By Jane Sorenson

The winners of the annual singer-songwriter competition have officially begun their summer mini-tour. On June 17th, Ginger Coyle, Reed Kendall, Katie Barbato, and Chris “Griz” Grunwald performed at the Rose-tree Park in Media Pennsylvania.

During this free outdoor concert, audiences were able to encounter a variety of musical styles in a short period of time. Producer’s choice winner Griz says that, though lately he listens to mostly local artists, he’s had experience with lots of different genres throughout his life.

“As a kid, my dad was a big Sinatra fan, and when I was 19 my wife Joy introduced me to the Grateful Dead. When I was younger I was into punk rock, and now I combine that energy with a folk sound.”

These diverse influences are reflected in a performance that captures the mood of the summer night with traces of blues and reggae. This laid back vibe continued when Katie Barbato got onstage. Accompanied by her husband Matt Teacher, the Berkely graduate charmed listeners with her soulful voice and lyrics. She fondly describes her experience with the Philadelphia Songwriter’s Project.

“One of my favorite things that I’ve done with the project is the annual Living Beyond Breast Cancer event. I play outside the art museum to help raise awareness. ”

A small forest by the amphitheater at Rose-tree Park became a rehearsal space for Ginger Coyle before her set. The choice to play music in the woods is indicative of the singer-songwriter’s striking originality. She hasn’t followed the beaten path, which has resulted in fascinating experiences that help drive her creativity.

“Music has always been my passion. I learn the most from experience, so instead of going to college I found a lot of different opportunities in the industry. I used to be in a hip-hop group, which was a lot of fun, but I’m happy to be doing my own thing now. Listening to my old stuff makes me realize how much I’ve grown.”

The mission of the Philadelphia Songwriter’s project is to provide a resource for local artists. This fosters a spirit of community that is epitomized by Reed Kendall and his band Up the Chain, who regularly play at open mics and other venues around Philly.

“I’ve played some really great gigs with the project and had a pretty amazing experience. I think no matter what happens in the industry, creative music and sharing and connecting with people on an artistically credible level will always exist.”