2009 Telluride Troubadour

36th ANNUAL TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL NAMES BEREA, KENTUCKY SINGER SONGWRITER AS NATIONAL SONGWRITING WINNER
“Congratulations to 2009 Telluride Troubadour winner Mitch Barrett. Mitch's performance of his song "Drop in the Bucket" on Saturday evening - with special guests Sam Bush and backup vocals from all the Troubadour finalists - was one of those unforgettable Telluride moments.” - - Planet Bluegrass

Selected from over 500 applicants Mitch Barrett took 1st place in the Telluride Troubadour Competition during a 2 day elimination process. As part of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival the Telluride Troubadour Competition is a nationally recognized songwriter competition open to anyone who writes and performs original music and who is not currently signed to a major recording or publishing deal. Contestants are judged on the quality of the song’s composition, vocal delivery, and the overall performance.

Finalists are awarded cash and prizes, as well as critical acclaim, well-deserved recognition and a chance to perform on the festival main stage. With the winning of the competition Mitch wins a custom made Shanti Guitar, a main stage performance and the national recognition that comes with the title.

Mitch is also a Kerrville “New Folk” winner, has won The Folks Festival Songwriting Competition in Lyons, CO out of over 900 applicants and is the only songwriter to date to win Wilkesboro, North Carolina’s Merlefest “Chris Austin Songwriting Competition” twice.

The 36th Telluride Bluegrass (June 18-21) featured David Byrne, Emmylou Harris, and Sam Bush, Elvis Costello and a all-star bluegrass band; Yonder Mountain String Band and Railroad Earth, Bela Fleck and Tim O'Brien. Performers say there is a unique thrill to performing in front of the smartest, most attentive audience in the country. Artists are encouraged to take risks in Telluride, and the audience is regularly rewarded with unique blends of voices sharing the stage for the first time - as a new musical friendship cultivated backstage makes its debut on the Telluride stage.

www.planetbluegrass.com