Arts Culture CommunityA Still Small Voice 4U Inc. (ASSV) is a 501(c)3 not for profit devoted to encouraging and supporting arts, music, literature, culture and community. ASSV directly supports individuals and organizations that share its mission and commitment. ASSV sponsors concerts, exhibits, performances, readings and community activities.
ASSV does not solicit donations or conduct fund raising for itself. Those wanting to support our efforts are encouraged to buy tickets to the events we sponsor. A Still Small Voice 4U 2021 Songwriting Contest Open to: Singer songwriters either individual or group Entry fee: none Submission deadline: October 15, 2021 Theme: Louder Than the Guns (this phrase does not have to occur in the song). The phrase comes from a Phil Ochs song "When I'm Gone" but do not feel constrained by that. Submission requirements:
Production: This is a songwriting contest so the emphasis is on the lyrics and the music that supports them not on the production values of the recording. Submit to: assv4u@hotmail.com with subject: 2021 Songwriting contest One submission per artist/group. Please note: This is a songwriting contest so all songs submitted should be new songs inspired by the theme. Prizes: $1000, $500, and $250 Criteria: My primary focus will be on the lyrics - do they tell the story, paint the picture, are they creative and well crafted, and do they address the theme? Second, does the music support and enhance the lyrics? Overall, is the song compelling? Does it have an emotional impact? Do I want to listen to it again? And finally, do I want to play it for my listeners? Is it "Music They Don't Want You to Hear"? Airplay: Depending on number of submissions I hope to feature all songs submitted on my radio show and a free download of featured songs will be made available to the Folk DJ list (any artist may opt out of that and in any case may distribute their song as they see fit) Judge: Ron Cooke - Folk DJ KTAL-LP; Director, A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. (ASSV) is a 501(c)3 not for profit devoted to encouraging and supporting arts, music, literature, culture and community. ASSV directly supports individuals and organizations that share its mission and commitment. ASSV sponsors concerts, exhibits, readings and community activities. ASSV does not solicit donations or conduct fund raising for itself. A Still Small Voice 4U Ron Cooke Program: Music They Don't Want You to Hear Schedule: Sunday 6-8 PM (MT) on KTAL 101.5 FM Encore: Wednesday 10:00pm on KTAL 101.5 FM Streaming at http://www.lccommunityradio.org Archived at https://www.mixcloud.com/assv4u/ Digital Music for airplay to : assv4u@hotmail.com Annual Art Juried Art Show A Still Small Voice 4U announces the winners of the 2021 juried art show at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts, Sand Lake, NY. Entries to the show and prize awards were selected by juror Phillip Williamston. 1st place Offerings by Judy Scarlotta 2nd place For Karl by Alan Opresko 3rd place Untitled photograph by Denise Pensky Best interpretation of lyrics For Karl by Alan Opresko Cash awards of $300, $200, $100 and $100 will be given at an artists' reception July 24. For four years ASSV has sponsored a juried show requiring artists to react to a specific Phil Ochs song. This year's selection was "Hands." The gallery is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 pm, where the show will be available through August. Reggie Harris wins 2021 Phil Ochs Award A Still Small Voice 4U presented the 2021 Phil Ochs Award to Reggie Harris in recognition of his music and activism for social and political justice in the spirit of Phil Ochs. Reggie was presented with a plaque commemorating the award and a cash stipend of $2000 at the Old Songs Festival on Saturday June 26,2021. The award was presented by Phil Ochs' sister Sonny Ochs and by Ron and Kathy Cooke representing A Still Small Voice 4U which sponsors the award. Reggie Harris is an innovative guitarist, a fearlessly creative vocalist, and an engaging storyteller whose concert performances are infused with joy. It’s clear to all that he deeply loves singing and that it is more than his work. But that’s not all. Uniquely committed to “music as a community building vehicle,” Reggie’s music shares insightful perspectives on issues of life, history, education and human rights. In the spirit of his mentors, Pete Seeger and Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, (founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock), Reggie is a master songleader who loves to help people discover that they can make a difference at any age, wherever they may live. Reggie currently serves as co-president of the Board and Director of Music Living Legacy Project dedicated tp sharing the Civil Rights Movement story and what this story teaches us about the continued work that still needs to be done The Phil Ochs Award is presented annually by A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. (ASSV) a 501(c)3 not for profit devoted to encouraging and supporting arts, music, literature, culture and community. The award is determined by a national panel of judges. ASSV directly supports individuals and organizations that share its mission and commitment and sponsors concerts, exhibits, performances, readings and community activities. More information is available at http://www.assv4u.com/. Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to: Ron Cooke mailto:assv4u@hotmail.com 518-428-3296 Martyn Joseph wins 2020 Phil Ochs Award A Still Small Voice 4U presented the 2020 Phil Ochs Award to Martyn Joseph in recognition of his music and activism for social and political justice in the spirit of Phil Ochs. Martyn was presented with a plaque commemorating the award and a cash stipend of $2000 at a virtual concert from his home in Wales UK on Sunday October 11, 2020. The award was presented by Phil Ochs' sister Sonny Ochs and by Ron and Kathy Cooke representing A Still Small Voice 4U which sponsors the award. Martyn Joseph is a completely unique and mind blowing artist. Take everything you think you know about singer songwriters….and rip it up. For one man and a guitar he creates a performance with a huge far-reaching sound that is energetic, compelling and passionate. Be it to two hundred people or twenty thousand, he blows the crowd away night after night. He is gifted with the rare ability to speak to the soul with his expressive and poignant lyrics and has a career spanning 30 years, 32 albums, over a half a million record sales and thousands of live performances. Compared to Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews, he has created his own style and reputation as a mesmerising live performer and stands in his own right, built on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best live music experience of their lives. A unique talent driven by passion, social awareness and love for his trade, he’s a jaw dropping guitar player who has developed a unique percussive style, teamed up with a powerful show stopping voice, and has been called “The Welsh Springsteen” In addition to his 5 top 50 UK hits, the importance of his work has been recognised by programmes such as BBC Radio 2’s prime time series on Singer/Songwriters. Social justice has an essential presence throughout his music, which has been recognised with various humanitarian awards and plaudits. 2014 saw him take the spirit of his music onto a more practical footing with the launch of his “Let Yourself Trust”, a not-for-profit organisation which aims to make a small difference out of great love and commitment by challenging injustice wherever it’s found, educating via advocacy, campaigning for human rights, and raising issues that have been forgotten or ignored via fundraising initiatives, thus bringing about greater awareness for beautiful people in powerless situations. He’s also Patron of Advantage Africa and Festival Spirit in the UK and Project Somos in Canada/Guatemala. The Phil Ochs Award is presented annually by A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. (ASSV) a 501(c)3 not for profit devoted to encouraging and supporting arts, music, literature, culture and community. The award is determined by a national panel of judges. ASSV directly supports individuals and organizations that share its mission and commitment and sponsors concerts, exhibits, performances, readings and community activities. More information is available at http://www.assv4u.com/. Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to: Ron Cooke mailto:assv4u@hotmail.com 518-428-3296 Songwriting Contest A Still Small Voice 4U 2020 Songwriting Contest Award Announcement Criteria: My primary focus was on the lyrics - did they tell the story, paint the picture, were they creative and well crafted, and did they address the theme? Second, did the music support and enhance the lyrics? Overall, was the song compelling? Did it have an emotional impact? Did I want to listen to it again? And finally, did I want to play it for my listeners? Was it "Music They Don't Want You to Hear"? Awards: My original intent was to award 3 cash prizes. However, given the very high quality of the submissions I felt it necessary to increase the number of awards and since it was impossible to select a "winner" (an idea I never liked) I restructured the prizes. Awards were made in two tiers. Tier one awardees will each receive $250. Tier two will each receive $100. The awardees ( in alphabetical order) and their songs are: Tier One -$250: Larry Bach - Original Sin Tret Fure - Monuments Ernest Troost - All the World Before Us Laura Zucker - Memorial Day Tier two - $100 Jordi Baizan - Melt Me Down Arthur Davenport - La Rosa Dulce Dean Driver - Silent Sam Dave Kleiner & Dennis Dougherty - Stone Mountain Louise Luger - Crown of Liberty Airplay: All the songs were played on my radio show on KTAL on Sunday August 30, 2020 and the award winners were publicly announced. The show is available at https://www.mixcloud.com/assv4u/ then click on "Music They Don't Want You to Hear" 8-30-2020 Entries: Kyle Alden - The Galway Apprentice Larry Bach - Original Sin Jordi Baizan - Melt Me Down Arthur Davenport - La Rosa Dulce Dean Driver - Silent Sam Tret Fure - Monuments Dave Kleiner & Dennis Dougherty - Stone Mountain Nathan Leigh And The Crisis Actors - The Tulsa Post-Modernist Society Larry Lesser - Stack The Stones Louise Luger - Crown Of Liberty Trip McCool aka Dennis Dougherty - The Happy Prince Tom O'Bedlam - Memorial for a Blacksmith Alice Osborn - The Snow Won’t Ever Melt The Pinkerton Raid - Jefferson Davis Highway The Social Hour - France With You Martin Swinger - From Your Gravity Ernest Troost - All The World Before Us Phil Ward - Bob Dylan’s A Genius Richard Weissman - New Homes On The Range West My Friend - The New World Laura Zucker - Memorial Day Thanks to all the great songwriters who submitted entries. Ron Cooke A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. Program: Music They Don't Want You to Hear Schedule: Sunday 6-8 PM (MT) on KTAL 101.5 FM Encore: Wednesday 10:00pm on KTAL 101.5 FM Streaming at http://www.lccommunityradio.org Archived at https://www.mixcloud.com/assv4u/ Third Annual Art Show a Success In collaboration with the Sand Lake Center for the Arts, Sand Lake, NY, A Still Small Voice 4U presented the 3rd annual art show in July and August 2020. Artists were invited to interpret the Phil Ochs' song The Power and Glory. Over 35 submissions competed for acceptance. Matthew Crane, art faculty at UAlbany acted as juror, selecting 20 pieces for the show. Winners of cash prizes were Nancy McCaffrey (first), Neil Brown (second), Sheri Sidor (third) and William Barrett (best interpretation) The art included work in pastels, oils, and acrylics as well as photography, sculpture and needle felting. The Arts Center did a wonderful job of making the show safely available to visitors on weekends, and at the closing reception. This show will be presented again in July 2021. Artists are invited to monitor the Sand Lake Center for the Arts’ website (slca-ctp.org) for submission details. There is no submission fee. Meeting Needs in a Challenging Environment As most of the world has experienced, A Still Small Voice has had to cancel its participation in many events this year. However, that has only challenged us to be creative and to recognize needs where they exist. For example, our song writing contest resulted in cash prizes and radio air time for 21 singer-songwriters. The juried art show went on in a controlled format, but drew respectable crowds and continued to build a following among both artists and art lovers. In response to the need of those who lost their jobs, ASSV increased it support of local food pantries. In order to shore up venues which had to cancel most of their season, we supplemented the budgets of an arts center and a music festival organizer. Sharon Katz wins 2019 Phil Ochs Award A Still Small Voice 4U presented the 2019 Phil Ochs Award to Sharon Katz in recognition of her music and activism for social and political justice in the spirit of Phil Ochs. Sharon was presented with a plaque commemorating the award and a cash stipend of $2000 at the Old Songs Folk Festival in Altamont, NY on Friday June 28,2019. The award was presented by Phil Ochs' sister Sonny Ochs and by Ron and Kathy Cooke representing A Still Small Voice 4U which sponsors the award. Sharon Katz was born in Port Elizabeth, now known as Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. As a young teenager during the terrible apartheid era, she used to sneak out to the “Blacks Only” townships by hiding under blankets in the back seat of her friend’s car. There, she met with the now-famous actors in Athol Fugard’s group, John Kani and Winston Ntshona, and began her lifelong mission of using music to help break down the country’s artificially-imposed racial barriers. Back in 1992, Sharon made history in her home country of South Africa when she formed the country’s first-ever, 500-member multi-cultural and multi-lingual performing group and staged the production called “When Voices Meet.” Then in 1993, Sharon rocked the nation with her concert tour, “The Peace Train.” The first performance had been so successful and so widely publicized that invitations began pouring in from all over the country. To respond to all the requests, Sharon got sponsors to hire a train – The Peace Train – and took 150 of the performers, her friends Ladysmith Black Mambazo, as well as TV and radio crews on tour throughout the country. At each stop along the route, they performed their concert and encouraged people of all races, cultures, ages and political affiliations to put down their guns and hostilities and to prepare for the country’s transition to a peaceful democracy. The performing group became known as “The Peace Train” forever more, and all the world watched as Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected President a few months later. “When Voices Meet” is the award-winning documentary about Sharon Katz & The Peace Train. You can see the trailer at www.whenvoicesmeet.com The Phil Ochs Award is presented annually by A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. (ASSV) a 501(c)3 not for profit devoted to encouraging and supporting arts, music, literature, culture and community. The award is determined by a national panel of judges. ASSV directly supports individuals and organizations that share its mission and commitment and sponsors concerts, exhibits, performances, readings and community activities. More information is available at http://www.assv4u.com/. Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to: Ron Cooke mailto:assv4u@hotmail.com 518-428-3296 A Still Small Voice Supports Music Stage Once again A Still Small Voice 4U was pleased to sponsor a stage in the Whaling Museum at the New Bedford MA Summerfest July 6 and 7, 2019. This popular music festival is held every year, drawing performers from across the US as well as Canada, the UK and Australia. By sponsoring a stage ASSV reduces festival costs and helps ensure that this event can continue. The performers on the Whaling Museum stage included The Nields, The Kennedys, Pamela Means, Guy Davis, Anne Hills among others. Art Show Recognizes Local Talent In collaboration with the Sand Lake Center for the Arts, Sand Lake, NY, A Still Small Voice 4U presented an art show in July and August 2019. In connection with the 100th anniversary of Pete Seeger’s birth artists were invited to interpret his song “Turn, Turn, Turn.” Over 50 submissions competed for first, second, third and people’s choice awards, each carrying a cash prize. Jason Van Stavern, art faculty at UAlbany and Hudson Valley Community College, acted as juror. Winners were Kelly Tankersley (first), Liz Smith (second), Joan Hogan (third) and Alan Opreska (people’s choice) The art included work in pastels, oils, and acrylics as well as photography and sculpture. This show will be presented again in July 2020. Artists are invited to monitor the Sand Lake Center for the Arts’ website (slca-ctp.org) for submission details. There is no submission fee John Flynn wins 2018 Phil Ochs Award A Still Small Voice 4U presented the 2018 Phil Ochs Award to John Flynn in recognition of his music and activism for social and political justice in the spirit of Phil Ochs. John was presented with a plaque commemorating the award and a cash stipend of $2000. The award was presented by Phil Ochs' sister Sonny Ochs and by Ron and Kathy Cooke and Chad Phillips representing A Still Small Voice 4U which sponsors the award. John Flynn is an American singer-songwriter and activist known for his powerful music and tireless efforts on behalf of “the lost and the lonely, the shackled and scarred”. His career has embodied an authentic troubadour odyssey that moved legendary folk DJ Gene Shay to call Flynn "the most quintessential folk singer in my life", and Andrew L. Braunfeld of the Philadelphia Folk Festival to say, "It has been disappointing that the world of folk music has not, during the last half century, been creating many new heroes. John Flynn is a notable exception, and is worthy of our respect as he follows the paths of Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs and Kris Kristofferson." Over three and a half decades, John Flynn’s music has carried him from Jersey shore bars to Nashville’s Music Row; from home plate performances in major league ballparks to concerts in maximum-security prisons; from star-studded benefit shows at Tipitina’s in New Orleans to awareness-building appearances at the Walter Reed Military Hospital and the Dover Air Force Base. Along the way Flynn has continued to make new friends and fans as he has given of his defiantly unguarded heart and optimistic spirit from large and small stages, living rooms, pulpits and schools across this country. A wordsmith of rare facility, Flynn’s songs are laced with keenly observed and soul-resonant scraps of irony, humor, stumbled-on wisdom, and streetwise compassion. Reflecting on some of this music, long-time friend and Flynn champion Kris Kristofferson has called John “an important artist whose work in prisons, rehabs, and half-way houses is distilled into the truth and the beauty of heartfelt and heart warming slices of life”. The Phil Ochs Award is presented annually by A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. (ASSV) a 501(c)3 not for profit devoted to encouraging and supporting arts, music, literature, culture and community. The award is determined by a national panel of judges. ASSV directly supports individuals and organizations that share its mission and commitment and sponsors concerts, exhibits, performances, readings and community activities. More information is available at http://www.assv4u.com/. Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to: Ron Cooke mailto:assv4u@hotmail.com 518-428-3296 Charlie King wins 2017 Phil Ochs Award 
Charlie King wins 2017 Phil Ochs Award
Charlie King, the musical storyteller and political satirist, won the 2017 Phil Ochs Award given to singer songwriters whose music and activism embody the spirit and commitment of legendary folk singer Phil Ochs. Charlie has been at the heart of American folk music for half a century. He sings and writes passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. His songs have been sung by Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, Peggy Seeger, Chad Mitchell and Judy Small, to name a few. Pete Seeger called Charlie “One of the finest singers and songwriters of our time.” Among Charlie's best known songs are "Buy, Buy This American Car", That's the Way I Made My Millions", "Two Good Arms" and "Send in the Drones". Charlie was presented with a plaque commemorating the award and a cash stipend of $2000 at a concert presented by the Schenectady County Historical Society at Mabee Farms Dutch Barn in Rotterdam Junction, NY on Sunday October 8, 2017. The award was presented by Phil Ochs' sister Sonny Ochs and by Ron and Kathy Cooke and Chad Phillips representing A Still Small Voice 4U that sponsors the award. Additional funding was generously contributed by Michael Sussman, a civil rights and environmental lawyer, from Orange County, NY. The Phil Ochs Award is presented annually by A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. (ASSV) a 501(c)3 not for profit devoted to encouraging and supporting arts, music, literature, culture and community. The award is determined by a national panel of judges. ASSV directly supports individuals and organizations that share its mission and commitment and sponsors concerts, exhibits, performances, readings and community activities. More information is available at http://www.assv4u.com/. Charlie King may be reached through his web site: http://charlieking.org/ Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to: Ron Cooke mailto:assv4u@hotmail.com 518-428-3296 Phil Ochs Award Phil Ochs Award Criteria · accomplished songwriter & compelling performer · grounded in the folk tradition (Woody, Pete, Ronnie, Leadbelly, Buffy, Phil et al) · advances the spirit of Phil's music and activism · demonstrates a commitment to social justice and community engagement Award is open to individuals or groups Winner receives a cash award. A national panel of judges will review the nominations and make recommendations to the board of ASSV4U. Use the form below to submit nominations or for more information email us at: assv4u@hotmail.com Presented by: A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. CONCERT MODEL Through partnership with local organizations ASSV uses concerts to both support performers and to benefit local groups connected to the arts, social causes or other charities. ASSV covers the cost of the artist. The partner organization provides a venue if possible and handles ticketing. ASSV, the partner organization and the performer all collaborate on advertising. All ticket proceeds go to the partner organization. In this way the performer gets exposure at a paid presentation and the benefiting organization has a fund raiser.. AWARDS ASSV presents the Annual Phil Ochs' Award given to an individual or group whose activities carry on the spirit of Phil Ochs' music and activism. For information or to suggest possible recipients please email us at assv4u@hotmail.com.
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