Emily Johnson-Erday
2025 Master Songsmith
Organizers of the 53rd Walnut Valley Festival have announced the winners and alternates of the 2025 NewSong Showcase, as well as the recipient of the 2025 Master Songsmith award. The NewSong Showcase gives aspiring songwriters a chance to submit their work for review by professional musicians and acclaimed songwriters, and features ten categories: Songs about Winfield, Songs for Children, Religion/Spirit, Feelin’ Blue, Instrumental, Sweet Memories, Love Songs, Songs for a Better World, Humor and None of the Above. The writers of the top songs in each category are given the opportunity to play their songs onstage at the Walnut Valley Festival, September 17-21. The Master Songsmith designation earns the participant two WVF tickets and $800, a value of $1000.
Chris Jones, songwriter, broadcaster, and front man for Chris Jones and the Night Drivers organizes and collaborates with this team of song reviewers to determine which songs are chosen to be performed.
Chris Jones: “We love having the opportunity to recognize the talent of every one of these songwriters, but this year we also had the chance to award Emily Johnson-Erday the title of “Master Songsmith.” Emily impressed us, not only with the high quality and originality of each of her songs, but also with the diversity of her song topics. I want to thank all of our reviewers, who did an amazing job in providing thoughtful and useful critiques of each song entered in the NewSong Showcase: John Pennell, Grace van’t Hof, Marshall Wilborn, Ernie Hill, Brenna MacMillan, Donna Ulisse, Martha Trachtenberg, Dan Boner, Jon Weisberger, Jeff Daugherty, Roger D. Ferris, Beth Lee, and Thomas Cassell.
Songs About Winfield
Winners
TH “Headed Out to Winfield” – Joe Worrel
SA “Walnut Valley Wind” – Brent Fuqua
Alternates
TH “Back in ’72” – Kenny Cornell
SA “Winfield is my Happy Place” – Doug & Jude Krehbiel
Sweet Memories
Winners
TH “This Old Fiddle” – Kenny Cornell
SA “Mile from Here” – Brent Fuqua
Alternates
TH “Run, Run Little Man” – Chris Goering
SA “The American Dream” – Bud Bierhaus
Songs Suitable for Children
Winners
TH “Herve the Funny” – Dave Sommers
SA “Rag Slap a Do Dat” – Doug & Jude Krehbiel
Alternates
TH “A-OK at the KOA” – Quinn McCue
SA “Don’t Tell Grandma” – Marilyn Rogers
Love Song
Winners
TH “Nowhere Train” – Branlin Shockey
SA “Love and Baseball” – Jack Summers
Alternates
TH “Kerosene” – Branlin Shockey
SA “I Know What I Know” – Lauren Oxford
Songs of Religion or Spirit
Winners
TH “Genesis Again (Oil and Ore)” – Emily Johnson-Erday
SA “Complicated Man” – Mike Clifford
Alternates
TH “Joseph” – Michael Kelly
SA “The Shepherd” – Judi Neal
Songs About Feeling Blue
Winners
TH “Colder December” – Justin Edwards, Matthew Manning
SA “Summer’s End” – Emily Johnson-Erday
Alternates
TH “Whisk Me Away” – Ryan Triggs
SA “Too Far Gone” – Beth Watts Nelson
Instrumental
Winners
TH “Before Spring” – Joy Zimmerman
SA “The Price You Pay” – Jordan Riehm
Alternates
TH “Ramona’s Tune” – Gary Mortensen
SA “Morning Whim-Wham” – Jack Bryson Bowden
Songs for a Better World
Winners
TH “White Jesus” – Riley Amanda
SA “Watch the Water Rise” – Emily Johnson-Erday
Alternates
TH “Little Flower” – Jordan Butler
SA “Every Girl” – Derrick Mears
Humorous Songs
Winners
TH “Bluegrassasaurus” – Pat Wiley
SA “He Took the Dog” – Leah Sproul
Alternates
TH “Check Your Guitar” – Stan Sullivan
SA “AARP” – Jim McCarter
None of the Above
Winners
TH “Bad Habits” – Jim Fish Svendsen
SA “I’ve Seen Jesus” – Karyn (aka Sally) Schafer
Alternates
TH “Leavin’ Savannah” – Ryan Triggs
SA “I’ve Never Been So Happy” – Joe Conley