Impact and Give Back

THE

MUSIC MAKERS

Regardless of how old you are or where you grew up, chances are that music has played a big role in your life. It transcends time and connects people across the world, speaking words that—while deeply personal for the one who wrote them—seem to reach into your soul and touch something in you in a way that nothing else can.

BY LIESEL SCHMIDT

t was for the songwriters yet to be discovered that Greg Barnhill,

IBuzz Jackson, and Michael Blache first created the annual Songwriter Festival on the Northshore. Back in 2017, the three songwriters had aspiring dreams to highlight songwriting—and they knew that there were others who needed to be given the chance to shine. Starting with in-depth planning for staging, parking, and the recruiting of songwriters, the festival’s founders were soon joined by Christine Barnhill and Mary Grace Knapp as the group named and created the foundation for the festival. By November 2017, the Ozone Music Education Foundation received its 501c3 status as a nonprofit. The first Ozone Songwriters Festival took place in October of the following year; and by the second festival in 2019, more than 130 songwriters from 14 different states were featured. Over 1,200 attendees supported the event, proving that the Northshore is giving Nashville a run for its money.

While the festival is of great import, it is the foundation that is really making a difference. Created with the purpose of providing music education, support, and mentorship to those wanting to learn the music industry and develop skills and knowledge as songwriters and musicians, the Ozone Music Education Foundation has worked with hundreds of performers. Buzz Jackson, who received an award from the Louisiana Folklife Museum in 2019; Joe Sims, who was the 2020 Ozone Songwriter Contest Winner and labeled as "One to Watch" by the Nashville Songwriters Association International; and Hannah Belle, whose song, “Raised,” was 26th of the top 100

country songs in 2020, among many others. “The spectrum of talent runs from young, beginning songwriters and the American Idol winner Laine Hardy to Platinum Album-selling Anna Nalìck and Grammy Award-winning Gary Baker. We aim to give support and a platform to artists of all ages and demographics,” says Greg Barnhill, a songwriter, recording artist and music producer who has worked with a number of up-and-coming artists and notably won an Emmy, a song of the year award, and multiple Grammy nominations. He also won top awards for the advertising version of the Grammys.

“We want music education to be available to individuals of all ages who want to pursue music to their fullest ability and desire, and we want songwriters and performing artists to have collaboration and networking opportunities to support their music development,” he goes on. “We are also working towards helping St. Tammany Parish become a thriving music community for local, regional, and national musicians, with the hopes of providing a commercially attractive hub for recording artists to create, produce, and showcase recorded music, including content for film, TV, and broadcast advertising. We want St. Tammany Parish to be a desired music destination for locals, visitors and tourists to hear and enjoy music.”

From its inception, the goal of Ozone Music Education Foundation was to be an organization that gave back to the community. Proceeds from all events go to the Ozone Music Gifting (OMG!) program, which provides musical instruments and lessons to children between the ages of 10 to 18 residing in St. Tammany Parish. “We are helping fill a void with music education for kids and adults alike, exposing them to music education as well as the inner workings of the music industry,” says Barnhill. “We believe that communities that have a cultural anchor are more cohesive

“We are helping fill a void with music education for kids and adults alike, exposing them to music education as well as the inner workings of the music industry.”

and better places to live. We aim to create that anchor through songwriting and performing. We also envision our music events to be a bridge and cultural music exchange with songwriters from other cities and states. All in all, many aspects of the community are positively affected. Education, the arts, and economic development are all benefitted by our organization.”

Over the past four years, the impact that Ozone has made in the community has been significant. Free instruments and training are provided for children in the community who otherwise could not afford it, and their annual festival and sound-off events have stimulated the economy and brought in musicians from across the country to perform. In addition, aspiring songwriters and musicians are given opportunities to learn the music business from professional and successful experts. The foundation holds seminars on everything from recording and recording equipment to how to use social media and increase your numbers, to how to play an instrument.

Thankfully, the organization is back on track with events after the pandemic, with the Ozone Songwriters Festival slated for the first weekend of November. Smaller events and performances will also be held at other venues throughout the St. Tammany area. Funding for the organization comes from contributions from board members, community and private donors, and grants from the Parish as well as proceeds from ticket sales from the Songwriters Festival, Sound Off, and Symposium, entry fees for the songwriting contest, and merchandise and concession sales.

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Ann Habisreitinger Barré, Lisa Barnett, Leslie Martin & Rebecca Dougherty Mandie Manzano Zulema, Matthew, Conrad, Lyla Silvernale & ClaudiaAnn Habisreitinger Barré, Lisa Barnett, Leslie Martin & Rebecca Dougherty Mandie Manzano

Owen Strain & Matt Huddleston

Becky, Abby & Holly Blair Catherine Cooper & Dr. Charles CaplisChalk FestOwen Strain & Matt Huddleston Chalk Fest Photos by Jen Meadows Photos by Jen Meadows

Chalk Fest, an arts festival at the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany, that is annual creative community event. The categories this year were: St. Tammany Proud, where artists are encouraged to produce art specific to St. Tammany culture; and, The Spirit of the Child, an expression of childhood and whimsy. Chalk Fest, an arts festival at the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany, that is annual creative community event. The categories this year were: St. Tammany Proud, where artists are encouraged to produce art specific to St. Tammany culture; and, The Spirit of the Child, an expression of childhood and whimsy.

Tara Nichols, Amelia Trosclair & OllieBecky, Abby & Holly Blair