Windsor country singer Max Vogel upbeat after national contest, call it an ‘amazing experience’

Windsor country singer and songwriter Max Vogel, a former firefighter and emergency medical technician, made it to the finals in the ARIUM 2024 Sounds of Summer contest earlier this month in Atlanta.

But the prize, a year’s free rent from ARIUM, a national apartment rental brand, went to Hannah Nicolaisen of Nashville. Vogel, though, said he is still glad for the experience.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t win, and they didn’t announce a second place, but it was an amazing experience,” he said.

“I made contacts in the music business from Nashville, Houston and Atlanta who know a lot more than me,” he added. “I feel like I learned more and I want to step up my music game and be around those great musicians.”

The winner was chosen by nationwide online balloting, which occurred earlier in the summer.

Prior to making his way into the final round, Vogel ensured his place among the contest’s top 10 — which was narrowed down from 60 entries — with a song called “Hey Dolly!” His next entry in the voting to narrow the field to four finalists was a country lament titled, “Drowning with You.”

Vogel continues to perform locally.

He and his band, The Pickups, will play from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Barley & Bine Beer Cafe in Windsor. Admission is free.

You can reach Staff Writer Dan Taylor at dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com or 707-521-5243. On X @danarts.