Contestants poured their hearts out through their music Friday evening during the Lake Havasu 2016 Songwriters Festival at The Refuge. The competetion was held to raise money for the K-12 Foundation.

Ricardo Duarte took home seven awards during the night including Song of the Year and Melanie and Virgil Venditto took home first place Songwriter of the year. Seventeen contestants participated in the event and it was emceed by Dustin Runyon and Billy Latta.

People’s Choice Award: Cameron Marin

Songwriter of the year:
1st Place: Melanie and Virgil Venditto
2nd place: Cameron Marin
3rd place: Ricardo Duarte

Video highlights of the event and full photo gallery soon to come on riverscenemagazine.com

2015 winner Billy Latta speaks with contestant Tom Aamot during the 2016 Songwriters Festival. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Melanie and Virgil Venditto perform “Listen to Your Heart” at the 2016 Songwriters Festival. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Cameron Marin performs “What Keeps the World Turning” during the 2016 Songwriters Festival. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Ricardo Duarte performs “Riot” at the 2016 Songwriters Festival. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Geo Garay performs “Lake Havasu City Blues” at the 2016 Songwriters Festival. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene