Santa Barbara Songwriter Showcase

6th DURANGO SONGWRITER’S EXPO/SANTA BARBARA FROM FEBRUARY 26-28, 2009 OPENS WITH DSE EXPO SHOWCASE AT SOHO RESTAURANT & MUSIC CLUB ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 6-8PM This year’s Durango Songwriter’s Expo will open with a free showcase as part of a meet-and-greet at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State Street in Santa Barbara on Wednesday, February 25 from 6-8pm. In addition to local songwriters like Susan Marie Reeves and Stephen Styles, the show will feature winners of the Durango Songwriter’s Expo songwriting contest. The line-up includes Diane Waters of San Diego (1st place for country in 2009), Sherrie Miller (1st place for country in 2008, now signed as an artist with Sony/BMG), Annie Dingwall of Dallas (3rd place for pop in 2009), and North Carolina songstress Ashley Chambliss (4th place for pop in 2009), as well as other up-and-coming songwriters like Ryan Shea Smith from Seattle. In addition to prominent members of the music industry, the public is also invited to attend this free event. Local songwriter Christina Grimm is the producer and emcee for the showcase, which will be followed by a concert with hit-songwriter Chuck Cannon at 8:30pm ($5). Cannon will also perform in the Hit-Songwriter Concert on Saturday, 2/28. The 6th annual Durango Songwriter’s Expo/Santa Barbara Wine Country will take place from February 26 - 28, 2009 at the Rancho Santa Ynez Marriott in Buellton. Local songwriters are invited to attend the Expo, one of the nation’s premier singer/songwriter events that is a combination of workshops, panels, listening sessions, showcases, songwriting workshops, and open mics. With registration limited to just 200 attendees and more than 40 music-industry pros and hit songwriters, this rewarding expo provides unparalleled networking opportunities. The public can also purchase tickets for the Saturday night Hit-Songwriter Concert separately ($25). As the culmination of the Expo, these concerts have always offered a wonderful insight into how ideas are transformed into songs that have an impact on our culture – in addition to presenting top-quality live music. Featured hit songwriters for the February 28 concert will be Jim Lauderdale, Jill Sobule, Carlene Carter, Bill Champlin, Chuck Cannon, Big Al Anderson, Crosby Loggins, and other special guests. Many Santa Barbara songwriters are planning to take advantage of this event that brings the music industry within easy reach. Songwriters interested in performing their original tunes at the Expo showcases on February 26 and 27 must register and submit tapes/CDs by February 19, 2009. The Rancho Santa Ynez Marriott is providing special rates so that Expo participants can take full advantage of the many events on the schedule, including a tasting of Santa Barbara County wines. For information and registration: www.Durango-Songwriters-Expo.com or call Jim Attebery at (970) 259-9747