Chicago Folk Band Receive John Lennon "Song Of The Year" Honors

By Katie Karpowicz in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 20, 2013 7:00PM

Photo courtesy of The Old Town School of Folk Music

This summer Chicago folk collective Jonas Friddle was the Majority was named the winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. As this is highly sought after title from the national competition that's been in existence for more than a decade and a half—not to mention the fact that it's judged by the likes of Bob Weir and Natasha Bedingfield and it's in honor of freaking John Lennon—a huge congratulations are in order.

Friddle, an instructor at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and his fellow band members -- many of whom also teach at Old Town School -- beat out 72 finalists, 24 grand prize winners and 12 Lennon Award winners to receive the sole "Song of the Year" award with their original track "Belle de Louisville." The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is conducted annually and open to amateur musicians of all genres.

A celebration is due and the Old Town School of Folk Music has risen to the occasion. Friddle and the Majority will perform at the School on September where they'll be presented with the award and a prize that's nothing to shake a fiddle at—$20,000 cash, professional recording equipment and a scholarship to the Digital Media Academy.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus will also be on site. The Bus, a non-profit mobile recording and production studio, tours the country providing workshops to young musicians.

"It's more than just an honor to be chosen for this award," Friddle said in a statement released by the Old Town School. "It's a rare moment of encouragement that has given a great breath of support to the music we make."

Given bluegrass and folk music's increasing mainstream popularity at the hand of bands like Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers, the genres' support hopefully won't find itself short winded any time soon. Heck, even Yo-Yo Ma has gone the way of the banjo.

Jonas Friddle and the Majority released their Kickstarter-funded album Use Your Voice this past July. More details about the September 18 concert and awards ceremony will be announced soon.

Here is the studio version of the award winning tune, "Belle de Louisville."