Creating their own songs

<p>A group of talented local songwriters will take the stage in hopes of winning “Song of the Year” in the West Coast Songwriters North Bay Competition Playoffs, being held Wednesday, Aug. 5 at the Mystic Theatre.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>For the past 20 years, the West Coast Songwriters Association has hosted a competition designed to not only showcase the best songwriting talent, but also to offer support, advice from musicians in the industry and networking opportunities.</p><p>“There are 10 different venues where the monthly competition is held,” said Petaluma musician Jan White, who hosts the local competition. “There are nine venues in California and one in Oregon. Locally, it used to be held at Sweetwater Saloon in Mill Valley, but after it closed for a while, I thought about doing it here in Petaluma.”</p><p>This year, the monthly songwriter competitions have been held the third Wednesday of each month at La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge in Theatre Square. As a member of Petaluma Community Access, White has been filming the competitions, which have played at 5 p.m. Fridays on PCA Channel 27.</p><p>Winners of the monthly competition earned the chance to compete for the “Song of the Year” award at the upcoming playoffs. The finalists advancing to the playoffs are Stacy Keith, Mark Keller, David Luning, Giovanni Mandala, Sam Misner with Megan Smith, Jimmy James Page, Larry Potts and Tom Richardson.</p><p>In addition to competing for “Song of the Year,” three songwriters will be chosen to attend the West Coast Songwriters Conference, to be held in September in Los Altos.</p><p>“What’s most valuable for songwriters about participating is that it’s really about the craft of writing,” said White. “It’s also about perfecting your performance skills and networking with other musicians, and also the judges.”</p><p>The competition and playoffs feature judges working in the music industry who are able to offer insight and expert advice to participants, many of whom just starting out in songwriting.</p><p>“The judges are always top industry professionals who are very accomplished,” said White. “One of our judges is Andre deChennes, who is a musician and songwriting coach, and teaches classes. He’s also host of Thursday Night Live on the Crush radio station (KRSH-FM) in Sonoma County.”</p><p>Each of the competition finalists are being featured on the Thursday Night Live radio show on July 30. The winner of the “Song of the Year” award will make an additional appearance on the program.</p><p>“It’s another opportunity for them to promote themselves,” said White.</p><p>Competition judges also include Bill Cutler, who is a record producer for artists such as Jewel and Pride & Joy; vocal coach and producer Raz Kennedy; and Grammy-nominated songwriter Steve Seskin.</p><p>“The judges are able to give the contestants really good advice that can help them improve and make their songs better,” said White. “It’s been fun to watch the contestants grow and improve.”</p><p>The West Coast Songwriters Competition attracts performers of all ages, from children to senior citizens. White said the reason for this is because she strives to provide a safe place for beginning as well experienced songwriters to sharpen their skills.</p><p>“I want it to be a very supportive environment so that people feel comfortable,” said White. “Performing and singing a song you wrote yourself can be a very nerve-wracking thing. So far, we’ve had a good response from people wanting to participate. We’ve had people coming from as far as the South Bay and East Bay.”</p><p>In addition to songwriter finalists performing two original songs each at the Aug. 5 playoffs, the evening features performances by White and Cori and Amanda Wood with Scott Gerber.</p><p>The West Coast Songwriters North Bay Competition Playoffs begin at 7 p.m., with a ticket price of $5. For more information, call 766-9363 or visit www.westcoastsong writers.org.</p><p>(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@arguscourier. com)</p>