The Collingwood Live & Original Music Series was introduced in 2015 as a sub-festival within the Collingwood Elvis Festival. For more than 20 years, the Collingwood Elvis Festival has helped to preserve the legacy of Elvis Presley, the original rock star, and has provided visitors with the opportunity to hear Elvis’ music performed live once again. To complement this, the Collingwood Live & Original Music Series was created with a primary focus on giving aspiring singer/songwriters the chance to showcase their unique talents through live performances of their original compositions to a crowd of music fans who know what it looks like when an artist tries something original, puts themselves into their songs, and can deliver an amazing live performance.
After an incredibly successful inaugural year, the Collingwood Live & Original Music Series returns and expands in 2016 for another year of inspiring and impressive performances. These are not tributes. These performances are raw, real, and relatable - just like the story of Elvis’ climb from truck driver and aspiring singer…to legend. This year we invite you to experience a music series unlike any other, to get up close and personal to artists on the ascent. Experience the Collingwood Live & Original Music Series, coming to the Collingwood Elvis Festival July 20-23, 2016.
This year’s featured components include the L&O Songwriter Showdown and the L&O Encore. Unfortunately the L&O Showcase has been cancelled for 2016.
The L&O Songwriter Showdown celebrates finding musical creativity and innovation at the grass-roots level. This is an opportunity for unknown artists to develop their own individual songwriting ability and performance style, in a competition format, performing their original songs live and in person. This competition is designed to give the audience a connection with the artist as he or she expresses their personal story through song.
This event is the evolution from L&O’s inaugural year in 2015, which saw Gina Horswood crowned as the first Live & Original Winner, after wowing the judges and voting audience with her vocal style and musical talent. This year’s enhancements include a larger venue at the Gayety Theatre, more opportunities to experience up and coming musicians, and new ways for festival-goers to see and support a favourite singer/songwriter in their quest for a share of $5,000 in cash.
Top 12 Semi-Finalists
Congratulations to the top 12 semi-finalists! The videos below are a sneak peak at the twelve semi-finalists. For all the details on the Songwriter Showdown, follow us on Twitter @ExperienceCwood or like us on Facebook at Experience Collingwood.
For more information and videos of the contestants, visit: liveandoriginal.ca