Winner: "Best Performer", Minnesota Folk Festival Songwriter Contest (2005), Hastings, MN

2nd Place: Hank Williams Songwriter Contest (2005), Flat Rock, NC

Finalist: Wildflower Music Festival Songwriter Contest (2005), Richardson , TX

"Earful: "Blue Man" demonstrates Underwood's dual penchant for both pen and guitar. . . Everything down to the production is all Underwood, and his voice sometimes carries the hushed urgency of Lyle Lovett."

                                                    -Hunter Pope (Mountain Xpress 05/18/2005, vol. 11, no. 41)

"Sound off: After 20 years performing with other musicians in Chicago, Denver and Seattle, now-local singer/songwriter Joel Underwood has released his debut album, Tacoma Narrows. Learn more at www.joelunderwood.net."

                                                    -Steve Shanafelt (Mountain Xpress 07/21/04, vol. 10, issue 50)

"Best of WNC (Western North Carolina)" Issue: Best Local Musician: Joel Underwood (# 3)

                                                     -Mountain Xpress 10/06/04, vol. 10, issue 60

"Very stripped down. Pure and passionate. Beautiful voice."

                                                        -Shannon Kringen (SynKringnicity, 1/07/05)

"An album of well executed acoustic rock songs performed by . . . Joel Underwood, all of which would work well . . . for sitting and listening to on a contemplative afternoon.

                                                    -Hank and the Hankstirs; It Doesn’t Matter (Zac Johnson; All Music Guide www.artistdirect.com)