2026 NewSong Showcase Winners & Alternates

Organizers of the 54th Walnut Valley Festival have announced the winners and alternates of the 2026 NewSong Showcase, as well as the recipient of the 2026 Master Songsmith award AND the best of the Songs About America. The NewSong Showcase gives aspiring songwriters a chance to submit their work for review by professional musicians and acclaimed songwriters, and usually 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 Master Songsmith designation earns the awardee two WVF tickets and $800, a value of $1000, plus the chance to play at WVF’s Champions Concert on Wednesday evening. The “Songs About America” category was added to commemorate America’s 250^th this year, with the top song’s writer receiving a $250 cash prize. The writers of the top songs in each category are given the opportunity to play their songs onstage at the NewSong Showcase during the Walnut Valley Festival, September 16-20. More info can be found at WVFEST.COM.

Chris Jones, songwriter, broadcaster, and front man for Chris Jones and the Night Drivers organizes and collaborates with a 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, as well as determine the recipient of the 2026 Master Songsmith award, which this year goes to Fred Baue. Fred has been a frequent contributor and winner of NewSong Showcase, and his work this year impressed us with its high quality and originality. This year we also awarded a special prize for the best of the Songs About America, which goes to Ben Suchy for his song, “Work in Progress,” which I think captures where America is now, as well as where it has been. 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: Becky Buller, Thomas Cassell, Jeff Daugherty, Tricia Eaves, Roger D. Ferris, Ernie Hill, Grace van’t Hof, Beth Lee, Keith Little, Brenna MacMillan, John Pennell, Martha Trachtenberg, Donna Ulisse, and Jon Weisberger.”