Singer-songwriter finalists to perform at Astra on August 13

In the second annual Ferdinand Folk Festival Singer-Songwriting Contest, four “18-and-under” and nine “over-18” artists will vie for the opportunity to perform on the festival’s NextEra Energy Main Stage later this year.

These finalists will showcase their talents in a relaxed, family-friendly, “listening room” atmosphere in the historic Astra Theater in Jasper on Saturday, August 13. The juried performances will begin at 7:00 pm (eastern), and admission will be $10. Tickets can be purchased in advance safely and securely online at ferdinandfolkfestival.com.

The seventh annual Ferdinand Folk Festival is presented by Best Home Furnishings and the event’s headline entertainer, Rich Robinson, is sponsored by MasterBrand Cabinets.

This year 30 artists—10 women and 20 men—from 15 Indiana towns and 7 states submitted 71 original songs. A screening committee reviewed each song for original lyrics, musicianship, melody, and total effect. The 13 finalists are as follows:

18-and-Under Group

Sabrina Becher, Ferdinand
Vesper Days, Newburgh
Kaiyah Wilhite, Ferdinand
Anna Wrasse, Bloomington

Over-18 Group

Bethany Boeglin, Ferdinand
Eddie Leroy Burch, Dubois with Rick Burch, Louisville (duet)
Joel Curtis, Louisville
Suzanne Denning, St. Meinrad with Ed Walston, St. Anthony (duet)
Andy Hagedorn and Henry Hagedorn, Bristow (duet)
Jared Majors-Manley, Mt. Vernon
Beau Troesch, Minneapolis
Steven Wagler, Jasper
Ed Walston, St. Anthony with Suzanne Denning, St. Meinrad (duet)

Two artists, one from each age group, will be awarded at the end of the night. The one with the higher score will earn a Main Stage slot at the seventh annual Ferdinand Folk Festival on Saturday, September 17; the other winner will be offered performances on the Market Stage.

“The spirit of this event is to nurture and promote creativity and original music among all ages in our communities,” said Rock Emmert, the committee chair. “The contest offers a fun incentive for artists to develop and share their work with a listening, supportive audience.”

“We are excited to host the Ferdinand Folk Festival’s singer-songwriter competition and have as our guests supporters of the Folk Festival and of this very unique and friendly competition,” stated Leslie Hamby, chairperson of Next Act, Inc. “It is part of the Next Act’s mission that our efforts benefit the county and region as a whole, and we certainly feel that partnering with the Folk Fest in this capacity is helping to advance that mission.”

The evening will be hosted by on-air talent from 101 Country WBDC—the Ferdinand Folk Festival’s exclusive radio partner.