A Night of Original Music at the Songwriters Showdown
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On Thursday, March 26, more than 400 music lovers gathered at the Pavilion at Watersound® Town Center for an unforgettable evening celebrating original music at the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County’s 2nd Annual “Made in Walton County” Songwriters Showdown. From start to finish, the night was filled with powerful storytelling, heartfelt performances, and an inspiring sense of community.
After receiving more than 30 submissions, ten talented finalists were selected to take the stage: Emily Bass, Mason Charles, J. Cruz, Aubrey Jane, John Gilleran, Hanson LeBoeuf, Tom Lennon, Erin Mitchell, Tom Pritchett, and Eric Stockton. Each songwriter performed an original piece, showcasing a dynamic range of musical styles, lyrical depth, and creative expression that captivated the audience.
Returning as host, singer-songwriter and 30A Songwriters Festival favorite Wyatt Espalin guided the evening with charm and energy, even treating the crowd to a few of his own original songs.
Finalists were evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges including Kelsey Waters, Alex Rogers, and Grammy-nominated and CMA Award-winning artist Gretchen Peters. Performances were scored on originality, lyrics, melody, composition, and overall performance, making for a thoughtful and competitive showcase of talent.
In addition to the judged awards, audience members played an important role in the evening by purchasing voting tokens to support their favorite performers. Proceeds from the People’s Choice voting directly benefit arts education and programming in Walton County—making every vote a meaningful contribution to the local arts community.
Congratulations to our 2026 winners:
🥇 1st Place: Tom Pritchett
🥈 2nd Place: Aubrey Jane
🥉 3rd Place: Hanson LeBoeuf
🎤 People’s Choice Award: Emily Bass
“Events like the Songwriters Showdown truly reflect the CAA’s mission to support artists and cultivate creativity throughout our community,” said Jennifer Steele, President & CEO of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. “By providing a stage for both emerging and established songwriters to share their original work, we celebrate the art of storytelling through music while creating meaningful opportunities for artists to connect with audiences and with one another.”
Produced by the CAA and presented by Watersound® Town Center, the Songwriters Showdown is made possible through the generous support of Headline Sponsor TruNorth Pest Control, the St. Joe Community Foundation, and Hwy331.com.
The Cultural Arts Alliance extends its sincere gratitude to the talented songwriters, dedicated judges, generous sponsors, hardworking volunteers, and enthusiastic attendees who made this event such a success.
We were truly blown away by the talent, heart, and authenticity each artist brought to the stage. The Songwriters Showdown continues to grow as a meaningful platform for local musicians—and we can’t wait to see where their music takes them next.
