For the second year now, Parkway Plaza opened its doors to the West Coast Country Music Challenge 2015 at the Sears pavilion on July 18. Shoppers received an unexpected treat as they were drawn as the sound of country music led them to watch contestants 12-years and older show three judges just what their pipes are capable of. Sponsored by the West Coast Country Music Association San Diego, contestants took the stage with traditional country, new country and duos. The competition was also open to bluegrass, folk, gospel and bands.
For the second year now, Parkway Plaza opened its doors to the West Coast Country Music Challenge 2015 at the Sears pavilion on July 18. Shoppers received an unexpected treat as they were drawn as the sound of country music led them to watch contestants 12-years and older show three judges just what their pipes are capable of. Sponsored by the West Coast Country Music Association San Diego, contestants took the stage with traditional country, new country and duos. The competition was also open to bluegrass, folk, gospel and bands.
James Holland Cramer, president of the WCCMA San Diego chapter (and lead singer for one of East County’s home-grown bands Barbwire) said the non-profit is a launching pad for many artists, and it is the Association’s job to mentor up and coming country music artist, giving them a platform in singing techniques, getting them out on stage to improve their stage performance and provide them with the tools to succeed.
He had a lot of help from the Temecula Chapter and California WCCMA President Gwyn Sanford, involved in the Association since 1991, when she started out as a singer in the competitions.
But it’s not over for the first and second place winners, as they have the chance to head to Pigeon Forge, TN this summer to compete in the WCCMA Nationals. Last year’s winners of both the San Diego and Temecula Chapters represented California well, with many of the contestants bringing home national awards.
On July 26, at Urbn St. Brewing Co. in El Cajon, contestants received awards based on judge’s scores with Kathryn Cloward of Mission Valley and Nathan Timms of Lakeside bringing home multiple awards for their performances. Cloward is a singer songwriter, whose original music earned Adult Female Vocalist, Entertainer, Album and Song of the Year awards, while Timms earned bragging rights to Adult Male Singer, Most Promising Vocalist, Male Entertainer (in both traditional and new country) and Adult Male Horizon Vocalist of the Year awards.
Timms said he was grateful for the help of the WCCMA He said the encouragement and support given to him is helping him become the best performer he can be, and that events like this not only give him recognition, but also the ability to gain more experience with his on stage performances.
Cloward said she was thankful for the opportunity that the WCCMA provides in giving her music another chance to be heard and recognized.
WCCMA WEST COAST COUNTRY MUSIC CHALLENGE 2015 WINNERS
TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
* Marie Cramer, 13-16 Female Vocalist of the Year
* Kathryn Cloward, Adult Female Vocalist of The Year
* Kathryn Cloward, Adult Female Entertainer of The Year
* William Herring, Adult Male Rising Star Vocalist of the Year
* Robert Pesta, Adult Male Horizon Vocalist of the Year
* Nathan Timms, Adult Male Most Promising Vocalist of the Year
* Tom Geldner, Adult Male Vocalist of the Year
* William Herring, Adult Male Most Promising Entertainer of the Year
* Nathan Timms, Adult Male Entertainer of the Year
* Kathryn Cloward, Album of The Year “A Soft Place to Fall”
* Kathryn Cloward, Song of The Year “Lightening Love”
DUOS
* Holland + Sanborn, Adult Traditional Country Duo of the Year
NEW COUNTRY
* Holly Petrucci, 7-12 Female Vocalist of the Year
* Holly Petrucci, 7-12 Female Entertainer of The Year
* Marie Cramer, 13-16 Most Promising Female Vocalist of The Year
* Bridget Donnelly, 13-16 Female Vocalist of The Year
* Bridget Donnelly, 13-16 Female Entertainer of The Year
* Robert Pesta , Adult Male Most Promising Entertainer of the Year
* Nathan Timms, Adult Male Entertainer of the Year
* Stacey Weber, Adult Female Most Promising Vocalist of The Year
* Brandy Lee, Adult Female Vocalist of The Year
* Nathan Timms, Adult Male Horizon Vocalist of The Year
* Robert Pesta, Adult Male Most Promising Vocalist of The Year
* Barrie Dempsey, Adult Male Vocalist of The Year
