Boston singer/songwriter and guitarist Reed Waddle has won the grand prize for songwriting in a competition sponsored by the New York Songwriter’s Circle. His song, “Piece by Piece” was chosen over dozens of entries that were whittled down to five finalists.
Past contest winners include such notable performers as Kate Voegele, Company of Thieves and Mieka Pauley.
“To win such a prestigious contest is a dream come true and to be honest it really has not settled in yet, I am truly elated,” said Waddle. “I can’t say enough about the New York Songwriters Circle, it is rare that you meet so many amazing musicians.”
“He completely impressed everyone with his smooth voice and is definitely ready to breakout into the mainstream,” added Tina Shafer, Artistic Director for the New York Songwriters Circle and host of the contest.
Taking second place honors this year was another Boston-based singer/songwriter and jazz vocalist Julia Easterlin for her unique single “Go Straightaway.”
Clara Olman, of Nashville, TN, was third for her single “Song For Ruthie,” which infused phrasing from renowned 20th century classical French composer Claude Debussy Claire de Lune.
Judges for this year’s competition included, Grammy Award winning performer John Oates, Grammy Award winning producer Russ Titelman, and Jonathan Clarke from radio station Q104.3, among others.
Oates took to the historic brick walled stage of the Bittern End and performed his Grammy award winning song “She’s Gone” to cap off an event.
Reed will be receive a $10,000 prize and will perform with Oates in Aspen, CO.
He also won a top of the line Gibson acoustic guitar, an opportunity to record with Grammy award winning Producer Glenn Barrett. He will perform on Clarke’s “Out of the Box” radio show.
Sponsors for the 2009 Songwriting Contest include: Gibson Guitars, sonicbids.com, broadjam.com, Ascap , BMI, , Sesac, MorningStar Studios, Dubway Studios, 795 Records/Denise Rich Publishing, Blue Light Digital Sound and onlinegigs.com.
The New York Songwriter’s Circle has been producing and directing bimonthly shows at the legendary Bitter End club, in New York City’s West Village for more than 19 years.
The Circle has launched the careers of notable artists such as Norah Jones, Jesse Harris, Lisa Loeb, Vanessa Carlton, Gavin DeGraw and Chris Barron.
The Circle hosts live music showcases in Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles as well as an educational “Loft Series” dedicated to supporting, nurturing and empowering artists in this new age of the Music industry.