Singer-songwriter Easton Gowan is the winner of Anderson Sings, Anderson County’s first-ever virtual singing competition that raised more than $30,000 for the United Way of Anderson County.
Gowan, a native of Williamston, was presented with a $1,000 check from The Peoples Bank, one of the competition’s primary sponsors, during the United Way’s Thankful Thursday celebration on Nov. 12 at Anderson Mall. He also secured the chance to record a track at the legendary Capricorn Studios in Macon, GA, and will perform at Celebrate Anderson 2021 and on WSPA’s Your Carolina show.
Anderson Sings drew 32 singers and musicians to a single elimination, bracketed competition. Contestants won rounds by securing the most online votes, with each vote raising $1 for United Way.
“We had a number of people that shared their talent with us over the months that we were doing this,” said Carol Burdette, executive director of United Way of Anderson County. “This was such a great thing for us, especially during COVID when performers can’t be out singing in public. We’re thankful for the adventure and we plan to do it again next year.”
Gowan, who has played music since he was eight years old but only became comfortable performing in public about five years ago, said he looks forward to the chance to record and to perform for a large audience.
“Getting to record is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and opening for Celebrate Anderson is going to be great – performing on such a big stage in front of people that have been supporting me for the past four or five years,” said Gowan, an Anderson University student majoring in worship leadership.
Aside from winning Anderson County’s first-ever virtual singing competition, Gowan said he’s grateful for the opportunity to learn more about United Way and what it does in the community.
“I’m going to be honest. I didn’t know much about the United Way when I first started this, but it’s really cool to see everything that goes on in your community more than music,” Gowan said. “It’s really cool to see, even at a time like this, everybody still comes together to do something good.”
