The second annual Songs for Social Change Songwriting Competition has now been completed. We are happy to announce that The Whiskey Farm, a Folk-Americana band from Madison, Wisconsin was the winner of the competition and their winning song is entitled "Songs of Resistance."  Their song along with the songs of eight runners-up is included on a special compilation CD. Take a look at the information about the talented artists who participated and won this year's contest.

The Whiskey Farm, the winners of the contest, are listed first.  The runners-up are listed in random order (they were all good and it was not possible to rank them sequentially).

Also, the compilation CD pictured above will be shipped starting May 18, 2018. You can order this year's compilation (and last year's too) in our online store.

"Songs of Resistance" was written by Jason Horowitz (ASCAP)

The Whiskey Farm is an Americana and folk rock band from Madison, Wisconsin.  Formed in 2010,the band released their first record, “Middle of America,” in 2011 and in 2012 won the Madison Area Music Award (MAMA) for Best Americana/Folk song for the lead track, “If I Were You.”  The Onion A.V. Club described The Whiskey Farm as “straddling the line between bluegrass and folk, blending technical wows with accessible songwriting for very pop-minded Americana.”  Their website is www.thewhiskeyfarm.com

"I Choose Love" was written by Shawn Gallaway ( SESAC)

Shawn Gallaway is a singer/songwriter, visual artist, author, ceremonial healer, workshop facilitator and Energy Worker. He has traveled throughout the world sharing his message of Healing Through the Arts, and branding Transformational Music, which is music with a purpose  to awaken the collective heart of humanity to Love!

His website is www.shawngallaway.com and his song can be seen and heard on YouTube

"Change" was written by Renee Asteria Penaloza (music & lyric), Rahman Jamaal McCreadie (lyric) (ASCAP)

San Francisco, CA, based artist Razteria​ (aka Renée Asteria) can be described as a fusion of No Doubt and Bomba Estéreo. Her multicultural roots (Bolivia/Netherlands) are reflected in her music, as she crosses musical genres with powerful messages in multiple languages. Over the past decade, Razteria has planted musical seeds throughout the Americas and Europe. Her website is located at www.razteria.com 

The official video for the song is located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPCV8j5iA64

"Umoja" was written by Jamal Moore

What do you get when you mix classical with blues, jazz with pop, and rock with gospel? You get an artist who does not believe in musical boundaries.That artist is Jamal Moore. Since 2012, Jamal has toured over fifty countries with his former band The Exchange and released multiple albums. Their most recent project “Pursuit” has been nominated for several Contemporary Acappella Recording Awards including Best Pop/Rock Album, Best Pop/Rock Song, and Best Original Song. In 2014, they were featured as the opening band for the Backstreet Boys European “In A World Like This” tour and as competitors on NBC’s The Sing Off Season 5. His website is located at www.jamalmoore.com 

"Money's Not Speech" was written by Marilyn Rucker (BMI)

Marilyn Rucker, also known as “The Wicked Wit of the West”, sizzles on the piano and sings a mean song. Not mean spirited, mind you, but the lyrics are far darker and more satirical than you might expect from someone who studied at Miss Maisie Baldritch’s School of Elocution and Deportment. Her music has jazz/folk/pop/rock influences and can be described as a cloning of Tom Lehrer, Weird Al Yanokovic, Blossom Dearie, Dave Frishberg, Nina Simone, Diana Krall, and a dab of Ray Charles.  Her website is www.marilynrucker.com

"It Takes One" was written by Kalina Campion (ASCAP), Kiana Campion (BMI) and Michael Campion (BMI) . The song was originally released under  the band name Rocky’s Revival.

At ages 11 and 13, respectively, Kalina and Kiana started an all-girl band called "The Raymies". As lead singers, the two sisters led the band for three years and conducted over 100 live performances. Disney offered the band a television series in the style of "Hannah Montana", but Kalina and Kiana turned down the offer, because Disney wanted to recast the rest of the band. After "The Raymies" split up, Kalina and Kiana traveled around Europe and participated in several creative projects before forming "Rocky's Revival. Today they perform as "Kalina and Kiana."

"It Takes One" talks about the importance of one small action. It can change the world in a good or bad way. It can change history. One small thing can either start a war or a revolution.  The official music video with lyrics is at YouTube

"Conquer All" was written by Kelvin Frazier (BMI)

Kelvin Frazier is a musician, chemist, professor, consultant and entrepreneur. "R&B/Soul and Gospel are my favorite styles of music because both of these genres purpose is to make a connection to the human soul either emotionally or spiritually. I love music that not only has a good hook to it, but a great message as well."

His website is www.kelvinfrazier.com and his song "Conquer All" is streaming on SoundCloud and YouTube

"My Daily Bread" was written by Lisa Ann Wright (ASCAP)

Lisa Ann Wright is an actor, singer/songwriter and guitarist. Her first album  "Sweet Bye & Bye"  won the Washington Area Music Award (WAMMIE) for Debut Album. Lisa is currently working on a new album of originals with a couple of traditional songs as well.

The song is streaming on her website and is available on YouTube

"The Difference" was written by Amanda Udis-Kessler (ASCAP) and recorded by her band EverySoul.  The album is still under production and has not yet been released.

"We’ll be the ones to give food to the hungry and we’ll be the ones to build houses for all.
We’ll be the ones to bring help to the suffering. Yes, we’ll be the ones who will answer the call.
We are the ones, we are the ones,
We are the ones…
Who make the difference…"