Look for details on the 2008 Talent Showcase soon 2007 Vermont Talent Showcase | Saturday, August 25
| Duncan Yandell & David Yandell of Williston
Duncan Yandell, from Williston, is a 16-year-old junior at CVU and a member of the Vermont Youth Orchestra. He has been fiddling for nine years and has played violin for 12 years. He is accompanied by his father David on piano. The music they play is in the classic Cape Breton style, including both modern and traditional reels, jigs, strathspeys, and airs. This lively dance music is strongly tied to the Scottish Gaelic roots of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and can be heard there today just as it was played many years ago, with its distinctive fiddle style and driving piano accompaniment. | Sunday, August 26
| Prana of Burlington
The vital life-sustaining force of the body and the universe.
Prana’s music is an eclectic array of lyrically powerful, rhythmic and melodic compositions of true-life experiences performed with all the passion and energy upon which they were lived…Transformation, self connection, life discovery, gratitude and love. | Monday, August 27
| Cam’s Jam of Williston
Cam's Jam is a group of young musicians from Chittenden County ranging in age from 9 to 18. They concentrate on Jazz but mix it up with some Latin and even classical rhythms. They've played in venues ranging from the Burlington Discover Jazz Fest , senior centers, and the Windjammer Restaurant. The group is led by Camuel Cross, a professional player and teacher. | Tuesday, August 28
| Roadhouse Charlie and Ruby of Essex Junction
This husband and wife act is dedicated to playing and singing the tunes from the Golden Age of Country and Western Music (1930-1980). They are well-known in the area and have performed at places such as Murray's Tavern, Banana Winds and the American Legion. Their fans, young and old, love and appreciate the music as well as the memories. | Wednesday, August 29
| Lori & Tom of Colchester
Lori Jacobs and Tom Hughes are Vermont-based musicians who play a mix of acoustic rock, folk and contemporary songs they like to refer to as “music for grownups”. Their selections runs from Crosby, Stills and Nash to Indigo Girls, from Melissa Etheridge to Snow Patrol. Lori’s recording background encompasses both playing and engineering work on CDs (include two of her own as half of Backflip Annie), while Tom’s background includes a 20-year “break” from performing while he managed and traveled with heavy metal bands from New York and New England. | Thursday, August 30
| Kevin Brislin of Burlington
Kevin Brislin is a local singer/songwriter playing an original style of "melancholic acoustic folk" blended with a variety of cover tunes spanning many genres from the 60's thru today. | Friday, August 31
| Meagan “Mimi” Mahoney of Cohasset, Ma.
15-year old Mimi Mahoney, formerly of Shelburne and now from Cohasset, Ma has made the Fair an annual end of summer event.
This year Mimi brings her guitar with her to the fair as she takes the stage in the 4-H building. Drawing on a love of contemporary country female artist, Mimi provides a sometimes soulful, sometimes angelic repertoire of cover and original music. | Saturday, Sept. 1
| “Totem Pole” Rik of Hinesburg
"Totem' Pole" Rik Palieri- is a very energetic performer who captivates audiences of all ages with his stories and songs. Rik has performed at concert halls, schools and festivals throughout the lower 48 states, toured Alaska by float plane, rode camelback in Australia and sung on trains throughout Europe... He has appeared on countless TV programs including his own Public Access TV show "Song Writers Notebook", that has featured interviews with artists like Pete Seeger and U. Utah Phillips. Rik has recorded six albums and is the author of a new book "The Road Is My Mistress, Tales Of A Roustabout Songster" www.banjo.net | Sunday, Sept. 2
| Keegan Nolan oF Fairfield
Keeghan is a 15yr old singer/songwriter from Fairfield Vermont . She has been performing on stage since she was 12yrs old. She has accomplished quite a bit in just a few short years. In 2004 Keeghan won the Maple Festival Talent Show in which she performed Patsy Cline's " Crazy" from there on her music career has sky rocketed . In 2005 she won the VT/NY Mayor's Cup Idol singing Martina Mcbride's " Valentine" and "Patsy Cline's "Crazy" . In 2006 she won the local Colgate Country Showdown performing her original song "BOOTS" and a song title "I Don't" to go onto Topsfield MA where she won the Title of the 2006 New England Colgate Country Showdown. In 2007 Keeghan entered the CMA Music City Rising Star Vocal Competition in Nashville ,TN where she won 1st place in the 15 yr old category, Best overall original selection for a song she wrote called "Sparks Fly" best overall original performance and 3rd overall out of 250 contestants from 35 different states. Keeghan also sings Jingles for commercials for local television and Radio and has been in the commercials as well. Keeghan has written a few songs with "It's gonna be a Patsy Cline Christmas" and “SPARKS FLY” just to name a couple. Her website www.myspace.com/keeghannolan | Monday, Sept. 3
| Eric Bronsveld of Burlington
Eric is a New England native who got his education in Flemington, NJ. He has been playing the guitar for his own and others entertainment. Since age 13 he was inspired by a musician playing at Smugglers Notch who played one of his mother’s favorites. Eric enjoys playing classic rock from the 60s, 70s & 80s. Bands like ELO, Moody Blues and the Beatles. He has been bringing his love for music to restaurants, private gatherings and open mike nights across the country. He has played Smuggler’s Notch Inn, Banana Winds, Manhattan Pizza and venues.
| | Thanks to all the other talented performers who applied to
participate in the Vermont Talent Showcase. |
2007 Champlain Valley Fair Looking for Local Talent
ESSEX JUNCTION, VT – Champlain Valley Fair, presented by Progressive, is offering local bands, dance groups, musicians, magicians, singers and other talented Vermonters a chance to show their stuff on stage during the 10-day fair, Aug. 25-Sept. 3.
“We have a new stage, sponsored by Depot Home and Garden of Essex Junction, in the Vermont State Building this year that is perfect for showcasing local talent,” said Jim Littlefield, director of special projects for the Fair.
And unlike all the reality shows on TV these days, there won’t be a panel of judges offering their opinions, there’s no big cash prizes and best of all, no bruising elimination rounds - just a chance to have some fun at the Fair, perform for a hometown crowd and maybe – just maybe - catch the eye of a talent scout vacationing in Vermont.
The requirements are fairly simple for performers interested in participating, Littlefield said. “Ideally, the person or group would have a 20- to 30-minute of family-friendly material and be able to perform at 2:30, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on the same day. There is no pay (other than a couple free passes to the Fair); there are no dressing rooms; and minimal technical support is available for sound or lighting set-up,” he said.
“We have already talked with a group of young fiddlers, two Irish clog dancing groups and a couple singers,” Littlefield said. There is no formal audition process, but the Fair staff does have final say in the line-up and “we hope to balance out the type of acts and performers over the course of the week. The idea is that this should be a fun activity and if there is a strong interest in the community, we hope to expand it in future years.”
“Time is of the essence,” he said, with three weeks to go before opening day on Aug. 25. Performers interested in adding the Champlain Valley Fair to their resume should act quickly. Application forms are due Aug. 15. Or call Littlefield at (802) 878-5545 to get an application. |