The third annual Gems in the Rough contest was our best showing of talent yet. Over 800 participants sent in their original songs, so many good entries that we had to pick a top 11 instead of 10 for the first time. One of those top submissions was this unknown band out of Nevada City, California, called Two Runner. They took the show by storm, winning most votes in both rounds of voting. I think it is fairly obvious why; they rock. Paige, the songwriter and guitarist, has been playing in touring bands since she was 9, with her family band. Emilie, on the fiddle, grew up going to fiddle camp and playing Scottish traditional songs. Together they have a huge amount of experience, and put that knowledge into action with this new band.
After winning the contest, they headed to Nashville and we had a whirlwind night on the town, heading to Honky Tonk Tuesday, the Underdog (shout out Kristina Murray playing!), Dinos and Dukes. I saw them off at the airport, where we had some great conversations about music and the world, so enjoyable I almost missed my flight. They really are great company.
So I hope y'all enjoy this recording at our Gems HQ offices in June. Their WesternAF debut will follow shortly, and I have no doubt they are in for a bright future on the road and in the studio. BIG thanks to Goldtone instruments for providing the prizes for the contest; Two Runner took home a new banjo. Rusty Creek Forge for providing custom forged prize knife as well. Another thank you to Tim Duggan, for running the contest for us.
Their new single, “Highwayman”, is out now on all streaming platforms at linktr.ee/tworunner. Catch them on tour this summer! Check out their tour dates at www.tworunnermusic.com/tour.
Our undying love and gratitude go to our executive producers for making this project possible: Brad Sirois, Mitchell Davis, Keith McQuillan, David Jameson, Lisa Galvan, Irvin Maddox, Josh Collins, Brady Jones, Julie Nestoroff, VJ Arizpe.
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GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
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