Oak Ridge Today

Two songwriters advance in state contest

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Image courtesy Explore Oak Ridge

Two songwriters from Oliver Springs and Nashville will advance in a state competition after qualifying in Oak Ridge on Wednesday.

The two songwriters who advanced were Rachel McIntyre-Smith of Oliver Springs and Sam Hatmaker of Nashville. They were selected from a field of 20 contestants in a qualifying round at Oakey’s Bar and Grill in Oak Ridge on Wednesday, February 8.

“Each competitor was judged based on their overall performance, originality, and connection to the audience,” Explore Oak Ridge said in a press release.

The songwriters played their original compositions before a panel of expert judges and an audience of supporters. The judges’ panel featured a mix of musicians and songwriters from the area representing various musical genres and expertise, including former “American Idol” finalist Janelle Arthur.

[Read more…]

Singer, songwriter Peter Mayer to play in Oak Ridge on Friday

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Peter Mayer

Peter Mayer

Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Peter Mayer will play in Oak Ridge on Friday.

The concert by Mayer will start at 8 p.m. Friday, May 22, at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The concert was postponed in February due to winter weather. Tickets purchased at that time can be used for the new May 22 date. If unable to attend this rescheduled performance, please return tickets to ORUUC for a full refund, a press release said.

“Whimsical, humorous, and profound, (Mayer’s) music breaks the boundaries of ‘folk,’ and transcends to a realm beyond the everyday love song, to a place of wonder at the very fact of life itself,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Coffeehouse features local talent, new guitar class to benefit Free Medical Clinic

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Nicolas Cagle

Nicolas Cagle

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Guitars are being restrung, duos are reuniting, and vocal chords are being stretched yet again for the first coffeehouse of the summer.

Coffeehouse veteran Nicolas Cagle is especially excited to be performing for this fundraising series, now in its third summer. A recent graduate from Clinton High School, Nic wins over audiences with his big personality and vocal style. His vocal sound is unique in that he has a crooning quality that some say is reminiscent of ’50s great Buddy Holly.

Nic will be attending the University of Tennessee Knoxville in the fall, and plans on devoting much of his summer to not only performing at the coffeehouses, but teaching a new generation of performers as well at First Presbyterian Church.

An accomplished songwriter and guitarist, Nic will be leading a free guitar class for the next three weeks from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for young performers. Just as the swing dancing initiative last summer was created to give high school and college students another creative outlet and place to gather, the guitar workshop hopes to do the same. [Read more…]

Singer, songwriter plays free show at Community Coffee Café today

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Singer and songwriter Brad Austin will play a free concert tonight (Saturday) at Community Coffee Café in Oak Ridge.

The show starts at 9.m. The café is at 32 N. Jefferson Circle.

Austin is a Knoxville folk and Christian pop musician who will support 555 with tonight’s show and debut songs for his new album, a press release said.  It will be his first Oak Ridge show in three years. [Read more…]

Namoli Brennet in concert at Unitarian Universalist Church

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Namoli Brennet

Namoli Brennet

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Dubbed “one of the best folk-rock artists in the country,” transgender artist Namoli Brennet will be in concert at 7 p.m. Friday at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church.

The church is located at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Tickets are $12 or $10 for students and may be purchased at the door or online at www.oruuc.org/events/. [Read more…]