Mark Croft, Shawndell Marks, Beaumont James

press release: The Wisconsin Opry will host its first ever Songwriter Showcase on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 8pm. The event will be styled after the Nashville Singer in the Rounds, and will feature 3 accomplished singer/songwriters from Wisconsin.  Each will share stories and insights into their creative process and inspirations.

Mark Croft of Madison is one of the most distinguished musicians to ignite the acoustic music scene. Always unafraid to break the genre barriers, Croft takes inspiration from a variety of musical styles and blends them into his own pop/roots approach to songwriting. A seasoned performer, Croft has been serving up exciting and emotional performances to unsuspecting audiences throughout the nation. www.markcroftmusic.com

Shawndell Marks of Reedsburg is thrilled to return to the Wisconsin Opry stage where her music career officially began in 1993 when she crooned Patsy Cline’s Crazy every night of the summer at the age of 15. Since, she has studied music at the University of Wisconsin, sung backup for a Vegas Elvis impersonator, opened for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and George Jones, released two original albums, and performed in Tear Down the Wall, a live performance of Pink Floyd’s The Wall album presented by Artists Alive Inc, a non-profit that helps promote art and music in the lives of youth.  Her latest musical group, Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets has been nominated for two 2015 Madison Area Music Awards: Best New Artist and Best Vocal Ensemble. www.shawnigirl.com

Beaumont James is a Milwaukee based singer/songwriter hanging his hat on home-woven tales of broken things, bars, and bare-souled circumstances.  His strong country voice and acoustic guitar skills help him to tell relatable tales through song.  His latest album, Just What I Deserve, was recorded at Duvateen Studios in San Franciso, Calif., and was released in May, 2015. www.beaumontjames.com

The Dells Barn is an 80 acre picturesque farm with 3 different venues: the Wisconsin Opry theater, the Dells Barn and Cindy’s Café.  It is located at S2269 Timothy Lane, Baraboo, WI 53913. We are your one stop for event spaces, music festivals, weddings, concerts, and dinner shows.  For more information on the event, contact Stephanie Graham at 608-254-7951, and view our websites at www.dellsbarn.com and www.wisconsinopry.com .  Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 day of.