“I
had the most wonderful time. Thank you for having me in the
festival, it is an experience I shall never forget. I fell in
love with Belfast and all the new friends I made. Thanks so much
for an unforgettable week in Belfast”
“I
truly had a wonderful time and I can’t say enough about the
hospitality you showed us. I think the event was a wonderful
success”
Nashville songwriter Peter Adzima.
“It
was lovely to meet you all and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get
along to the other gigs which I heard were brilliant”
BBC Radio Ulster presenter, Cherrie McIlwaine.
“Thanks for a great couple of days and congrats on a job really
well done”
Irish singer-songwriter Charlie McGettigan.
“I
think I speak for everyone when I say the festival was a wonderful
event. I honestly thought it was perfect. We had everything we
needed and nothing was forgotten or ignored by you and the Panarts
team”
Nashville recording artist, Garry Jackson.
“Congratulations on your hugely successful first festival. The
workshops were very informative, inspiring and entertaining. PS…
I’ve already written a new song since last week…I told you I was
inspired”
Eilidh Patterson,
local singer-songwriter with a very big future.
“It
was indeed an honour to be on stage with such performers; a lovely
crowd of people”
Singer-songwriter Briege Murphy.
“I
attended 90% of the events and the festival was about atmosphere,
music and enjoyment. For a first year of any event, I think it
passed all expectations”
The theme of our 1st
annual Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival
was:
‘A
NEW LIFE IN THE NEW WORLD… songs of emigration to America’ &
PEOPLE AND PLACES IN SONG
For the
first time, writers were invited to compose a song with a specific
theme using one of three languages:
Best
Song in English
Best
Song in Ulster-Scots
Best
Song in Irish
Winning songs were recorded ‘Live’ at the festival and audio clips
hosted on the Panarts web site:
www.panarts.org.ukSongwriters
will receive awards to make a demo CD and recording artists/publishers
in the music business will be invited to listen to winning songs. The
skills and talents of local artists will reach a new audience on the
World Wide Web, thus furthering their career and encouraging creative
writing.
Guest International
Professional Songwriter/Local Songwriters
Panarts brought a guest professional songwriter from Nashville to perform at
the festival. The songwriter also delivered a series of workshops at CAF in The Cathedral Quarter with four Laganside Local Communities from
East, West, North and South Belfast and work in different community
centres.
BENITA HILL
Benita has penned two number one hits for
Garth Brooks and has had her songs recorded by, among
others, Isaac Hayes and Kirk Whalum, Billy Joe Royal and
Billy ‘Crash’ Craddock. Early in her career Benita toured
with Conway Twitty and was also backing vocalist for the
Allman Brothers Band and Waylon Jennings. Her first CD,
‘Fan the Fame’ established her as a silky-voiced stylist and
hit songwriter. She has recorded Brendan Graham’s song
‘Winter Fire and Snow’ on her latest album of the same name.
www.benitahill.com
BUDDY MONDLOCK
Buddy lives in Nashville and his songs have
been recorded by many well known artists including Nanci
Griffiths, Janis Ian, Garth Brooks, and Guy Clark. Recently
he collaborated with the legendary Art Garfunkel and Maia
Sharp to produce the album ‘Everything Waits to be
Noticed’. As Nanci Griffith’s said ‘Buddy Mondlock
represents the best of the new generation of
singer/songwriters. His writing style is grounded in the
traditions of the past, but has it’s heart in the present He
is one of my favourite writers.’www.buddymondlock.com
DANA COOPPER
Based in Nashville, Dana’s songs have been
recorded by top- notch artists Jonell Mosser, Maura
O’Connell, Susan Werner and Jen Cohen. His highly original
lyrics, skillful guitar work and evocative vocals have
earned him a devoted following with fans and critics
alike. Maura O Connell said ‘I first heard Dana’s records
in Ireland and have been singing his songs ever since. His
songs are powerful with a thread of poetry through them and
I love his percussive style of guitar playing’
www.danacoopermusic.com
BAP KENNEDY
After his Energy Orchard days, Bap went to
Nashville where his friend Steve Earle produced his first
solo offering, the critically acclaimed ‘Domestic Blues’
featuring a stellar cast of Nashville musicians and included
vocal contributions from Nanci Griffiths. The album made
number eight on the Billboard Americana chart and Bap
emerged as a serious contender. On Saturday the 19th
February at the Empire Bar, Bap will launch his much-awaited
new CD ‘The Big Picture’.
www.bapkennedy.com
