Roaming Reviews

Paul Maxwell announced the Winners of the ’09 Waterloo Songwriters Competition at Maxwell’s Music House. Winners were announced last night after the final performances. August 16th, 2009. And the winners are…

Photo courtesy Bob Nolan

Maxwells Music House hosted their first songwriters’ competition with sessions being held on Sunday evenings over the months of July and August. The 24 initial entrants were required to submit a short bio, a picture and 2 songs.

The competition was free to enter and singer/songwriters were judged on the basis of originality, performance and song structure. Judges included music industry professionals, sponsors and media folk.

“It is young, marketable talent that we are looking for from this competition”, states venue owner Paul Maxwell on the suspenseful final evening, while serving a full house of customers and emceeing the competition.

Catering to musicians of all skill levels, Maxwell’s Music House offers Lessons, Jam Spaces, and Group Workshops that specifically promote artistic growth and development.

Mandippal Jandu of Cambridge Ontario received 4th place and a featured paid gig in the Waterloo Uptown Square.

3rd place went to Todd Donald of K/W. Todd is currently producing his third album and has recently won the K/W Arts Award.

Zubin Thakkar aka Prize Fighter, placed second to Grand Prize and first place winner Mr. Chris Miller of now Toronto.

Judges for the night of the finals were singer-songwriter Matt York, SOCAN member James Leacock and Arts and Entertainment Writer, Colin Hunter.

1st place winner Chris Miller received $1000 cash and a host of surprises, including his final live performance portrait painted by Laurie Wonfor Nolan, side-stage.

A $50 gift certificate to Mill Street Brewery was available to each of the finalists.

Chris Miller performed his final set, solo, not realizing the finalists could utilize the additional support of a band or back up musicians. Though not appearing nervous at all, Chris humored the audience as he frequently interchanged guitars to show his diversity and adaptability in stage presence.

Chris Miller’s songs were structured with a great vocal range of melodies, lyrics and choruses that reminded me [and most others] of the quirks and fumbles of Bob Dylan and Woodie Guthrie.

No one really noticed Miller’s amplifier feedback or his eye glasses sliding, it was part of the performance. Chris Miller’s set list consisted of “The Ballad of Jack and Jill”, “The King” and “You’re Probably Right”.

Local commercial artist, Laurie Wonfor Nolan produced live performance acrylic paintings of each of the finalists while they performed on stage. The proceeds from the silent auction will benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Sometimes it pays to go solo. Kudos.

Mandippal Jandu - http://www.myspace.com/mandippal
Todd Donald - http://www.myspace.com/todddonald
Zubin Thakkar - http://www.myspace.com/prizefighterrock
Chris Miller - http://www.myspace.com/christopherjmiller

Many thanks to all that contributed and or sponsored the event in support of local live music.

bluecowphoto.ca
lwnpaintings.fotopic.net

maxwellsmusichouse.ca
220 King Street N.
Waterloo, ON

This entry was posted by roamer on Monday, August 17th, 2009 at 9:39 pm. It is filed under Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.