Songwriter Showndown 2

Wednesday, February 25, 2026: Songwriter Showdown 2

Songwriter Showdown 2

Songwriter Showdown 2 was so much fun. All three songwriters were great performers and Drew Lance brought the beat and the sweet harmony. Here is a super brief recap so you feel jealous of everyone that was able to go if you missed it and you can remember how amazing it was if you were there.

Backed by Drew Lance, three brave Missouri songwriters competed and collaborated to create an exciting night of musical magic.

The showdown is a contest style concert with songwriters competing in 4 themed rounds. In each round, the songwriters perform one of their original songs that fits the theme. Then, the audience votes to determine which song wins the round.

Kevin Desrosiers conducted the show again and keep it on the rails. Cara Ristau and Jack Ryan, two local songwriters, provided colorful, insightful and, at times, hilarious commmentary. Last time, I forgot to take many pictures. So this time, my friend Pedro Serrano took pictures during the show, and he got some really great ones.

The 3 songwriters:

Alex Huck (https://www.facebook.com/alexhuckmusic/)
Daniel Elixir (https://elixirfarm.com/daniel/)
Ali Briley: (https://www.facebook.com/alibrileymusic/ https://www.facebook.com/ofmonarchs/)

Show summary:

First half:

Theme 1: The Ties that bind: Daniel Elixir won this round. The prize was rachet straps.

Theme 2: Hmm, that really makes you think. . . Alex Huck won this round, The prize was shakers.

First half bonus song: Daniel Elxir was selected by the youth group that was attending to perform a bonus song:

Second half:

Theme 3: Protest. Ali Briley won this round. The prize was a wooden spoon percussion instrument.

Theme 4: It's time to celebrate. Daniel Elixir won this round. The prize was a handbell set.

The songwriters that participated (Drew, Daniel, Ali, Alex, Cara and Jack) then had a "showdown vote" to select the final performer of the evening. Drew Lance won and

Daniel Elixir

Daniel won the youth vote for the first half and so he got to play the bonus song - and did a song about a squirrel barely escaping a forest fire. I guess it was a metaphor for something - but it was also just fun and catchy with a chorus that was easy to sing along to. I understand why the youth wanted one more song from Daniel. His songs were funny and sweet and he seemed to have a hard time not laughing himself during his performances.

Ali Briley

Ali's songs were sweet and tender and she won the "protest" round with a song that felt more like an anti-protest song about caring for her family and others around her. I enjoyed watching how emotive her face was during the the other two musicians songs, she seemed to enjoy hearing them as much as the audience was. And, it was very entertaining to hear her making up some verbal scatt during one of Daniels songs.

Alex Huck

I had a handbell set available to the musicians and had challenged them to incorporate them into one of their songs. To me, the highlight of the show was the "gas station rose" song by Alex Huck where he handed handbells to three teenagers from the audience and instructed them to play them whenever they felt like it during the song. It was not a whimsical song and somehow the youth trying to find the right times to play their bells was magical instead of awful.

Cara Ristau and Jack Ryan

(Commentators)

Jack Ryan and Cara Ristau (a previous Songwriter Showdown participant) had insightful comments about the songs. Cara's words were warm and wise. She had some wonderful thougths from the perspective of a fellow songwriter. Cara also helped with the performance by playing keyboard on a few songs for the songwriters.

I really loved Jack's humor and enthusiasm. He occasionally heckled the audience and kept the energy up. Jack will be one of the contestants at the next songwriter showdown. He has originals songs that have an old blues feeling although is only 25 years old.

Cara Ristau recorded the show and will edit the recording then put it on YouTube. I'll share links.