For the second year in a row, someone with ties to Rockingham County, North Carolina, is a finalist in MerleFest‘s famed Chris Austin Songwriting Contest.

Courtney Rorrer of Madison and Asa Gravley of Beckley, West Virginia,  are finalists in the bluegrass category for their tune,  “Midnight Tears,” and will perform Friday, April 29. Last year, Carri Smithey (now of Burlington, N.C., but used to live in Madison), Josh Coe (Saxapahaw, N.C.), Ryan Burgess (Burlington, N.C.) and Keith Ingalls (Burlington, N.C.)  were finalists in the country category of the contest for their song “No More.” Continue reading →