Hundreds of music fans poured into Nashville’s Basement East Tuesday night for the finale of American Songwriter’s Road Ready Talent Contest.
Joe Jenneman, Beachmont, and SmithField battled for the title and prizes, which included $20,000 in cash, a performance for a VIP audience, a publishing deal opportunity, studio recording time, gear, and more.
At the end of a more than three-hour event, Beachmont was named the winner. More than 14,000 artists applied to the contest.
About the Finalists
Jenneman, who calls himself “soulful indie folk,” kicked off the night with his band and a set of largely mid-tempo melodic rock.
“It really feels like years of hard work are paying off,” Jenneman told American Songwriter about being a Road Ready finalist. “It feels incredible to have my talents recognized and spotlighted, and I’m seriously so grateful to American Songwriter for giving me this opportunity.”
SmithField, comprised of Trey Smith and Jennifer Fiedler, followed. The pair explained they had known each other since childhood. In addition, their families had known each other for three generations. Their background and their small Texas town deeply influence their music, which they describe as reminiscent of a deep conversation with a friend over a cup of coffee.
“Your innermost thoughts, dreams, hopes, letdowns, your exes, relationships, friendships, family, etc. You’re pouring your heart and soul out to this person in a trusted space and probably saying things that you wouldn’t tell anyone else but this person,” they said. “That is what Smithfield does, but in a song.”
Road Ready Talent Contest Was Mix of Originals and Covers
Smith grew up loving rock music, and Fiedler is country through and through. They combine both to get their sound on stage and in the recording studio. Their set combined country originals and a covers medley that included Bon Jovi, Shania Twain, The Goo Goo Dolls, and Faith Hill.
The duo closed with their new song, “Heaven Has a Grand Ole Opry.”
Beachmont describes themselves as “sweaty.” The rock band closed the audience-voted event.
“The first three rows are much like SeaWorld – all splash zone,” members said.
There was no immediate sweat when the band took the stage, but there was a saxophone, bright lights, and raw, throwback rock ‘n roll energy. The band is more than road-ready – they’re arena-ready.
“If you gave The Boss (Bruuuuuuuuuuce) a MacBook with one (1) license for Ableton (12 suite) and unbridled access to Facebook Marketplace, and also his college football team hadn’t been good in 25 years (Go Big Red Babey!) – that,” members said of their music.
At the end of the night, the audience’s votes were tallied. Jenneman was named second runner-up. SmithField won first runner up, and Beachmont was declared the winner. The band wore matching turquoise button-down shirts and lined up across the stage with a giant $20,000 check to have their pictures made.
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