Flatrock, NC — An Emerging Songwriter’s Contest and Showcase and a unique musical lineup are the hallmarks of the Flat Rock Music Festival, to be held Sept. 26-28 in scenic Flat Rock, N.C.

The Emerging Songwriter’s Showcase at Flat Rock is the perfect opportunity for those songwriters that desire exposure at a national festival. With festival and venue promoters, professional songwriters, studio personnel and other members of the music industry as our judging panel, Emerging Songwriter finalists will have the chance to perform for influential members in the regional and national music scene. Deadline for the Flat Rock Music Festival Emerging Songwriter Contest submissions is August 29th, 2008. There is a $20 entry fee/song.

Last year’s winner, Carla Gover, is just such a talent. Her exceptional performance truly demonstrated why she won the prestigious 2007 Flat Rock Music Festival Emerging Songwriter. It was a magnificent performance. Carla is a Merlefest Chris Austin song contest winner and a winner of the prestigious Kerrville Folkfest. She has expressed her gratitude for the honor of winning at Flat Rock and its addition to her musical resume. Like other winners, this award has gotten Gover noticed on a national level.

The Flat Rock Music Festival draws people from as far as California and Canada and has been featured on public television. It has also garnered international acclaim with magazine coverage in Germany. Prior festival headliner Sam Bush said, “This festival is perfect to give exposure to acoustic music, and for artists to be expressive”.

Festival Director, Kathlene Stith, says “this festival rivals any other festival its size in the nation. The festival works hard to continuously improve the experience of the festivalgoers. “Come to Flat Rock. You will have fun.”

Top musical acts at three stages in the Americana music-oriented Flat Rock Music Festival include Sonny Landreth, The Iguanas, The SteelDrivers, Toni Price, The Wiyos, The Biscuit Burners, Sam and Ruby, Missy Raines and the New Hip, Joy Kills Sorrow, Ryan Montbleau Band, Peyton Tochterman and High Society, Sol Driven Train, The Near Misses, The Smokey Joe Show, Laura Reed and Deep Pocket, WSNB, Matt the Electrician, Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore, Sarah White, Dehlia Low, Seth Walker, Jospeh Hasty and Musica Nostra, Gigi Dover Band, Carla Gover and Wicked Polly, Mitch Barrett, Rick Spreitzer and Kevin Edwrads, Jeri Katherine Howell, Jenn Adams and Jerry Trapp and Friends. among others.

All-star jams and the Flat Rock Music Festival Emerging Songwriter Competition live finals are hallmarks of the Flat Rock Music Festival. The festival features Americana music at three venues, musical and songwriting workshops, open mikes, jams, Kids Village with crafts, children’s parade, food and other vendors, chapel service, plus camping, boating and swimming.

The Flat Rock Music Festival is held in the fall each year at 365-acre Camp Ton-a-Wandah, a family–owned summer girls’ residential camp in its 72nd year, in historic Flat Rock, N.C. Featuring musical and songwriting workshops, open mikes, jams, Kids Village with crafts, children’s parade, food and other vendors, chapel service, plus camping, boating and swimming, it is open to all ages.

Deadline for the Flat Rock Music Festival Emerging Songwriter Contest submissions is August 29th, 2008. There is a $20 entry fee/song.

For info and entry forms go to www.flatrockmusicfestival.com or call the festival offices at 828/692-2005.