Susquehanna Folk Festival Emerging Artist Showcase
About This Event:
Congratulations to The Honey Badgers, who took top honors in our 2024 Emerging Artist Showcase. And congratulations and many thanks to our other finalists too: it was a close contest!
Congratulations to The Honey Badgers, who took top honors in our 2024 Emerging Artist Showcase. And congratulations and many thanks to our other finalists too: it was a close contest!
Special thanks go out to our judges: JJ Sheffer, Jess Hayden and Rick Russell (and special thanks to Ian Zolitor for filling in at the last minute) to showcase coordinator Sara Willard Lee to generous donors who provided the $1000 prize and to the Showcase Committee, and all the folks who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this event a success.
Congratulations to The Honey Badgers!
The Honey Badgers are known for their sparkling harmonies, honest lyrics, and undeniable chemistry on and off stage. Weaving their voices together with Michael’s driving guitar and Erin’s wistful violin, they spin stories and songs about finding yourself, finding each other, and finding your way in the world. They were recently voted #1 “Most Wanted” at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist Showcase 2023.
And to our other finalists...
Joseph Alton Miller
With a focus on American roots/folk music, singer-songwriter Joseph Alton Miller strives to bridge the gap separating the many genres that make up the American sound. He has been recording and touring for almost two decades as a solo artist, sharing stages with acts such as Brandi Carlile, Living Color, Railroad Earth, and Richard Shindell (Cry, Cry, Cry).
Dann Pell
Dann Pell is a singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist from Chester County, PA who makes meditative folk music in the spirit of Bob Dylan and Iron & Wine, with an occasional psychedelic flare reminiscent of Steve Gunn and Kurt Vile.
Erin Lunsford
Erin Lunsford is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, banjo, piano) originally from Fincastle, VA and now located in Richmond, VA. Best known as the front-woman, lead vocalist and lyricist in touring indie-pop/soul band Erin & The Wildfire, her vocals have been described as soulful, expressive, and powerhouse.
Red Smith & Blue Dawn
Red Smith and Blue Dawn rise to the occasion! Red Smith is a powerful vocalist and songwriter with a driving guitar to match. Supporting trio Blue Dawn is Shelly Monroe on bass, Matt Zuckerman on dobro, and Joe Perloff on mandolin. This group blurs genre lines, channeling traditional bluegrass, country, rock n roll, folk and blues all with a unique spin.
Our judges were:
JJ Sheffer
JJ is director of enroot, a portfolio of arts and humanities programs that include PechaKucha Night York, York Story Slam, and Kable House Presents. She also serves on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the steering committee for the Women's Giving Circle of York County Community Foundation.
Rick Russell
Rick is a co-owner of The Englewood in Hershey, PA: a restaurant, brewery and live music venue in a renovated 1861 dairy barn. Rick is a musician who currently plays guitar with the alternative country band, Hockersville Station and lives in Hershey with his wife and two sons.
Dustin LeBlanc
Dustin is Managing Director of the West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland, PA, and a driving force in the Central PA theater arts scene. One of his goals is intentional inclusivity: expanding programming and outreach to welcome and engage everyone in the community.
Jess Hayden
Jess retired as Executive Director of SFMS in December 2021, after 20 years of growing the organization and its Concert Series. Jess is a lifelong musician and folk dancer, world traveler, and runner of many, many marathons.
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