smooth vocals and songs with an island flair. He closed with a song titled "Hear The Way Your Talkin'" - one of my personal favorites on the night. It also featured a solid lead guitar solo. A really cool talent with a unique sound that I'm hoping will make further appearances on the stages within Charlotte.
The second performance was by Janet Barnes of China Grove, NC. After spending many years in Nashville working in the music business and honing her skills as a singer and songwriter, Janet has recently returned to North Carolina to spend time with family. She has also formed a band named "The One With The Girl". Janet started off with a country sounding tune with catchy lyrics called "That's Why I Love You". She followed that with a sweet ballad titled "Mrs. Johnson" which she had written as her first demo in Nashville in 1992. She described her third song as being about getting roses from a guy when roses aren't quite enough. "Beside Me" was her next song and is the story about the comfort and confidence of finding love and fear of the impact of losing it. Janet closed with her BMG International recording and the first of her songs she heard played on the radio - "Momma He'll Do, But He Won't Do Right". This was a very enjoyable set of Janet's song-writing, supported by bandmate Tim Mizenhammer(sp?).
The next songwriter to take the stage was Paul Atkinson. A local musician & singer-songwriter; an organizer of the "Charlotte Performing Artists Association"; host of Paul Atikinson & Friends - a talent night held at the Evening Muse every third Wednesday of the month. Paul's first song was "Maggie May I". The first thing that strikes you when Paul begins to sing is the power of his vocals and the passion in his words. The emotion of the story is held within his words and rings in your ears. It's easy to drift into the song along with Paul. Paul followed this with his crowd pleasing "Sweet Caroline". Another emotional song of love and longing for home. His third tune was "Old Town" - a song written about a place in your mind that you get trapped in. You try to escape, but always return to... Paul followed this with the fast placed ballad about life, aging, and love titled "Mellow Down". Paul closed his set with a soul touching song of well wishes which I believe is titled "May You Be". Paul Atkinson put his best foot forward in his performance and did himself, his family and Charlotte proud. Certainly a very talented singer-songwriter whom all of Charlotte needs to hear.
The next performer to take the stage was Jennifer Spengler of Statesville. She started her set off with a tune titled "Maybe Not". A little nervous at first, as Jennifer settled into her song she relaxed and showed some real vocal ability with changes in tone and inflection. Her second song was a tune about being true to oneself. As she progressed through the song, her vocal abilities really started to get the attention of the audience. The side conversations began to fade as attention really focused on the performance being delivered on the stage. A very powerful voice was on display - even as the nerves continued. Jennifer followed this with a song she has recently written titled "Allright". She described it as "one of those let go & let God songs". A song of deep spirituality - of opening ones heart "like a flower" and trusting that things will be allright. A song of inspiration. Jennifer closed with a song she had written for the event titled "Over Again". A song with hints of theatre, of change of pace, reflective of challenge and infused with a lyrical set of twists at a pace which will challenge the listener to keep up. Certainly a fun number. Jennifer may have been least known of the artists performing tonight but she probably made the most positive of impressions. Going from fan response of "Who?" to "man she's talented" in the space of four songs is a testiment to what she achieved this night..
The Cloers @ the Singer-songwriter Showcase
The fifth performance was the husband/wife duo (John & Cate) The Cloer's of Davidson, NC. Known throughout the Charlotte region and supporting members of our local music scene and songwriters association The Cloer's opened with a song titled "Make Me Cry". A song about truth in intimacy with deep, meaningful, and real communications when you truly care. Their next song was introduced by John. It's titled "I'm Moving On" - a song about those times when big moments come to an end such as a graduation or things similar. The vision in my head while listening to Cate sing the song was that of background music to a TV show or Movie as a high school girl graduates and begins a new chapter in life and has to leave those things behind which have been held dear up until now.. Yeah I know its cheesy, but Cate's voice does that to you when you're really paying attention/ Just sayin'.. The Cloer's third song was titled "I Want To Say" - a song about taking chances and risks in order to move forward and not waste time wondering about "what if".. The message - I want to say that I gave it all and achieved everything I wanted to without regrets. There's power and a message in the Cloer's music - it's hard not to get caught up in it. The Cloers closed their set with a powerful song titled "It's Doesn't Mean Anything". A heart-string tugging number about a love ending - "when you tell me you love me, it doesn't mean anything". Putting these four songs together and delivering them with the emotion, power, and grace that the Cloer's possess is the story of their selection as 2010's Best Singer-Songwriter at this Charlotte Music Awards showcase.
The last performance of the night featured the 2009 winner of the Country Music Showcase and Country Artist of the Year at the 2009 Red Carpet Event - Jeff Luckadoo of Mount Holly, NC. Jeff opened with a slow emotive song about a soldier who'd been there and done that and just wants to come home - "On That Mountain". Jeff followed that with "Carolina Blue" - a song about coming home to Carolina after having been away for a while. Jeff's third song was a spiritual number co-authored with Julia Dixon titled "Missing You Right Now". Fourth in this set was a very special song to Jeff titled "Ten Feet Tall". A song that's a tribute to his father and the wonderful man that he is to Jeff and his brothers. This song has special meaning to a lot of us who were fortunate enough to have grown up with a strong male roll model around us to show us the quiet strength of a gentleman, teach us the ways of the world, and what it means to honor our southern graces. Jeff honored his father who was in the audience with it tonight. Jeff closed his set with "Can You Hear Me Now" a song that serves as an anthem like country song that features the powerful vocals that Jeff brings to the stage. An excellent conclusion to his set - closing strong!
Link to Photos of the nights performances....
A wonderful night of music at Elwood's Music Hall. Congratulations to The Cloer's on their recognition resulting from their performance this night. Truly talented singer-songwriters all.
Keepin' it Live....
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