"Thrilled to be on the panel for this year's SONGFEST. As rewarding as my 20 years in LA and NYC were, nothing compares to getting my hands dirty in supporting artists and musicians in my hometown of Houston, TX! Thank you SONGFEST,” said 2022 Songfest judging panel member Alex Navarro, president of Houston Professional Musicians' Association, touring and recording credits including Carly Simon, Rod Stewart and Queen Latifah, frequent musical director for TUTS and in-demand freelance pianist.
The City of Houston appointed its very first Music & Cultural Tourism Officer at the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Gracie Chavez, a long-time musician, and veteran of the music industry joined the team earlier this year and will join the Songfest ’22 event to share some thoughts, resources and exciting news about what is ahead for music in Houston. It’s a great time to be a musician in Houston!
“Every city in Texas has its own identity and contribution to our state’s unique landscape. Houston is no different,” says Chavez. “Our great City recognizes that music helps create the identity and prosperity that defines our culture. Houston continues to seek more ways to support musicians and our music industry.”
“It’s a great time to be in the music industry in Houston,” said Tracy DeJarnett, founder of HoustonLive and producer of Songfest ’22. “Houston, Texas is home to some of the biggest break-out artists like Beyonce, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earle Keene, Megan the Stallion and Madeline the Person,” says DeJarnett. “Our mission is to discover, support and promote artists and we are shining a spotlight on the next generation of break-out artists in a city that has a history of being the home to the world’s best-known stars.”
HoustonLive’s judging team for Songfest ’22 includes:
- Alex Navarro, president of the Houston Professional Musicians' Association, touring and recording credits including Carly Simon, Rod Stewart and Queen Latifah, frequent musical director for TUTS and in-demand freelance pianist.
- Tom Tranchilla who is a programmer/DJ for Houston's KPFT for over 20 years, six years with the HAAM Radio Show and the past 15 years as host of Songwriters Studio, airs every Sunday 5:00 to 6:00 PM, interviewing local, regional, national and international artists. In addition, he has released four independent albums - two Americana/Folk and two instrumental guitar duet albums with Buddy Allen.
- Michael Mikulka producer, engineer, studio owner, and 30-year Grammy voting member, Michael has been recording and producing artists since the "analog tape" days and had the good fortune to really hone his craft, producing recordings for songwriters by working for several publishing companies, including music publishing giant MCA music.
Also joining the HoustonLive team this year are platinum selling, award winning Texas singer-songwriters Bernie Nelson, Heather Little, Helene Cronin, Ben McPeak and Brian Kalinec who are not only performing this year but also offering coaching support for the 2022 Songfest finalists. Songfest’s three-time finalist Alex Coba will also be performing.
“McIntyre venues support live music, and we go out of our way to feature Texas artists”, says Chase McIntyre, co-owner of McIntyre’s with locations in Downtown Houston, Houston Heights, San Antonio and soon to be announced Clear Lake Houston. “We are happy to host Songfest ’22 and give Texas singer-songwriters a stage to showcase their latest and best work.”
McIntyre’s Downtown is in a historic building once home to Spaghetti Warehouse and has been transformed to what has often been referred to as the city’s largest outdoor covered patio. Learn more at https://mcintyresusa.com/downtown/.
Sponsors for Songfest ’22 include Lucky Run Studio, Marchione Guitars, McIntyre’s Downtown, Houston Songwriter Association, JP Hops House; Song Circle Houston and Tom McKinney of Tom McKinney Vocal Studios best known for his work with students like Beyoncé, Madeline the Person and Maddie and Tae. Media sponsors include Keegan Lucas with Made in Texas Radio and Outlaw Dave of the Outlaw Dave Show.
Giving Back
HoustonLive is committed to giving back to the community that supports us having donated more than $20,000 to animal rescue, Houston Food Bank and the Stevens and Pruett Ranch Foundation collectively. Proceeds from the Songfest ’22 auction, and raffle benefit the Stevens and Pruett Ranch Foundation, a 501c3 organization that supports foster children and rescued horses. To learn more about sponsorship, visit https://houstonlive.tv/sponsor-now.