Please welcome a new judge this year! Susan Cattaneo, Professor of songwriting at Berklee College of Music and an amazing singer/songwriter!
Jon Evans
Musician, Composer, Producer, Studio Engineer, and Musical Director. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 1991, Jon moved to California and quickly became part of the burgeoning music scene in the San Francisco Bay area. Over the next 20 years, he found himself recording and touring internationally with Linda Perry, Tori Amos, Paula Cole, Chris Cornell, Sarah McLachlan and others. The pull to spend more time back east was strong, so when the opportunity to build a studio in a bucolic setting presented itself, I jumped at the chance. At Brick Hill, whether I’m producing and mixing records, or composing with Stellwagen Symphonette and Ridiculon, it feels like anything is possible. Jon has been touring in Europe with Tori Amos in 2023 and will continue in the US in 2024.
Jess Phaneuf
Jess has been on air at WERS, MVYRADIO and WUMB and she was the Music Director at MVYRADIO from 2018 until 2023. She also worked brief stints at Club Passim in Cambridge and at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River. Since 2016, she’s been back on stage in community theatre productions at Massasoit Community College, Hingham Civic Music Theatre and the Academy of Performing Arts. Jess is thrilled to be back on air at WUMB, hosting WUMB Sunday Morning – Sundays from 8a – 12p.
Susan Cattaneo
Professor of Songwriting at Berklee, Singer-Songwriter. With her powerful voice, captivating melodies and finely-crafted lyrics, Susan Cattaneo is one of Boston’s most respected singer-songwriters. Combining vivid storytelling with a modern songwriter’s spin, Susan’s music blends folk, rock and blues with hint of country. She likes to call it, “New England Americana”. Susan’s latest album, All is Quiet charted #2 and was a top 25 Album of 2022 on the FAI Folk Radio chart. Susan won the CT Folk Festival and was nominated for Singer Songwriter of the Year at the 2022 Boston Music Awards. She has been a finalist or winner in the country’s most prestigious songwriting and music contests including being a three-time Kerrville New Folk finalist.
Monica Rizzio
Singer-Songwriter/Touring Musician. After graduating from Belmont Univ in 2003 (Nashville, TN) she found her way back to the East Coast. With a perspective equally influenced by her Texas roots and her Cape Cod home, Americana singer-songwriter Monica Rizzio has emerged as one of the finest talents in the East Coast music scene. She has been nominated for a Boston Music Award as Country Artist of the Year, nominated for Best Country Album for the Independent Music Awards and winner of the Grassy Hill Songwriting Competition for the CT. Folk Festival. She has also landed several placements in Film and TV. Aside from her solo project with Monica Rizzio & The Round Ups she is often found alongside Tom Rush playing fiddle and singing in his band. Monica has a deep passion as an educator and started Washashore Music, an instructional music studio in Orleans focusing on teaching students of all ages. She is also founder of Vinegrass Music, a non-profit focusing on raising money for our scholarship fund, instruments in the schools and teacher grants.