Kingsbury wins Tributary to the Rivers songwriting competition

GUELPH – Shannon Kingsbury has won first place and the people’s choice award for her song River Eramosa at the Tributary to the Rivers songwriting competition hosted by the Wellington Water Watchers.

Her song was written in collaboration with Nicholas Ruddock.

This song will become the theme song for the 2Rivers Festival throughout the coming year and for the 2021 2Rivers Festival.

Kingsbury is a singer, songwriter, harpist and music educator based in Guelph.

Her music dives deep into internal landscapes of dream, archetype and emotion, organizers say. Kingsbury has made two solo albums and is composing/directing for the Ondine Chorus.

Second place went to  Ann Liv Cazzola and Braden Phelan who together form the folk duo Tragedy Ann.

Cazzola and Phelan favour a flashlight over a spotlight in songs for community, nature, and hardworking hospital staff. Braiding organic vocal harmonies with accordion, singing saw, guitars, and ukulele, Tragedy Ann’s arrangements are as delicate as they are driving, organizers say.

The third place winner is Carolyn Ross, who enjoys learning about the land, teaching kids and playing music with rivers, plants and friends.

To view a recording of the event and to hear the finalists’ songs visit https://youtu.be/YO5CD7Voru4.

Judges for the contest include musicians Katherine Wheatley, Alanna Gurr, Shane Philips, Emmalia Bortolon-Vettor, and Sarafina Bortolon-Vettor.