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As artist sign up to perform, biographies and/or pictures will be placed here
DAVE BLOOM - San Antonio, Texas. I moved to San Antonio last
year from Northern Va., where I fronted a band called The Dog Waggers. (thedogwaggers.com) I wrote the majority of the songs
and did 90 percent of the lead vocals. You can hear some sound samples at www.myspace.com/thedogwaggers
or on cdbaby.com
Joel Williamson - Victoria,
Texas. (More information to follow)
Setra Sundahta is a self-produced singer, songwriter and guitarists.
After breaking free from Columbia Records, Setra worked with Tony Wilson (tech
for the Rolling Stones' Bigger Bang world tour) to build her own home recording faciity where she wrote and produced a
collection of songs about life, aptly entitled "Songs About It." In addition to writing these catchy, quirky songs,
Setra also performed the music and produced and mixed the album herself along with a little help from some great musicians.
Pianist, Joe Scott, who graced the albums of and/or toured with Lou Rawls, Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson, added his
magic fingers to "Hearts & Flowers." And Kamu, who's skills have graced the albums of stars like Chaka Khan
and Luther Vandross, played guitar on "This Time," as well as produced the track. "In My Room" is one
of several songs Setra recorded for Columbia Records. In addition to producing her own debut CD, Setra also arranged and performed
vocals for Hoppy Komiyama on his Toshiba-EMI album and on the Refugee Camp's production for Sony/Japan artist, Pushim's
hit single, "It's Too Late." You may have seen Setra perform and share her views in the documentary entitled
"Love Letter to New York" where she, Clive Davis, Chocolate Genius and a host of others talked about their love
of music and making it happen in New York City. One listen to Setra's introspective lyrics, catchy melodies and sultry
vocals and it's clear why she's been sought after by Sony for both her writing skills as well as her artistry. "Getting
a deal is not important to me," she says. "Staying true to the song is what it's all about." You can hear some of Setra's music at www.myspace.com/daughterofthesun
SHAND WALTON, Austin, Texas - Rejected and unknown for more than
fifteen years, Shand Walton continues to be rejected and unknown in a semi-arid western region of North America. But he persists
in writing music and playing various instruments for anyone curious enough to listen. Shand’s one-man show might be
reminiscent of a minstrel in a desert cantina, or a busker in a cobble-stoned European alley. His rig consists of a
kick drum, a six-string, hollow-body electric guitar, a diatonic actuator (designed, constructed, and patented by the maestro
himself), and an authentic hi-hat operated by his impeccable left foot. MP3 recordings of his third solo album are currently
available on this site. Michael Molenda, editor of Guitar Player magazine, awarded Shand Walton the "Bravery
on the Edge of Crazy" award in January of 2007. He described Shand’s music as "raw" and encouraged readers to "dare a listen, and be transported back
to the juke joint days." Visit Shand Walton's web page www.myspace.com/shandwalton for more music.
Phil "P. Willie" Flood, Austin, Texas - I am a member
of the Texas Music Coalition and I am a songwriter. I have had four of my songs selected for inclusion on the TMC member's
compilation CD project. you can hear some of my songs at www.myspace.com/rwi and at www.cdbaby.com/rwi. I play a wide variety of music, including rock, blues, country and americana styles.
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JIM KEAVENY, Austin, Texas - Well,... I Was Born and Raised in Bismarck North
Dakota. Was trained in classical piano from 2nd to 8th grades. My Instructor, Ms. Buck, chose me from all her students to
represent her at the University of Mary outside of town. I played a piece called "Chimes". Always hated school and
never did well at It. One teacher of mine suggested seat belting me to my desk chair. I was diagnosed with A.D.D. by the 8th
grade. To me the entire thing was, and still is, a joke. Grades were at their worst by then and my mother insisted I either
quit sports or piano. I quit piano to escape the strictness of Ms. Buck. I started in a rock band my junior year as bass player.
It was then I started the guitar and began writing songs. Instead of collage, I hitchhiked and rode freight trains around
the country for about a year-and-a-half. These were the best times of my life... I met some wonderful people and felt that
I was finding myself with the like-minds, the guitar, the traveling, and the poetry. I played in a band in Eugene, Oregon
a couple years. Worked as a fisherman, a dishwasher, a cook, a tree planter, a firefighter, a janitor, a graveyard maintenance
man, a brewer, in several factories, and later (what I do now)as a Carpenter. I've lived solely by performing on the streets
for about two years of my life; the second round in Europe, mostly Spain. Arrived in Austin early 1996. Played with a few
different bands including the "Fence Cutters". In 2000 began playing solo and released my first of three records.
"These Old Things", "the Great Historical Bum"(02'), and " a Boot Stomping"(05') are
the titles. I was a "New Folk Finalist" in 05' at the Kerrville Folk Festival. I play in the Central Texas area
as well as tour four months of the year in both the States and Europe. I consider myself a folk/country singer. I play a lotta
Harmonica. Hear more from Jim Keaveny by viisiting www.myspace.com/jimkeaveny 
Byrd & Street, Austin, Texas. More to come. To learn more about Byrd &
Street visit their website at www.byrdandstreet.com.
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DENNIS BENGE, Nederland, Texas - is a Texas songwriter born in Bellaire, Texas. He
is the brother of Pamela Scheirman, who originally organized and began this festival. Dennis plays acoustic guitar
and classical guitar as well as harmonica. He writes a variety of music for special events and humerous lyrics for special
occasions and events. He also writes ballads, gospel and rock music. Dennis will be performing on Little 6th Street
in Palacios, Texas
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DB MARTIN - Austin, Texas. DB was born in Killeen, Texas. The 6th child to a Barber
and a Beautician. DB first displayed musical ability around the house singing along to records, quite well, as an elementary
school age child. At age 14 DB began to show some of his natural ability with music, quite by accident, receiving a secondhand
drum kit as a surprise birthday gift from a friend. There wasn’t money for drum lessons, no rudiments, paradiddles or
flams. Just a drum set, a loud stereo and KISS: DB played along with records as if he were the drummer on the recordings.
After graduating from high school, DB found himself at age 19 in Austin, Texas. Fate, it seems would not let this talent go
unfulfilled. DB had an opportunity to play drums for Austin Blues Legend, W.C. Clark but admits at the time he was a bit shy
and reserved and was a bit overwhelmed. The summer of 1997, DB chances upon an upright grand piano he now owns, while at a
house sitting job. DB had been around many pianos and keyboards alike as a drummer and had sat at them at length. "It
was obvious I didn’t play the piano," recalls DB. "I would have loved to have played the piano when I was
younger, but when I did every one said to get back on the drums!" It seems a relationship formed with this beautiful
antique piano and DB. "I suddenly found my hands doing things I didn’t know they could do, and for the first year
all I could do was play solo piano music." During this time DB spent more time at the piano than anything else. "It
was great to be compared to George Winston, but I wanted to play songs. And I didn’t know how." Then it happened.
DB began to formulate chords into what would become his first song composed on piano, Miracle Man, a tribute to his slain
hero John Lennon. From one song, came another, then another. By the time this sudden burst of inspiration to create music
was done, DB would pen the lyrics and compose the music to almost 100 songs. During all of this creativity, turning 40, many
challenges surfaced that may have averted his momentum, but DB forged ahead and prevailed. What has happened to me musically
is nothing short of a Miracle. I have to honor the gift. I can’t lose faith now, that would not be smart." Miracle
Man is about John Lennon. Sometimes people assume it’s about DB. And considering how things turned out, the title certainly
could be. Lear more about DB Martin at www.myspace.com/dbmartingroup
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MICHAEL WREN - Michael has been writing songs for nearly a decade, but it has been
the last three years that have seen him start to become recognized in the world that is music around Texas. His song
"Leaning In" has enjoyed some circulation on outlaw radio programs throughout the state. Without breaking
into mainstream radio play, "Leaning In" made it as high as 15 on the American Charts in the summer of 2006.
In late 2006 Michael left his band, The Texas WettNex to further pursue his ultimate passion that is songwriting. He
cited the pressure of booking and gigging as putting a strain on his creativity and just wanted to retire to the back porch
for a while. The bright lights have been calling Michael back to the stage and you will see Michael again this summer
with some new faces, new tunes and the same old contry boy personality that made him so popular. You can hear more from
Michael by visiting www.myspace.com/michaelwrenmusic
Judy Walters Great Texas Songwriters Festival Committee 1705 Spinel Road, Pflugerville, Texas 78660 (512) 751-2465 or 512.482.0614 x247 905 4th Street, Palacios, Texas 77465 (361) 972-2847 jwalters@greatxsongwriters.com or wimp-e@hotmail.com Cheryl Dodd Great Texas Songwriters Festival Committee 515 Commerce, Palacios, Texas 77465 (361) 972-1479 outrigger@wildblue.net
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