Although not planned that way, it turned out that our 11 Songwriters all were writing in different genres of music so that made for an evening of “DEI” of itself (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion!) Lisa Selle started the show with a song that was written about today’s woes called “You Can’t Hate”. Lisa is an eighth-grade language arts teacher and she loves to write lyrics that teach life’s lessons!
Next up was Dylanovus (“Dylan” infused with the Latin word “novus” meaning “new” or “reborn”) with his “Pop Dance” music and his sparking shoes proved his danceable songs worked!
Michael Abbass writes in what he calls a “groovy, American roots” style of music with subjects about life in Colorado.
Mark Henry Ham likes writing in a variety of styles including Country Americana, blues, rock, and bluegrass. On his new album out now, he also plays harmonica and piano as well as guitar. Check his music out at http://markhenryham.com
Dan Treanor with friends Merriann Johnson and Nic Clark performed Blues with guitar, harmonica and really awesome vocals by Ms. Johnson — More below.
Joy Iwancio also loves to write in blues, folk, and rock styles. She performed two songs in acoustic and Americana styles.
Christopher Ryan was born in New York, grew up in Georgia, and attended college in the Appalachian mountains. This background has given his songwriting influences from each of these regions which he calls “obscuracna folk-rock!
You can find Marty Jones’s music at https://martyjones.bandcamp.com where you can also download his music and help him earn some money, too!
T-Loop displayed his skills with a looping machine to get the audience’s toes tapping and clapping along to his infectious Latin Pop songs!
Todd Caron’s specialty is soft rock. He’s just got started on writing his own songs but he was able to perform a couple of them for the Showocase.
Finally our “headliner” Jamie Krutz showed his multi-talented skills with his songwriting in the Progressive and Celtic styles. Jamie recorded his “backing tracks” with him playing all instruments including keys, violin, guitars, drums, and more!
Special note: Several of our songwriters have new “albums” coming out but Dan Treanor brought Merriann and Nic with him who are on his recordings. This group of multi-talented musicians were outstanding. No wonder Dan has won the local blues competitions! Dan’s new album (actually a physical CD) is titled Legacy by Dan T and the Crew.
(I say “albums” with hesitation. Kind of hard to quantify that term when everything is “out there” via streaming without you being able to touch it or to read the vinyl jacket or the liner notes with the lyrics!)
The Showcase took place at Odde’s, 9975 North Wadsworth, Westminster. And, of course, what would a show be without some “technical difficulties?” Helping out Chris Odde to get us up and running were Dave, Jamie, Todd, and Larry. They found the problem and the show then went on without a hitch! Good job, guys!
And finally, let’s give a big shout-out and “Thank You” to our audience, including all of COMBO’s Board Members, for coming to support the songwriters and staying through the hotoentire show, and showing their full support with their enthusiast applause and financial donations!
Photo: Joy Iwancio | From her Facebook page
Lisa Selle: https://songbobbin.wixsite.com/pinebeetles
Jame Krutz: https://www.jamiekrutz.com