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Joe Myers.
Photo by Bill Goodman.
Performers are:
Daniel Coon, of Scottsdale;
A.J. Odneal, of Phoenix;
Kris Nelson, of Laveen; and
Cali Rodi, of Cave Creek
Daniel Coon,▲of
Scottsdale, draws his musical inspiration from
literature, paintings and poetry as well as personal experience. He cites
influences such as Bob Dylan, Ben Harper, Garcia Lorca, Rene Magritte, Tom
Waits and Lew Welch as having a dramatic affect on his perception of
imagery, language and music. He often begins his performances: “I’m a firm
believer that some of the best songs, when written down, make the worst
poetry. I’m not the best guitar player in the world, and I sure as hell
can’t sing that great, but I like to think that I’m pretty good at writing
bad poetry.”
▲A.J. (Alexandra) Odneal,
of Phoenix,
is a talented singer/songwriter who performs on acoustic guitar. She is an Arizona native and attends
Arizona
School for the Arts in Phoenix. During the past
year A.J. has performed her original songs at the Tucson Folk Festival, the
Prescott Folk Festival, the Grand Avenue Festival and the Carefree Christmas
Festival and at several Phoenix First Friday Art Walk venues. She was
selected as a semi-finalist for her original song in the Cave Creek Film &
Arts Festival. In addition to songwriting, Odneal enjoys musical theatre and
has performed in the Phoenix area in ensemble
roles for Tempe's
critically-acclaimed Stray Cat Theatre (A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's
Scientology Pageant) and Mesa Encore Theatre (Footloose).
Cali
Rodi,
of Cave Creek, landed her first paying gig▲
at Cave Creek’s Buffalo Chip Saloon at age 12 and quickly became a
sought-after performer at venues such as Azools, Cocomo Joe’s, Anthem
Outlets, Legends, Cave Creek Coffee Company and Rula Bula. She joined Billy
Cioffi and the Monte Carlos at the New Year’s Eve Fiesta Bowl Block Party in
Tempe and the P.F. Chang’s Rock-and-Roll Marathon in Phoenix. Last June, Rodi performed at a
charity event in Nashville with country
hosts Darryl Worley, Lee Ann Womack, Chuck Wicks and Jamey
Johnson. Later that week, Rodi
shot video footage with Kellie Pickler for a CMA Fest national television
special and wrapped up her week as a guest on The Billy Block Show, airing
live at Tootsies. Rodi recently performed live with Tim and Willy on
KMLE-108 and earned a slot in the finals of the Alice Cooper Christmas
Pudding competition. She is scheduled to be an opening act for Justin Moore
(known for his recent #1 hit “Small
Town USA”) in May.
www.myspace.com/calirodi
Kris Nelson,▼
of Laveen, is a singer/songwriter who has been equally influenced by his
life in the Northwest (Kalispell,
Mont.), and his life in the Southwest (Los Angeles,
Phoenix). His style focuses on storytelling about his
life and travels thus far. He rages with punk rock and reggae enthusiasm and
can take that and roll it into a calmer, more rythmic/melodic sound in one
song. He is influenced by the mountains and the trees and the street lights
and the sirens. He has traveled the
United States
and overseas with a little luggage and his guitar for years...and he is here
to entertain you with the music that came and continues to come out of those
experiences.
www.krisnelsonmusic.com
Two high school students joined two other
original songwriters performing with guitar genius
Joy Myers in the second Songwriters’ Showcase event. Watch the
30-minute video.
The Showcase finalists were selected from
more than 100 singer/songwriters who have participated in the city’s weekly
Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic series.
The performances will be taped for television and for
some performers this will be the first opportunity to showcase their
original songs with a professional back-up band, which is being led by
internationally-known musician and bandleader Billy Cioffi.
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