Billy King was born into a musical family who operate an organic farm near Brooklyn, Michigan. He and his younger brother, Kenny, made a cassette of Elvis cover tunes when Billy was 11, and called it The King Brothers Sing the King. This led to numerous gigs, including the WCBN Bash, the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, and opening for Jonathan Richman at The Ark music club. He and his brother went on to record four more cassettes of original songs. When Kenny’s voice changed, he went on to pursue other interests, and Billy released his first solo recording, Part of the World. One reviewer described it as “Lindsay Buckingham on a good day.” His second solo recording was You Know Me, and he recently released his third, called Overdue. In addition to his Grand Prize song, “I Don’t Write Love Songs,” he is a finalist for “Can’t Stop The Learning.” He now performs both solo and with his band, the Idylls, throughout southern Michigan. Find out more at www.billykingdom.com

"Was It Ever

Really Mine?"

and "The Most"

Jon Troast

"My Brother's Hymn"

Jordan Keller

Jon Troast, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, has toured the country, playing clubs and venues from New York to Los Angeles. Both his first-place winning song, "Was It Ever Really Mine?" and his second-place winner, "The Most," are from his most recent CD, Second Story, which was recorded in Nashville with Grammy-award-winning producer Mitch Dane. Jon won Best Male Artist in the International Acoustic Music Awards (IAMA) for “Knock Down,” from Second Story. Jon also recently had the honor of being a musical guest on the national radio program “A Prairie Home Companion” with Garrison Keillor. (Editor's note: He also has one of the coolest websites of any Indie artist we’ve come across. Go to www.jontroast.com to see if you agree.)

"Samba For a Rainy Afternoon"

and "Charlevoix Keepsake"

Roger MacNaughton

Having spent 35 years writing music for commercial broadcast, Roger MacNaughton of Ada, Michigan, turned his full-time attention to the emerging possibilities for independent music last year. Three full-length CDs resulted. His second place winner, “Samba for a Rainy Afternoon,” comes from the jazz-flavored CD Crosstown. Third Place winner “Charlevoix Keepsake,” for piano and cello, comes from the popular/new age-style Winter Canvas CD. According to MacNaughton, “I embrace the age of the indie! Through the Internet and opportunities like the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest, more music is accessible to more people than even before. Spend some time trying the music of these ‘ Great Lakes’ artists. I’m sure you’ll find something great to put in your iPod!” Roger also is a finalist in this year's contest for "First Light" and receives honorable mention for "Sidewinder" and "Crosstown." Click to listen to "Samba for a Rainy Afternoon" and "Crosstown." Click to listen to "Charlevoix Keepsake" and "First Light." For more info on Roger MacNaughton, click on www.myspace.com/rogermacnaughton

"Bartime"

Alexander Wood

"Marry Me"

Dan Hazlett

"Platinum Girl"

Whit Hill

"Old Friend"

Chris Nelson

"Face the Blues"

Stacia Petrie

"Waiting for the Hatch to Rise"

Jim Smith

"Oh, Debbie"

Dean Windemuller

West Michigan native Dean Windemuller is known to Chicago audiences from his years in the Windy City. He studied jazz and classical guitar at Wheaton College in Illinois, and blues fingerstyle guitar at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. Dean moved back to West Michigan in August 2005 and began performing as a solo singer/songwriter. Since then Dean has formed his own band Open Land (with a rotating cast of bassists and drummers) and joined Tango Folias (www.grtango.org) with Carmen Maret (flute), Andrew Bergeron (guitar) and Debbie Crosser (violin). To find out where he is performing next solo or with his groups, go to www.deanwindemuller.com or myspace.com/deanwindemuller.