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Local
 Songwriting 
Competition

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Local
 Songwriting 
Competition

Nashville native Robert Counts was named the newest winner of Puckett’s Rising Star competition
Tuesday night at Puckett’s in downtown Franklin. The 12th season of the open‐mic songwriting contest sold out consecutively during the entire nine‐week competition. Counts’ songs “NorthernLights” as well as “Ashes and Aftershave”, “50 Years of Life”, and “Fairy Tale” won over attendees, as well as guest judges Darwin Moody, President ofEmbassy Music and Julie Branham, Director of the Nashville Soul Choir. Over 100 competitors took part in the contest.
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“I always thought my songs “50 Years of Life” and “Fairytale” would win it for me, but nearly everyone at the end of the contest said “Northern Lights” was the reason I won. I wrote it just 2 days before the competition!” he explained. “I wrote the song for mygirlfriend which touches on the differences between a northern girl and southern guy and howtheir relationship is sometimes affected. She is from New York City and I’m from good ol’
Franklin.”

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In addition to Counts, three other local writers took the stage to compete for the Rising Star
title including Jason Graham, Paul Aldrich, and John King. Rising Star Co‐Founder and
Puckett’s owner Andy Marshall, says he is proud to host the Rising Star events. “It is amazingto see how much talent is in this town. Puckett’s is happy to have a part in showcasing it.”

In addition to a cash prize of $500, Counts won a one‐year membership to the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He will also be playing a winner’s showcase on
October 27that Puckett’s in Franklin with two famous local songwriters who are yet to be announced.

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Rising Star 13 kicks off Tuesday, September 27th and is sponsored by Puckett’s, Heineken, Shuff’s Music and Nason Music Group. For more information on Rising Star, visit www.puckettsgrocery.com/risingstar.

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