Fist, a heartfelt thanks to ALL of the talented musicians and songwriters who have participated in this year’s program! The dedication to your craft has continued to inspire us for the last quarter century.
And, a huge congratulations to this year’s finalists, who will join us in Asheville, NC, to perform, network and compete for the grand prize of the 25th annual NewSong Music Competition, presented by Citizen Vinyl and held Sunday, October 25 at The Grey Eagle.
Andrew Hoyt (Chicago, IL)
Andrew Hoyt is a full-time touring singer-songwriter blending folk, pop, and acoustic vibes into a sound that’s both warm and unique. His latest EP, Kind of Paradise, features songs co-written with acclaimed artists Matt Wertz and Andy Davis, weaving heartfelt lyrics with melodies that feel like sunshine and nostalgia. Andrew celebrated the release with a full-band show at The Basement in Nashville.
Artemis Montague (Rockville, MD)
Artemis Montague is a Producer, Musical Theatre Writer as well as the creator of the blog, “Reflections of a Life Renewed.” They have over 200 songs, one of which was a finalist for the 2022 Write Out Loud Contest (“friend”), received an AudioFemme Agenda Grant in May 2023 to record an EP of original music, and have released two songs – “could you (I’m yours)” and “gets none” – as an independent singer-songwriter.
Bad Hints (Lancaster, PA)
Bad Hints is the project of singer-songwriter Jes Plain, whose most recent single is “Action Potential.” Of the song, Jes writes, “On the day I wrote Action Potential, I played my guitar so loud it felt like it would swallow me whole. The words ‘wall of sound’ were always in my mind for this one.” Bad Hints released Pure Show in 2024, the single “Things in the Dark” last October, has an album release slated for November.
Jason Piquette (Black Mountain, NC)
Jason Piquette is an indie folk singer-songwriter from Florida, creating heartfelt songs that blend warm acoustic sounds with honest, reflective lyrics. His music explores themes of hope, connection, and finding light in everyday moments. With tracks like “Hearts for Sale,” “Drop the Gun,” and “From the Ground,” Jason invites listeners into an intimate space where emotion and storytelling meet.
Kate Waters (Houston, TX)
Hope—specifically the kind that’s hard fought-for—is the undercurrent of Kate Waters’ new full-length album. She finds light in every hardship, and never spares us the dirty, difficult work of searching for it. That honesty to the process lends even her most anthemic offerings a human authenticity, the feeling that we’ve stood by her side in every battle, and she, ours. So when Waters promises a happy ending on the stunning single “It Gets Better,” we believe her.
Logan Vath** (Norfolk, VA)
A 2026 Kerrville New Folk Winner, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Finalist; Rocky Mountain Singer Songwriter Festival Finalist, and winner of CF Martin’s “Lifespan” songwriting competition, Logan continues to perform at singer/songwriter festivals nationally: including showcases at 30A Songwriter Festival, and an invitation to The Foundation Stage at the acclaimed Newport Folk Festival.
**2026 Early Bird Finalist
Sara Beth Go (Nashville, TN)
Sara Beth is a 2025 Kerrville New Folk winner, a 2024 Kerrville New Folk finalist, and a top five finalist in the 2025 Rocky Mountain Songwriting Contest. Drawing from her colorful upbringing in New Orleans, she began creating stop-motion animations in 2022 to accompany her music. The result is a live show that feels less like a performance and more like an experience — something akin to a really good therapy session.
Your Friend Rachel (Brooklyn, NY)
Your Friend Rachel is first and foremost a crafter. Of lyrics, melodies, stories, and art made from trash. Her songs speak to the dissonance of being human in an increasingly inhuman world. A songwriter since childhood, her work blossomed in collaboration with spouse Pat Oberstaedt, a multi-hyphenate instrumentalist and music producer. Your Friend Rachel’s debut album Silly Little Human is currently in production.
