Songwriters Showcase and Special Performance by Marc-Alan Barnette

The Cartersville Songwriter's Exchange hosted a songwriters showcase last night at Antonino's Restaurant featuring four talented local songwriters, Rick McKee, Denise Barker, Jules Bloeth and Randy Owens. The event took place in the room upstairs in Antonino's. It was a very comfortable place in which to enjoy music, with better acoustics and more comfortable chairs than the City Cellar where the Cartersville Songwriters had been meeting. The food was very good too, I really enjoyed the chicken Antonino that I split with Kathy.

The Evening began with the songwriters showcase. All four performers were on the stage at the same time, accompanying one another as each took a turn to play one of their original songs. Each performer had a chance to play three songs. There was a good crowd on hand of about fifty people, and the audience was appreciative of the great music and enthusiastic performances.

Afterwards, Marc Alan Barnette really put on a great show. Marc is a Nashville based singer/songwriter/teacher who has written songs such as Shelby Lynne's Blood in my Alchohol Level and Georgia Country artist, John Berry's Rescued Me. Marc will be conducting a songwerteres workshop today at 10:00 AM. The workshop includes segments on song creation, presentation, live performance, demos, networking, building the songwriter's community locally, and the business elements of publishing and record deals. For information on future workshops, contact JulesBloeth@Sonramp.com or denise.songwriter@yahoo.com.

Singer-Songwriter Shawn Haney's Passion for Performance

Last night I got a chance to see Shawn Haney perform at the Mellow Mushroom on Chastain Rd. Shawn is a prolific singer-song who frequently plays at various venues and open mics around metro-Atlanta. Shawn was the entertainment for a three hour block of time. He has an extensive repertoire of covers and original material, and Shawn pulls them off quite well. He has managed to keep his repertoire fresh by learning newer music like hits from Coldplay and Five for Fighting. For those of us who still like the classics, Shawn usually includes hits by iconic singer-songwriters and classic rock mainstays such as The Beatles, James Taylor, Neil Young and Steely Dan.

I really enjoy Shawn's own material as well. He writes and sings with an enthusiasm and optimism that is unique. Shawn's music is full of surprises. It is unique in its deviation from the typical formulaic sound that is far too easy for the songwriter to rely upon to quickly turn out new songs that lack originality and creative innovation. Shawn believes in having faith in your gifts and never giving up on your dreams. He hopes to have some songs sent to tv and film placements, and is working on making and completing a solo singer/songwriter record within the year.

To hear Shawn's music, check out his page on Reverbnation, http://www.reverbnation.com/show/4096237#!/shawnmhaney.