WAYNESBORO– The Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro is presenting the Cumberland Valley Songwriters Festival Saturday, October 8, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Mainstreet Park. The event features ten accomplished songwriters from the tri-state area. Rough Edges Brewery and food trucks will also be available for concession purchases. Admission is free.
Descriptions of songwriters provided by Music Makers.
Songwriters include:
David “Dancin’ Dave” Dishneau, of Hagerstown, Md., has been writing songs for about 10 years, following a long career in journalism. He’s a storyteller.
-John Dolly, of Arendtsville, Pa., writes powerful songs that often touch on personal topics and social issues. He’s also the drummer for rock band Pale Barn Ghosts.
-Bob Courter, of Waynesboro, Pa., plays guitar with the jazz trio Prophets of the Abstract Truth. His songs stretch musical boundaries and defy categorization.
-Nik Wiesniewski, of Waynesboro, Pa., is a popular performer at area wineries and pubs. He has a rhythmic, modern sound and life-affirming lyrics.
-Kam Stewart, of Hagerstown, Md., takes inspiration from folk, rock and pop music. He’s been gigging about a year, and is working on recording his many originals.
-Elly Cooke, of Gettysburg, Pa., sings her heartfelt songs with a country lilt and a big guitar. Winner of Franklin County’s 2017 A Cappella & Unplugged contest, she sang onstage with Keith Urban at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa., in 2016.
-Doug Alan Wilcox, of Hagerstown, Md., combines masterful guitar work with soulful vocals, making him a favorite at festivals and house concerts throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. A singer-songwriter in the classic style, he records on his own Wednesday Morning Records label.
-Brian Shermeyer, of Waynesboro, Pa., is a keyboardist, singer and songwriter who blends his jazz, funk and rock roots into original compositions. A world traveler, musically, physically and spiritually.
-Jennie Avila, of Hagerstown, Md., is a magnetic performer who has recorded six solo albums, including a children’s CD and two collections of songs inspired by Civil War stories. She uses her agile voice and percussive rhythms to stir the soul.
-Thomas Roue, of Gettysburg, Pa., is the leader of the Pale Barn Ghosts, a folk-rock band with a dark side and a handful of brilliant albums. He describes their music as “atmospheric, shoegaze, indie guitar meets Americana folk-rock for short attention spans.”
