Belfast Nashville Songwriters' Festival

This years Katherine Brick Award for Young Songwriter of the Year is Belfast artist Gareth Dunlop

Panarts Celebrate Emerging Young Song Writing Talent

This years Katherine Brick Award for Young Songwriter of the Year is Belfast's own Gareth Dunlop.

It's been an amazing year for one of our most talented writers. In a special award concert at February's festival, Gareth performed on stage with Brian Kennedy and Scottish hit writer John Reid. Back in March 2010 we brought Gareth over to Nashville Tennessee to take part in our annual Panarts Belfast Nashville Songwriters Showcase. He played an 'In The Round' set at the Bluebird Café with Iain Archer (Leona Lewis, Snow Patrol...), Thin Lizzy frontman Ricky Warwick, Mark Selby ('Blue on Black') and Tia Sillers ('I Hope You Dance') in one of the most magical concerts I've ever experienced. Afterwards, leading Nashville publishing company Moraine Music offered Gareth a publishing deal that has led to several music industry deals.

Already, many of his songs have featured in several American television shows and thanks to Moraine, he has showcased his music in several states across America. With songs like 'Firefly', 'Tangled' and 'Miss Previously Loved' Gareth is proving to be a world-class songwriter with a very bright future. Well done Gareth, 2011 Katherine Brick Young Songwriter of the Year!!!

Colin Magee
Panarts Director

Sponsored by:

2010 Katherine Brick Award for Young Songwriter of the Year; Aaron Shanley

2009 Katherine Brick Award for Young Songwriter of the Year; Thom Southern