Songwriter Showcase to take the stage May 20-22 in Bethany
The Town of Bethany Beach will host Songwriter Showcase: The Nashville Connection at 7:30 p.m., Friday to Sunday, May 20 to 22, on the Bandstand.
The event will feature three nights of original music written and performed by musicians in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia whose connections to Nashville have helped boost their careers.
Each artist on the roster has a different style. Friday night features Jimmy Charles and Ocean City, Md. While the singer/songwriter found early success in 2014 with his first single, “Whatever It Takes,” picked up nationwide by iHeart radio, it’s the power of “Superman” that solidified his place in the spotlight. Charles’ successes continue today, and he recently won Nashville Industry Music Awards Male Country Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Never Had a Bad Day.”
Saturday’s show will host three acts: Craig Bickhardt, Sarah Williams and the Hobbs Sisters.
Bickhardt, a native Pennsylvanian, rose to prominence as a songwriter in Nashville during the 1980s and ‘90s, racking up an enviable string of cuts by Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Poco, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, Kathy Mattea, the Judds and Nicolette Larsen, to name only a few. A masterful performer himself, Bickhardt has shared stages with Bruce Springsteen, Judy Collins, Harry Chapin, Stephen Stills, Little Feat, Janis Ian and many others.
Williams grew up on a farm in southern Virginia and has spent summers visiting Bethany Beach since her early high school years. In 2001, she moved to Nashville to study piano, perform, record, teach and write songs with and for some of Nashville's finest. Her original songs give musical tribute to her tidewater, country, southern-rock roots while she reveals her true practice and passion for popular piano stylings.
The Hobbs Sisters, a twin sister duo known for their powerful harmonies and distinct sound, are originally from Pittsburgh and now based in Nashville. The rising country artists balance a full touring schedule that includes opening for acts such as Lady A and Russell Dickerson while consistently teaming with talented up-and-coming songwriters in Nashville.
Sunday will feature Josh Christina, a Maryland resident whose style offers a mix between Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Elton John. He writes his own music, refurbishes the classics and plays a mean piano. His infectious sound hit the international airwaves when he performed live on Ireland's “Late, Late Show” in September 2016. His album, "Instincts" was recorded at the historic Sam Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis. His most recent single, “Weekend Night in America” landed on the college charts.
For updates, click on Activities at townofbethanybeach.com.
