I decided a number of years ago not to participate in music contests - no Battle of the Bands, online songwriting contests, or anything like that. Why not? I’ve done it before. I made the finals of a Blues Showdown while I was in Phoenix, and that was before they had separate contests for solo/acoustic acts.
I decided it was pretty much a waste of money, especially where online contests are concerned. I have no illusions about the appeal of my material. If I have an audience, it’s a niche of a niche of a particular style. I ain’t everyone’s cup of tea, and I’ve largely made my peace with that. I like most of my material, and that’s important.
However, I became aware of a local contest recently, and I plan to enter. Here’s a link:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2306780636315687&id=2287165154943902
It’s The Green County (where I live) Fair Singer/Songwriter Showcase. I don’t see anything saying it’s limited to residents of Green County, but one has to think the number of submissions will be smaller than any kind national contest. It costs $5 to submit a song, and as I write this, I don’t know if contestants can submit more than one, but odds are I will if I can. I have a wealth of material.
Still, my first choice is a new tune called “For A Little While” which will appear on the next album. I think it might be the best thing I’ve ever written. I recorded a video of a very rough draft on my phone and shared it with one of my best friends, Andrew Wilson. He really liked it, and played for his wife - Christine - without telling her who it was. She apparently went through a number of guesses before saying that whoever it was should go on The Voice and get famous.
I’ve discussed that within my journal a bit.
When I visited them in January, she pressed me hard to do it. I still say that show ain’t for people like me, but who knows? Maybe I’ll change my mind again.
I planned on recording two versions of “For A Little While” - solo acoustic and full band - though I don’t know which I’ll submit to this contest. I suppose I’ll listen to both and choose, and I expect I’ll solicit my wife’s opinion. Stay tuned for more info.
I may be fished with the writing phase of my next collection of songs. I’ll know more this time next week.
That’s it for now. Be good.