Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 01, 2025
Emily Barnes Wins Hey Nonny Songwriting Contest with "Comets"
TLDR
- Emily Barnes won $1,000 and a performance slot at Hey Nonny's songwriting contest, gaining valuable exposure and career advancement opportunities.
- The Hey Nonny Songwriting Contest featured three qualifying rounds with 12 finalists judged on originality, structure, harmony, and lyrics by industry professionals.
- Hey Nonny and the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer support local artists through this contest, strengthening community arts and providing creative opportunities.
- The contest showcased diverse musical styles from folk to blues, with winners performing original songs about comets, relationships, and fine red wine.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it highlights the vital role local businesses and professional firms play in nurturing artistic talent within communities. The partnership between Hey Nonny and the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration can create meaningful opportunities for emerging artists, providing both financial support and performance platforms that might otherwise be inaccessible. For aspiring musicians and songwriters, such contests offer crucial exposure and validation that can launch careers, while for the broader community, they enrich cultural life and strengthen local arts ecosystems. The success of this annual event, with over 180 entries, signals healthy creative energy in the region and shows how sustained investment in arts programming can yield significant returns in talent development and community engagement.
Summary
The fourth annual Hey Nonny Songwriting Contest concluded with Emily Barnes claiming the top prize of $1,000 and a performance slot at the venue for her original song "Comets." The competition, sponsored by the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, attracted dozens of local songwriters to the Hey Nonny stage in downtown Arlington Heights. Judges Jenny Bienemann, Robin Bienemann, and Erich Specht evaluated entries based on originality, structure, harmony, and lyrics across three qualifying rounds that showcased twelve talented finalists. Brandon Reisdorf secured second place with "The Worst Way We Could Go" earning $400, while Val Leventhal took third with "Fine Red Wine" receiving $300, with all finalists receiving commemorative trophies.
Hey Nonny co-owner Chip Brooks expressed enthusiasm about the event's success, noting they received over 180 entries with many exceptional submissions. The venue itself represents one of the country's premier new "listening rooms," hosting live music six days a week featuring Chicago's finest jazz, blues, country, folk, and rock acts alongside touring performers. Under new chef Tim Vidrio, the bistro serves fresh seasonal Midwestern dishes with a constantly evolving menu. Ron Wittmeyer of the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer emphasized their commitment to supporting the songwriting community through their sponsorship, encouraging musicians to continue writing and exploring new musical ideas as part of their ongoing dedication to local arts.
The contest has become a significant platform for emerging songwriters since its inception, providing valuable exposure and performance opportunities at the intimate Arlington Heights venue. For more information about the venue and its offerings, visit HeyNonny.com, while details about the sponsoring law firm can be found at InjuryLawAttorneys.com. The Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer has supported the contest from its launch as part of their broader community engagement, celebrating 40 years of client service while fostering local artistic talent through meaningful partnerships like this songwriting competition that brings creative voices to the forefront of the Chicago-area music scene.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Emily Barnes Wins Hey Nonny Songwriting Contest with "Comets"
