Downey selected for South Florida Folk Festival
Feb. 12, 2004
KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's Allison Downey was one of 20 finalists selected from more than 300 international applicants to perform in the singer/songwriter competition at the South Florida Folk Festival in January. Each applicant submitted two songs, and finalists were selected through a blind judging.
Downey says she was in "good company" at the festival in Ft. Lauderdale. "Among the finalists was a Nashville songwriter, who's songs have been cut by Kathy Mattea and Trisha Yearwood; a Canadian singer/songwriter, who worked with Gordon Lightfoot; and the festival winner, Tret Fure, who is on her sixth CD and is a major player in the women's folk movement."
Downey is an assistant professor of creative arts education in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership. She has been singing in public since age 10, has performed throughout the United States and internationally in Canada, Italy, Mexico and Spain and appears regularly at Kraftbrau and other local venues. Her debut CD, "Wind at Your Back," was released in 2002. For more information and a schedule of upcoming performances, visit <www.allisondowney.com>.
Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu