Songfest '23 Spring 2023!
FEaturing top talent at the biggest Singer-songwriter event in texas!
Songfest '23 is our fourth year in the making and will feature professional Texas singer-songwriters and recording artists, new songs from the best in the business and up and coming songwriters featuring their best stuff in the Songfest '23 showcase and competition. Stick around for our benefit auction and concert too supporting the great work of the Stevens and Pruett Ranch Foundation with foster children and rescued horses!
About songfest
Songfest '23: a Texas original Singer-Songwriter Competition, Showcase and benefit concert.
Join us Spring 2023!
Watch for details announced Fall 2022.
We had a great time at the 3rd Annual HoustonLive Songfest Texas Singer-Singwriter Competition, Showcase and Benefit Concert May 21st at McIntyre's Downtown. Click to learn about the winners. First place Heather Rayleen, Second place Emily Cole, Third place Tyler Wayne Griffith and Honorable Mention to Ray Wyatt!
HoustonLive produces Songfest and is a community dedicated to discovering, supporting and promoting Texas artists.
meet the 2022 winners
Congratulations Heather Rayleen, Emily Cole, Tyler wayne griffith and honorable mention ray wyatt
Learn about other HoustonLive events here.
Our 2022 coaches and Pro song Players + Recording Artists
Helene Cronin
Heather Little
Helene Cronin
Helene Cronin is the 2018 New Folk Winner at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival. Helene's artistry has drawn comparisons to Lori McKenna, Mary Gauthier, and other songwriters who are known for strong lyrics, unique voices and honest perspectives.
Bernie Nelson
Heather Little
Helene Cronin
Bernie achieved ‘Million-Airplay’ status on his # 1 hit, ‘Daddy Never Was The Cadillac Kind’ with Confederate Railroad. Most recently he’s enjoyed success with cuts on Mark Wills’ ‘Looking For America; Montgomery Gentry’s ‘Damn Baby’ and Tracy Lawrence’s ‘The Ride’ and ‘Heaven For A While.’
Heather Little
Heather Little
Heather Little
Heather Little is the co-writer of “Gunpowder and Lead” and “Me and Charlie Talkin'”, both recorded by Miranda Lambert; Sunny Sweeney’s “Helluva Heart”; and “Minefield,” on Travis Meadows’s album Killin’ Uncle Buzzy. And now you can hear more of her songwriting on Lindsey Harding’s album Sound of My Heart (including the title track)!
Ben McPeak
Heather Little
Heather Little
Ben McPeak has quickly become a household favorite both back home in the Lonestar State and in Music City, between which he splits his time. His passion for telling his own and others’ stories drives his songwriting, giving his work a relatability that has led him to Billboard success.
Alex Coba
Brian Kalinec
Brian Kalinec
Alex is proof that an ambitious path paired with strong roots is the exact recipe for a poignant songwriter to emerge with imaginings as boundless as the musical landscape he was raised in. The Rio Grande Valley native based in Houston, TX is a songwriter who creatively crafts moving songs and captivating stories driven by heart and soulful vocals. Learn more at https://alexcoba.com.
Brian Kalinec
Brian Kalinec
Brian Kalinec
Brian Kalinec is an award-winning, Houston, Texas-based Americana/folk singer-songwriter. His East Texas roots have combined with his urban experience to form his own particular view of the world, which is reflected in his songs. A native of Beaumont, His writing has drawn favorable comparisons to that of Woody Guthrie, John Steinbeck, Ro
Brian Kalinec is an award-winning, Houston, Texas-based Americana/folk singer-songwriter. His East Texas roots have combined with his urban experience to form his own particular view of the world, which is reflected in his songs. A native of Beaumont, His writing has drawn favorable comparisons to that of Woody Guthrie, John Steinbeck, Rodney Crowell, and Jim Croce, and it resonates with audiences, fellow songwriters, and music lovers alike. Find out more at http://www.briankalinec.com.
Songfest '22 Judges
Alex Navarro
Michael Mikulka
Tom Tranchilla
Alex Navarro is a Houston native. He currently serves as president of the American Federation of Musicians, Houston Musicians Union, Local 65-699, adjunct faculty at Los College of Music, pianist for the Houston Ballet Academy and remains highly in demand as a freelance musician.
Alex’s career began in Los Angeles where he was widely known
Alex Navarro is a Houston native. He currently serves as president of the American Federation of Musicians, Houston Musicians Union, Local 65-699, adjunct faculty at Los College of Music, pianist for the Houston Ballet Academy and remains highly in demand as a freelance musician.
Alex’s career began in Los Angeles where he was widely known as music director for Engelbert Humperdinck. Other notable recording and performance credits include artists Queen Latifah, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart, Art Garfunkel, Natasha Bedingfield, Rita Wilson, Doc Powell, Taylor Dayne, the Prague Philharmonic, the BBC Radio Orchestra, the Newark Symphony and the Omaha Symphony.
Tom Tranchilla
Michael Mikulka
Tom Tranchilla
Houston based singer/songwriter Tom Tranchilla performs a variety of Folk, Americana, Country, Ragtime and Blues, both covers and originals. Tom specializes in finger-style six and twelve string acoustic guitar and vocals. Currently hosting Texas songwriters on KPFT's Songwriters Studio.
Tom's most recent CD (with musical partner Buddy A
Houston based singer/songwriter Tom Tranchilla performs a variety of Folk, Americana, Country, Ragtime and Blues, both covers and originals. Tom specializes in finger-style six and twelve string acoustic guitar and vocals. Currently hosting Texas songwriters on KPFT's Songwriters Studio.
Tom's most recent CD (with musical partner Buddy Allen) "Acoustic Audio-Dacity is a mix of songs with some of the best pickin' you'll hear! His CD "Sketches of Life", contains two internet radio chart toppers:"Union Man" reached #4 on the Texas top 40 (texastop40.com) and has been featured on numerous labor talk shows across the country. Tom's arrangement and recording of Ball and Sultan's "The Perfect Woman" recently reached #2 on the Texas Top 40 charts. Sketches of Life, received great reviews from My Texas Music.com as well from as DJ's on Houston's KPFT 90.1. Tom’s 2001 releas, "That Train" received high reviews from Music News: “That Train is a great listen. The songs will make you tap your toes and make a tear come to your eye”. Several of the tracks from That Train have been featured on Pacifica Radio and Rick Gardener's,Pickin' and Swingin' radio show.
Michael Mikulka
Michael Mikulka
Michael Mikulka
Michael has been an Engineer/Producer for 35 years and is a 30 year voting member for the GRAMMYs. He is well known for recording all genres of music/musicians " live" in the studio and specializes in producing singer/songwriters. Learn more at https://www.luckyrunstudio.com.
Hosts, Emcee and Media!
Brad bowman
Brad Bowman is a Texas songwriter, voiceover talent and Emcee supporting Texas artists and a big part of Songfest. Learn more at https://www.bbthevoice.com.
Keegan Lucas
Keegan Lucas hosts the Made in Texas Radio program and features top Texas singer-songwriters. To learn more visit https://madeintexasradio.com.
Jay Harris
Jay harris is president of the Houston Songwriter Association and is an active member of the Texas singer-songwriter community. He frequents Nashville and other songwriter events and continually looks for ways to grow as a songwriter and support other Texas singer-songwriters. To learn more about the Houston Songwriter Association (HSA) visit https://www.houstonsongwriters.net.
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