First-place songwriters The Vulcans:
Aaron Spangler, John Thomas and Nick Lindsay

The Susquehanna Folk Music Society recently held its Fourth Annual Songwriting Contest, this year sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. A panel of judges reviewed 40 submissions received from an impressive group of talented local songwriters. After a preliminary review, the top three contestants were selected to appear at the Susquehanna Folk Spring Coffeehouse.

At the coffeehouse, held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the Fort Hunter Barn in Harrisburg, each contestant got the opportunity to perform their song in front of an enthusiastic standing-room-only crowd. Audience vote determined their prize ranking:

• FIRST PLACE ($100 prize): "Someone I Used to Know" by Aaron Spangler, John Thomas and Nick Lindsay
• SECOND PLACE ($50 prize): "Anyway" by Jane Womack
• THIRD PLACE ($25 prize): "My Frank Sinatra" by Suzi Brown
• Runner-up: Lynn Royer's song "Temporary Dreams" was also selected as a finalist, but Lynn was unable to perform at the coffeehouse due to illness.

Spangler, Thomas and Lindsay’s band The Vulcans is known for its signature folk-rock sound characterized by close vocal harmonies, a mix of folk instruments including guitar, mandolin, banjo and harmonica, and percussive foot stomping. The group plays originals as well as covers by performers such as the Avett Brothers and Bob Dylan. "Someone I Used to Know" appears on the group's MySpace page, www.myspace.com/thevulcanspa.

The Susquehanna Folk Music Society wishes to thank all the contestants, the judges (Ralph Dahle, Tom Carl, Randy Zwally, Lisa Miller, John Sallade, and Val Steinman), contest coordinator Jim Richardson, and Highmark Blue Shield for its financial support.