Joshua Burge is a songwriter who generally performs with a seven-piece band (Chance Jones).

With five full length albums under his belt and countless songs on top of that, Jones has been celebrating the bands' latest work "The Incident at Primrose and West" released on Grand Rapids based Friction Records.

Sometimes foottapping, sometimes humorous, Chance Jones' songs are unashamed of their roots in the 20th century songbook.

chancejones.com

A newcomer to the local songwriting community, Dorothy Cooley maintains that "living, loving and suffering should count on the experience meter." She began playing guitar when she was 11 when she discovered she could play "Proud Mary" as a show and tell project. Her first attempts at songwriting come shortly after attending a Harry Chapin concert as a teenager. Her musical experiences include singing in the Grand Rapids Opera Chorus as well as the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus.

www.dorothycooley.com

Out of music hotbed Grand Rapids, Michigan, explodes newcomer Spencer Mulder.

Mulder is a prolific young songwriter who’s confident voice, rich chords, and heartfelt lyrics have proven to be the perfect prescription for a rapidly growing fan base all across the Midwest.

Influenced by the likes of Ryan Adams & John Mayer, Mulder's spin on songwriting and performance is lush, colorful, & honest, full of raw energy and emotion. Working side by side with veteran producer Michael Crittenden at Mackinaw Harvest Music Studios, Mulder created his captivating debut CD "On the Way" which was released in May 2008 .

Mulder and his band are currently touring in support of the new CD and beginning preproduction on their forthcoming sophomore effort due in 2009. For more information, visit Spencer's official website at:

www.spencermulder.com
www.myspace.com/spencermulder

With subject matters ranging from carpet stains and the demolition of Barbies to life with his schizophrenic brother, solo acoustic performer Dan Hazlett’s (pronounced HAZE-LETT) songs roam from the outlandish to the sublime. His rich, warm voice and skillful acoustic guitar work make his performances touching, humorous and uplifting. Blending a folky, jazzy style with carefully crafted and thoughtful songwriting, Dan has often been compared to artists like James Taylor and David Wilcox.

During a career spanning more than thirty years, Dan has been actively touring the Midwest. His CD, “Family Album” has received strong airplay throughout the US, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland and Canada. Dan has been nominated for several Detroit Music Awards. He was named a finalist in both The KRCL Performing Songwriter Showcase in Park City Utah and the Big Top Chatauqua Songwriting Contest and was awarded both 2nd and 3rd place and an honorable mention in the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest and an honorable mention in The Billboard Songwriting Competition.

Dan has been a guest on Nationally syndicated radio shows Albom In The Afternoon (Mitch Albom) and River City Folk (Tom May) and one of Dan’s songs was featured on the Nationally syndicated radio program “Car Talk. Dan has opened for many established performers like Valdy, David Roth, Cliff Eberhardt and Jack Williams and for seven years hosted his own folk radio show “Local Folks” on WXOU-FM at Oakland University.

A prolific songwriter, Dan Hazlett has recently released his seventh full length CD, “Just a Guitar” while doubling as a producer, engineer and session musician for many local artists.

www.danhazlett.com

Rebekah Rhys was a musical theatre major at Hope College and graduated in 2004. Soon after, she realized her musical roots calling to her and began writing and performing. Three years later, she has moved to Grand Rapids, is a local favorite, is a member of the New York Songwriter's Circle, is featured on local and national radio, has recorded two EP's and is the process of recording her third album, due out in late 2008.

Citing her influences as legendary songwriters like Carole King, she writes from several different stylistic backgrounds, making her overall sound hard to define. However, it also makes for a varied and eclectic listening experience. Check her out, share her with your friends, and support her shows. Give her a listen, share her with friends, and let her know what you think. Her albums are available on iTunes and CDbaby.com. For an autographed copy, you can e-mail her at rebekahrhys@yahoo.com and she'll send you one. Rebekahrhys.com is coming soon...

Rachel Zylstra grew up in rural small towns, taking piano lessons and joyfully singing unsolicited songs at the dinner table. After spending a half a dozen years in Grand Rapids, getting a theatre degree and jumping into the West Michigan songwriter scene, she leapt once again - to New York.

Refining her craft over time, she has been an artist in residency at the famed "home of anti-folk," The Sidewalk Café, released a 2005 album, Most of It Is True, and collaborated with some of her own musical inspirations, including a 2006 double-bill with Jason Harrod, and opening for Over the Rhine and David Bazan last year.

With clever chordal turns and a voice that is equal parts world-weary chanteuse and love-struck girl, Rachel tells stories of wit, learning, hope and heartache. On December 3rd she releases her newest album, Before You Could Decide.

http://www.rachelzylstra.com/