In an effort to be fair and unbiased, I just took people’s bios from their sites or online. It probably wouldn’t be fair if I gave my own rundown…so anyway, meet the nominees:
Ian Fitzgerald- Though perhaps technically a singer-songwriter, Ian Fitzgerald prefers the term folk singer. While “singer-songwriter” carries with it the negative connotations brought on by too many over-emotive, heart-on-their-sleeve performers, “folk singer” points more accurately to the tradition in which Ian’s music is rooted. From early twentieth century field recordings through Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Gillian Welch, and hundreds of artists in between, Ian has been influenced by one of the sturdiest strains of American music. http://www.ianfitzgerald.com/
Will Houlihan- Haunt the House comes from a quiet place. With members from all over the small state of Rhode Island, Haunt the House has already made a big impact on the local and regional music scene. Based in the woods of Charlestown, Rhode Island, songwriter Will Houlihan first caught the attention of the Rhode Island music scene in 2013 with the release of his solo EP, “Rural Introspection Study Group”. Shortly after this release, Will conceived the idea for his first full-length release – a love triangle between two people, one of whom has a split personality. His idea would grow into the 2014 release, “Jack Rabbit Jones.” http://hauntthehouse.bandcamp.com/
Dan Blakeslee- While attending art school in Baltimore, Maryland Dan Blakeslee, a Maine native discovered that he had an equal and deeply rooted connection to music. He would sneak into the galleries to play his guitar through the late hours of the evening surrounded by easels and oil paintings. After four years in “Charm City” he returned to his childhood home in the Tatnic Woods of South Berwick, ME. That summer he played street corners in New Hampshire and Maine while working at a lobster restaurant. His employer urged him to sever ties to manual labor for one of a more musical nature. A phone call from a friend offering him a room in Somerville, MA began his journey south in 1995. While settling into this artful community he began to practice his craft in the smoke laden subways of Boston. He now has been making music and art in the New England region ever since, leading him to tour the U.S. and abroad. http://danblakeslee.com/
Jake Hill-Jake Hill is a common laborer and singer/songwriter from Plymouth, Massachusetts who has dedicated his life to the writing of as many of the best songs he can. He has written and recorded 6 LP’s and 3 Ep’s in his 10 year career. “People ask me how I write so many songs” says the 30 year old Hill at a local sandwich shop. “I tell um the same thing everytime: eat the most expensive sandwiches you can afford, read a lot, and try to nap daily” http://jakehillmusic.com/about/
Will Dailey- Will Dailey is an acclaimed recording and performing artist, who is a three-time winner of the Boston Music Award for Best Singer/Songwriter. In June of 2013 he was featured on a Stephen King/John Mellencamp project produced by T Bone Burnett called Ghost Brothers Of Darkland County and also released an original song he wrote inspired by Jack Kerouac’s Tristessa. In September of 2013 he played his fourth Farm Aid Concert along side Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews and John Mellencamp and in November finished up a 9 city tour of France. Dailey’s music has been featured on over 50 TV programs and films. The first single from his new album National Throat, due out later in 2014, is already a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. Rock journalist Steve Morse said recently, “Will Dailey’s pop smarts, his dedication to detail, and his soul-inflected voice are just what we need right now to restore belief in music. His new songs are personal epiphanies with a universal appeal.” http://willdailey.com/
Dietrich Strause – Since moving to Boston in 2008, Dietrich has been touring the East Coast, the West, and Ireland, honing his craft as a songwriter and performer. He has also been fortunate to share the stage and the road with Aoife O’Donovan, The David Wax Museum, and Ben Sollee, among many others. He moved to Boston after attending Oberlin College because there was extra room in the van when he was helping his friend move into law school. He’s worked as a dog-walker, a subject in medical research studies, a construction worker, and recorded music for Chinese textbooks. All of this comes out in his own music. Strause grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in a family of Lutheran preachers, school teachers, and tree-enthusiasts. http://www.dietrichstrause.com/
Dennis Brennan -Dennis Brennan was born on the wrong side of the tracks in Marlboro, Massachusetts.
At age 9 he entered show business as Rumplestiltsken in a grammar school play. In 7th grade he performed “Louie Louie” with a local garage band at the Berlin, Ma. Town Hall and quickly evolved into “the lead singer”. His songs have been aquired for use in films and television, notably the movies “Copland”, “The Matthew Shepard Story”,”Clockwatchers”, and “Loveland”. The newest recording, “Engagement”, featuring both live recordings and studio recordings, has now been released on the Hi & Dry label. www.dennisbrennan.com/
Mark Whitaker – Mark Whitaker is a banjo-wielding singer/songwriter from Boston, MA. Shaped by years of narrowly escaping threats from hostile banjo naysayers, Mark’s innovative playing style is sure not to offend, and likely to be enjoyed. His music draws from a range of influences including folk, blues, pop, and bluegrass. With rich vocals and thoughtful lyrics, Mark’s songs offer a fresh and introspective take on everyday emotions, as well as heavier subjects like crisis, heartbreak, heartburn, and heart repair. http://www.markwhitakermusic.com/
YOUR VOICE MATTERS! VOTE TODAY! https://www.redlineroots.com/red-line-roots-big-reds-2014-4/