2025 Singer-Songwriter Competition Finals
Saturday, Jul. 19 | 7:00pm ET (6:00pm CT)
CompetitionsSinger-Songwriter
Perennial Acorn fan favorite Singer-Songwriter Competition Finals returns for its 13th consecutive year to The Acorn. A panel of esteemed judges and our beloved Acorn audience will participate as six finalists take the stage for this thrilling performance, with the field narrowing to the 'top three' artists over the course of two rounds.
Acorn favorite Peter Carey will be our host and emcee for the evening.
The final vote and ultimate champion is audience choice, so be prepared to be dazzled, choose a favorite and cast your vote.
This event is part of our recording partnership series with 88.1 WVPE Public Radio which will air in a future "The Sauce Live from The Acorn" broadcast on WVPE! We'll be capturing LIVE footage at the show - come get in on the action!
Meet Our 2025 Finalists!
Annie Bacon from Ann Arbor, Michigan
Annie Bacon
Annie Bacon is a writer and songwriter living in Ann Arbor, Michigan who merges a literary writing style and folk-rock Americana sound to create rich and emotionally complex music. Bacon emerges from a loss-filled five years with 2024's Storm, praised as "a landmark release" (Glide), "mature and sophisticated songwriting" (AmericanaUK), and "brilliant nostalgic elegance" (The Wild Is Calling). She also composed a folk opera, co-created a full-length musical, and is working on a novel on themes of motherhood & war.
Annie Bacon is a writer and songwriter living in Ann Arbor, Michigan who merges a literary writing style and folk-rock Americana sound to create rich and emotionally complex music. Bacon emerges from a loss-filled five years with 2024's Storm, praised as "a landmark release" (Glide), "mature and sophisticated songwriting" (AmericanaUK), and "brilliant nostalgic elegance" (The Wild Is Calling). She also composed a folk opera, co-created a full-length musical, and is working on a novel on themes of motherhood & war.
Chris DuPont from Milan, Michigan
Chris DuPont
Chris DuPont is a Michigan native tunesmith, endlessly reimagining the indie/folk paradigm. With an unmistakable ethereal tenor, diverse fingerstyle guitar work, and a taste for the cinematic, DuPont steers the classic eloquence and lyricism of ‘70s Americana into the iridescent haze of indie pop. He has been recording and touring his original music since 2012, and has since built a loyal word of mouth reputation as a disarming entertainer, a prolific collaborator, and a "songwriter's songwriter." He is a regular staple at The Ark, one of the most celebrated listening rooms in the midwest. He has been a finalist at Rocky Mountain Folks Fest (2013), The Acorn Singer Songwriter Competition (2016), and Songwriter Serenade (2025). He has shared stages with Theo Katzman, May Erlewine, Brendan James, Edwin McCain, Needtobreathe, Peter Mulvey, and John Hiatt.
Chris DuPont is a Michigan native tunesmith, endlessly reimagining the indie/folk paradigm. With an unmistakable ethereal tenor, diverse fingerstyle guitar work, and a taste for the cinematic, DuPont steers the classic eloquence and lyricism of ‘70s Americana into the iridescent haze of indie pop. He has been recording and touring his original music since 2012, and has since built a loyal word of mouth reputation as a disarming entertainer, a prolific collaborator, and a "songwriter's songwriter." He is a regular staple at The Ark, one of the most celebrated listening rooms in the midwest. He has been a finalist at Rocky Mountain Folks Fest (2013), The Acorn Singer Songwriter Competition (2016), and Songwriter Serenade (2025). He has shared stages with Theo Katzman, May Erlewine, Brendan James, Edwin McCain, Needtobreathe, Peter Mulvey, and John Hiatt.
Christopher Gold from Appleton, Wisconsin
Christopher Gold
Christopher Gold is a Kentucky-born songwriter living in Wisconsin. He has written and recorded folk songs, country songs, rock & roll songs, and everything in between citing a love for songwriters like Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, John Prine, and anybody else whose work begins with paper and pen. He travels primarily as a solo act, carrying on the folk tradition of performances that blend music, storytelling, and humor. Recognized with a Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award for Singer/Songwriter of the Year, Christopher has built a compelling live presence, performing at venues like Codfish Hollow, The Majestic Theater, and The Barrymore Theater, and captivating audiences at festivals including ROMP and Mile Of Music. He's also had the privilege of sharing the stage with respected artists such as Robert Earl Keen, Rodney Crowell, Justin Townes Earle, and William Elliott Whitmore.
Christopher Gold is a Kentucky-born songwriter living in Wisconsin. He has written and recorded folk songs, country songs, rock & roll songs, and everything in between citing a love for songwriters like Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, John Prine, and anybody else whose work begins with paper and pen. He travels primarily as a solo act, carrying on the folk tradition of performances that blend music, storytelling, and humor. Recognized with a Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award for Singer/Songwriter of the Year, Christopher has built a compelling live presence, performing at venues like Codfish Hollow, The Majestic Theater, and The Barrymore Theater, and captivating audiences at festivals including ROMP and Mile Of Music. He's also had the privilege of sharing the stage with respected artists such as Robert Earl Keen, Rodney Crowell, Justin Townes Earle, and William Elliott Whitmore.
Ryan Kirkpatrick from Fort Collins, Colorado
Ryan Kirkpatrick
Fort Collins, Colorado based songwriter and outdoor travel guide Ryan Kirkpatrick leads the adventure-inspired music project known as The 14ers, celebrating the notion that “Life is a shared experience and music is the universal language that brings us all closer together.”Refining his own signature style of Mountaintop Folk-Pop (also the name of The 14ers’ 2019 album), Ryan draws songwriting inspiration from the places and the people surrounding him as he travels around the globe sharing his love for the outdoors leading skiing, photography, and hiking trips from Colorado to Mount Kilimanjaro. Over time, these special moments and experiences become the songs that document not only Ryan’s own journey in life and music, but of those around him. The 14ers are preparing to release a full-length album in 2025 stocked with radiant passion, endearing melodies, and refreshingly authentic songs.
Fort Collins, Colorado based songwriter and outdoor travel guide Ryan Kirkpatrick leads the adventure-inspired music project known as The 14ers, celebrating the notion that “Life is a shared experience and music is the universal language that brings us all closer together.”Refining his own signature style of Mountaintop Folk-Pop (also the name of The 14ers’ 2019 album), Ryan draws songwriting inspiration from the places and the people surrounding him as he travels around the globe sharing his love for the outdoors leading skiing, photography, and hiking trips from Colorado to Mount Kilimanjaro. Over time, these special moments and experiences become the songs that document not only Ryan’s own journey in life and music, but of those around him. The 14ers are preparing to release a full-length album in 2025 stocked with radiant passion, endearing melodies, and refreshingly authentic songs.
Shelley Miller from Chicago, Illinois
Shelley Miller
Shelley Miller is a Chicago-based songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, circus artist and aerialist. Over the course of their 20+ year career, they have released 6 albums of original music (both solo and as a band front-person) and performed throughout the Midwest and East Coast. They are a past winner of the Sandy Lee Songfest songwriting contest, finalist in the Sisters Folk Festival Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest and a finalist in the National Women's Music Festival Emerging Artist contest. They teach full-time at the Old Town School of Folk Music, where they were named a Distinguished Teaching Artist in 2014. They are also debuting their first musical circus show, The Amazing Adventures of 2NBs, this summer in Chicago.
Shelley Miller is a Chicago-based songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, circus artist and aerialist. Over the course of their 20+ year career, they have released 6 albums of original music (both solo and as a band front-person) and performed throughout the Midwest and East Coast. They are a past winner of the Sandy Lee Songfest songwriting contest, finalist in the Sisters Folk Festival Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest and a finalist in the National Women's Music Festival Emerging Artist contest. They teach full-time at the Old Town School of Folk Music, where they were named a Distinguished Teaching Artist in 2014. They are also debuting their first musical circus show, The Amazing Adventures of 2NBs, this summer in Chicago.
Kylee Phillips from Milan, Michigan
Kylee Phillips
Kylee Phillips is a Michigan-native vocalist and songwriter of deeply self-exposing pop music. Armed with an arresting, emotive, laser-focused voice, and an unrivaled ear for hooks and melodic contour, Phillips has garnered cult-like acclaim in the midwest and beyond since her explosive debut EP Long Time Coming. The title is strangely apt, as Phillips was a beloved hidden gem in the Detroit scene for over a decade before materializing as a fresh face and urgent new presence in the indie/pop world.
Kylee’s anthemic, sonically dense songs alchemize the sincerity of a midwest heart with the prowess and unabashed indulgence usually reserved for coastal voices. Here listeners find the body-cleansing catharsis of femme-pop luminaries like Muna and Maggie Rogers, intertwined with the heartstring-pulling, hands-raised surrender of a worship conference. Every track makes equal space for the tears and the pulse-pounding we didn’t realize we needed so badly.
Recent highlights include an Official Showcase at Folk Alliance Regional Midwest, headlining The Ark in Ann Arbor and placing 3rd in the Songwriter Serenade songwriting competition in Austin, TX.
Kylee Phillips is a Michigan-native vocalist and songwriter of deeply self-exposing pop music. Armed with an arresting, emotive, laser-focused voice, and an unrivaled ear for hooks and melodic contour, Phillips has garnered cult-like acclaim in the midwest and beyond since her explosive debut EP Long Time Coming. The title is strangely apt, as Phillips was a beloved hidden gem in the Detroit scene for over a decade before materializing as a fresh face and urgent new presence in the indie/pop world.
Kylee’s anthemic, sonically dense songs alchemize the sincerity of a midwest heart with the prowess and unabashed indulgence usually reserved for coastal voices. Here listeners find the body-cleansing catharsis of femme-pop luminaries like Muna and Maggie Rogers, intertwined with the heartstring-pulling, hands-raised surrender of a worship conference. Every track makes equal space for the tears and the pulse-pounding we didn’t realize we needed so badly.
Recent highlights include an Official Showcase at Folk Alliance Regional Midwest, headlining The Ark in Ann Arbor and placing 3rd in the Songwriter Serenade songwriting competition in Austin, TX.
Our 2025 Judges
Donnie Biggins
Donnie Biggins is a singer/songwriter from Oak Park, IL. He is a member of Chicago’s The Shams Band and owner/operator of Chicago music venue, Robert’s Westside. Donnie is also the Talent Buyer for The Acorn in Three Oaks, MI. This is his fourth year judging The Acorn’s Singer-Songwriter Competition. Donnie has been writing songs and performing live since 2005. He released his debut solo album, Profiles, in November 2016. The album received press and airplay from the Chicago Tribune/Chicago Now, Glide Magazine, WGN Radio, WXRT, CHIRP Radio and Radio One Chicago.
Donnie Biggins is a singer/songwriter from Oak Park, IL. He is a member of Chicago’s The Shams Band and owner/operator of Chicago music venue, Robert’s Westside. Donnie is also the Talent Buyer for The Acorn in Three Oaks, MI. This is his fourth year judging The Acorn’s Singer-Songwriter Competition. Donnie has been writing songs and performing live since 2005. He released his debut solo album, Profiles, in November 2016. The album received press and airplay from the Chicago Tribune/Chicago Now, Glide Magazine, WGN Radio, WXRT, CHIRP Radio and Radio One Chicago.
Karen Bridges
Cincinnati-based songwriter Karen Bridges is a classically-trained singer and multi-instrumentalist, and since 2012, she has performed extensively with Clint Thomson as Stone & Snow. Karen is an advocate for women in music, and she regularly writes and speaks about her experience as part of an underrepresented and underestimated demographic, particularly in the rural Midwest.
Cincinnati-based songwriter Karen Bridges is a classically-trained singer and multi-instrumentalist, and since 2012, she has performed extensively with Clint Thomson as Stone & Snow. Karen is an advocate for women in music, and she regularly writes and speaks about her experience as part of an underrepresented and underestimated demographic, particularly in the rural Midwest.
Andrew Delaney
Andrew Delaney of Arlington, TX is an unorthodox singer/songwriter and storyteller who steadfastly refuses to pretend he is not writing this bio himself in the third person. Born to a Chinese American family, Andrew grew up as a suburban goth kid and his songs are informed as much by the lyrics-as-literature styles of Tom Waits and James McMurtry as they are by the camp and audacity of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Legendary folk DJ Rich Warren of WFMT Radio Chicago once called him “The Alfred Hitchcock of singer/songwriters.”Over the years Andrew has garnered numerous accolades for his writing, including grand prize wins at both the Songwriter Serenade competition in Moravia, TX and The Acorn Singer-Songwriter Competition in Three Oaks, MI. He was a three-time finalist in the prestigious Grassy Hills New Folk Competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival, a top three finisher in the Rocky Mountain Song Contest, an Emerging Artist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and received Best Songwriter honors at the Dallas/Ft Worth “Ghosty” awards.
Andrew Delaney of Arlington, TX is an unorthodox singer/songwriter and storyteller who steadfastly refuses to pretend he is not writing this bio himself in the third person. Born to a Chinese American family, Andrew grew up as a suburban goth kid and his songs are informed as much by the lyrics-as-literature styles of Tom Waits and James McMurtry as they are by the camp and audacity of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Legendary folk DJ Rich Warren of WFMT Radio Chicago once called him “The Alfred Hitchcock of singer/songwriters.”Over the years Andrew has garnered numerous accolades for his writing, including grand prize wins at both the Songwriter Serenade competition in Moravia, TX and The Acorn Singer-Songwriter Competition in Three Oaks, MI. He was a three-time finalist in the prestigious Grassy Hills New Folk Competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival, a top three finisher in the Rocky Mountain Song Contest, an Emerging Artist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and received Best Songwriter honors at the Dallas/Ft Worth “Ghosty” awards.
Please note Week of Show price increases by $5 per ticket.
RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $30 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $30 Donation per ticket holder in your group.
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Box Office opens at 4:00pm ET
Starts 7:00pm, doors open 6:00pm
