'What If' a double winner

A Geneva woman took home top honors at the first Art In Your Ear songwriting contest Saturday.

Beatrice Eveland was the grand-prize winner for her song "What If." The song also won in the BrokenHearted/Breakup/Loved But Not Loved Back category. She won $500, a $500 gift certificate to Hix Bros. Music and three hours of recording studio time.

First-place prizes were given out in each category and there was also a people's choice award that was voted on by the audience.

"I really enjoyed the songs tonight," she said. "It was an honor to be chosen with so many strong songwriters."

The event took place on the patio of O'Brien's Pub in Batavia. More than 200 people turned out to hear original songs submitted by the 15 finalists. About 80 people entered the contest.

"(I liked) seeing how everybody was into doing their song and everyone was into hearing everybody else's song," said Paul Weiland, one of the event's organizers.

Weiland worked with Batavia City Administrator Bill McGrath to put together this event and it was a part of the yearly Art in Your Eye festival that took place at the Batavia Riverwalk Aug. 11 and 12.

Judges included Steve Warrenfeltz of Kiss the Sky music store in Geneva; Margaret Carlson, a Grammy-nominated vocalist; and Geno Brien, radio personality from 95.9 FM WERV "The River."

The winning songs were chosen before the performing event. The criteria included originality, composition, lyrics and melody on the pre-recorded tracks sent in, and not how well the songs were performed.

The audience members, however, were very enthusiastic about the performances.

During Patrick J. Moynihan's performance of "Apologize," which was awarded the People's Choice Award, his mother, Marine Moynihan, was right in front of the stage taking pictures and singing along enthusiastically.

"I always think Patrick's performances are awesome," she said.

For updates about next year's contest, visit www.artinyoureye.com/artinyourear.htm.

The night's big winners

Grand Prize

Beatrice Eveland, Geneva, "What If"

People's Choice

Patrick J. Moynihan, Batavia, "Apologize"

Blues

Noah Gabriel, Aurora, "Love Won't Leave Me Alone"

Country

Rodney Hamblen, Elburn, "It Takes A Lot of Money To Look That Cheap"

Ballad

Rodney Hamblen, Elburn, "Kisses on the Wind"

Pop/Rock

Emily Henderson, Wheaton, "Autumn"

Broken-Hearted/Breakup/Loved But Not Loved Back

Beatrice Eveland, Geneva, "What If"