PASA SHOWCASE CONCERT

Showcase performances by PASA members.

The featured artists for this showcase are:

	Tom Cooney Tom Cooney is a dynamic singer-songwriter, guitarist, and music instructor from Greater Philadelphia. He performs original and cover music in Contemporary Folk, Blues, and Jazz styles. Tom is a versatile musician with strong vocal and guitar skills. His original songs range from the romantic to the political to the philosophical. Tom has performed at songwriter showcases, including at the famed club Godfrey Daniels, and the Martin Guitar Songwriters’ Showcase ArtsFest. He also performs in duo and trio groups, including the Acoustic Blues Project, a trio that has opened the Lehigh River Blues Jam and Jamaggedon festivals, respectively. He loves to share his music with audiences large and small, and always connects in a direct and warm style. Tom also teaches guitar, music theory, and composition, privately and at music camps. Website: www.tomcooneymusic.com
	Marion Halliday Marion Halliday, a native Kentuckian now living in Philadelphia, turned to songwriting in earnest in 2016, writing urban influenced modern folk music that reflects her bluegrass and bourbon-infused roots. Marion’s first solo full-length album, released July 2019, "Rings Around Saturn", debuted at #3 on US/International folk radio charts. The album also made the FAI listing of Top Albums for 2019. The title track was described by one critic as "beautifully sung -- a delicate and thoughtful piece that showcases a tremendous characterful vocal talent" (Chris Porter, Stereo Stickman, July, 2019). Another, writing specifically about "Thoughts and Prayers" (Track #2), described it as "miraculous, her voice is a new beacon of peace in this troublesome time." (Joe Timmons, Indie Pulse July 2019). In November, 2019, Marion was a featured performer in the prestigious "Semi-Formal Showcase" at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) annual conference held in Stamford CT (a division of Folk Alliance International). In January, 2018, and again in July, 2020, Marion was named "One of the Ones to Watch" by the Nashville Songwriters' Association International. Also in 2018, Marion was runner-up for Best of Philly Live Performer (Folk/Country Category); she was also a featured "DJ Showcase" performer at the NERFA 2018 annual conference as the selection of Ron Olesko, WFDU "Traditions" DJ. Website: marionhalliday.com
	David Kleiner David Kleiner is an award winning performer and songwriter. His "Stand Up for Freedom" (co-written with Mick Choder) won the Philadelphia Songwriters' Project's Vote Festival award for best song. In 2009, David garnered the top prize in the Emerging Performer competition at West Virginia's clothing-optional Avalon Folk Festival. He will always remember the standing ovation he received there for his song "That's Why I Fight." David has opened for Randall Williams, Hot Soup, We're About Nine, and Dave Matthews and headlined many Philadelphia area venues including the Mermaid Inn, the Barrington Coffeehouse, and World Cafe Live Upstairs . You may also have heard him performing live on WXPNs Helen Leicht and Gene Shay Shows. The magazine Xroads gave five stars to David's latest studio release, The News That's Fit to Sing, calling it one of the best CDs of the last five years. Reviewing This Human Heart, David's 2006 release, Sing Out -- the venerable magazine of folk music -- raved, "It's all about intensity and passion." Website: bit.ly/65hummingbird
	Chris Macy Chris Macy can't remember far back enough to think of when he wasn't in front of a piano. Other than fishing and baseball, he only ever wanted to mash keys. Once when he was a kid, he told his mom he'd be a Doctor if she got him a motorcycle, but that didn't work out. He always got bored easily, so he ran off with the Navy, then went to college -- and kept going back to college; so his head is full of stuff he's still trying to sort out (and he's sure his student loans will be paid off by 2085). He even got a family along the way. They are his salvation, and his muse. He loves every color, sitting on the ground, his dog, and yelling at TV news pundits. And, he secretly loves it when girls call him Christopher Robin. Website: www.hookahmen.com
	Joey McGowan Originally from North Jersey, Joey was part of the Folk Revival in Greenwich Village in the Mid-Seventies. He befriended Legendary Folk Singer Phil Ochs and often did the sound at signature clubs at the time like "Folk City" and "The Speakeasy". Now living in South Jersey, Joey hosts an Open Mic Night each Saturday at Malelani's Cafe in Ventnor and performs often in the Philadelphia Area.
	Mike Vargas Mike Vargas was born and raised in South Philadelphia, the youngest son of the first Puerto Rican Mummer. As a small child he idolized his older brother Eddie and wanted to be like him, who played harmonica and percussion, so at the age of six he hounded his mother until she got me him harmonica; he has played that instrument since. Later he taught himself guitar, flute, recorder, pan pipe, and other things. His music is a mixture of the different musical styles that he was raised with: Rock, Blues,and some R and B with a little string band thrown in for flavor.

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