Let’s Rodeo!

The submissions are in, the deadline has passed, and the first-ever Rhythm Ranch Recording Summer Youth Artist Showdown is officially underway!

The Ranch is thrilled to announce that 28 young musicians, representing 16 entries — 5 bands and 11 solo artists ranging in age from 10 to 20 — have thrown their cowgirl and cowboy hats into the ring.

At a time when “music” can be artificially generated by a computer with a click, these young artists chose something harder, braver, and far more human: writing, performing, and sharing original music filled with heart, soul, and messages they want the world to hear.

And here is the exciting part: the submissions are strong. Really strong. The all-star panel of judges now has the difficult task of listening, scoring, debating, and ultimately choosing the standout artist or band. Picking a winner is not going to be easy.

As a reminder, this incredible lineup of music industry volunteers has stepped up to take on the challenge — and enjoy the ride of hearing what these talented young creators have brought to the competition.

• Ross Petersen – Grammy-nominated mixer, producer, engineer

• Duncan Ferguson – Voltage Exchange Mastering, Nashville

• Jeremy Dudman – Chair, Audio Engineering Society, ATL; Music Technology and Audio Production Professor, Alpharetta High School (Fall, 2026)

• Scott Hitch – Board Chair, Roswell Arts Fund

• Krista McCoy – Atlanta Vocal Coach, McCoy Performing Arts

• Lucas Freeman – Session Musician and Owner, vLink Solutions

• Mark Allen Wolfe – Georgia Film/TV Original Music Composer

• Mark Grundhoefer – Professional guitar instructor and Session Musician

• Brian Henry – Owner, Rhythm Ranch Recording and Session Musician

Judges will evaluate the entries based on songwriting, originality, performance, artistic identity, and overall potential — all the elements that help reveal not just a great song, but a promising young artist or band with something real to say and a bright music future ahead.

Now the big question is: who will rise to the top and take home the Grand Prize?

·       a professionally recorded and engineered track at Rhythm Ranch Recording

·       the song mastered in Nashville by Duncan Ferguson at The Voltage Exchange

·       the recording journey documented on video by Lucas Freeman and vLink Solutions of Atlanta

·       the chance to perform a song or full set live at Housewolf Records in Woodstock

The submissions are in. The judges are listening.

One young artist or band is about to earn a professional recording experience — and the journey starts now. Stay tuned!

Rhythm Ranch Recording – Where Real Music Rides©