Songwriter from Rugby wins national competition

Gracie Falls entered the UK Unsigned Songwriter of the Year 2016 and made it through to the final four contestants who battled it out last weekend.

Miss Falls and the other finalists, who were Emma Hughes, Alexandra Jayne and Emma Ballantine, were all selected from 12 live heats, which were held around the country.

On Sunday, October 30, they battled for the accolade of best UK Unsigned Songwriter of the Year 2016 at The Piano Works in London, where she was crowned the winner.

She said: “I am still a bit dazed about winning. I do not normally like competitions as I get nervous but I did this one as what they were offering with the Caffè Nero tours and the songwriting was not just about throwing money at you but giving you great and structured help.”

Miss Falls had a passion for writing poetry when she was young and then went on to putting her poetry to 
music.

The songwriter lived in Rugby until she was 19, when she moved to Yorkshire.

She said: “I have entered a few songwriting competitions before but this one is by far the most inspiring.

“Everybody has been so kind and supportive to each other and it has been amazing.

“It is very shocking and very exciting to have won. I am looking forward to the next year where I will work with so many amazing songwriters. It is going to be the best thing that ever happened to me.”

As the winner, she received more than £6,000 worth of prizes, including a 12-month mentoring programme with The Songwriting Academy, £1,000 worth of Yamaha musical instruments and the opportunity to have a song recorded in Nashville.

The budding songwriter will also tour Caffè Nero outlets and have her playlist aired at the coffee house, culminating in a live performance on the Caffè Nero stage at next year’s Cornbury Festival.