2026 Songwriter Showcase

The Songwriter Showcase honors emerging, independent songwriters at the 36th Rocky Mountain Folks Festival (August 7-9). This contest is open to artists who write and perform original music and are not currently signed to a major recording or publishing deal. Ten finalists will be selected to perform on the Festival’s main stage and take part in an intimate in-the-round session at the Wildflower Pavilion. All finalists receive festival tickets with camping, a cash prize, and the chance to share their music with the Festivarian community. The winner will receive a brand-new Taylor Guitar and a featured spot on the 2027 Folks Festival lineup. Past winners include: Liz Longley, Megan Burtt, Korby Lenker, and Martin Gilmore. Explore the Contest Rules and Scoring Criteria for more details.

Congratulations to the following songwriters:

Songwriters listed in alphabetical order

Finalists

These finalists will perform live in the contest finals at the Festival

Branlin Shockey

“The Road”

Blue Springs, MO

China Kent

“I Will Plant a Garden”

Lakewood, CO

Grace Morrison

“This Side of the Window”

Rochester, MA

Ingrid Avison

“Great Migration”

Nederland, CO

Jason David Hicks

“These Old Hands”

Lyons, CO

Joel Van Horne

“Towards The Shine”

Denver, CO

Logan Vath

“Young, In Love, and In the Way”

Norfolk, VA

Lyndy Butler

“The Good Fight ”

Hurricane, UT

Pamela Machala

“I Should Know Better”

Lafayette, CO

Stephanie Sammons

“Lone Coyote”

Dallas, TX

Alternates

1st Alternate:

Andrew Pauls — “New Pledge”

2nd Alternate:

TAI SHAN — “Backing Band Boyfriend”

Honorable Mentions

Alex Woodbury — “Head On”

Brad Yoder — “Astronauts”

Darren Garvey — “Paper Rose”

David Tiller — “Polyamorous Polly Ann”

Hilary Tipps — “Love Letter”

Kat Lane — “Love Underground”

Kate Waters — “Mother, Daughter”

Lauren Wanamaker — “Face to Face”

Philip Bowen — “Lazarus Today”

Rachael Sage — “Belong To You”

Sara Beth Go — “Little White Pill”

Ziona Riley — “Lydia”

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