• KAP54
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  • From: London Ontario Canada
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,746

Topic: Songwriting contests

While watching the Open golf and reading up on the Korg PX5D, playing my guitar, thinking of other tunes and if I will be able to record them properly I got to thinking about contests.My whole life I have been told that I am a decent writer and should try and do
something but self confidencehas been my downfall.
After posting my songs on Chordie and getting positive responses I feel that I would like to explore this option as my self confidence has been given a huge lift from this site.
Thank You one and all. smile
My questions are: 1) Can contests be profitable as cash always has and always will be a problem.
                          2) What are some reputable contests.(I see that Russel has entered in the Myspace contests)
                          3) What are the pros and cons (if any) of entering them.
                          4) If a song has been entered in one contest,can it be entered in another contest
or could there be hidden small print claiming ownership.

This is just food for thought for me as it gives me one more thing to get excited about which is helping my confidence.

Thanks Again
KAP54 aka Kenny

P.S.  10:30 am Norman down by 1 stroke to Harrington and I'm canceling my ticket to Vegas. lol

Just Keepin on Keepin on
Martin DC15E
Cort MR710F
Squire Strat (Chinese)
  • From: Starkville, Mississippi USA
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,069

Re: Songwriting contests

Hi Kenny
Any song writing contest where they require an entry fee is probably a scam that will benefit only the organizers.  Likewise any "producer" who wants to "help you put together an album" (for a big up-front fee, of course) is just a fast buck artist.  Avoid these come-ons.

I did recently participate in a song writing contest on MySpace.  The 'Henry Poole is Here' movie contest seemed like a good exercise for me.  The organizers wanted no money and merely asked that the songs submitted be about certain themes.

For me, it was simply a creative challenge to write a song using their themes.  I like the song I came up with - however, it did not get selected as one of the finalists.  I did meet some other song writers on MySpace in the process - so I'm glad I chose to participate.

If you choose to participate in a contest, read ALL the fine print in the rules.  Ask questions about stuff that is not clear.  Don't give anybody your money along with your song.

Here's a song about Golf I wrote while back:
http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=5899

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

James McCormick's Website

  • KAP54
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  • From: London Ontario Canada
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
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Re: Songwriting contests

Thanks for your input James smile
I've done some searching on the net about this and I didn't find anything about cons but I'm sure there out there.I'm presently joining Myspace as an artist and will be on the lookout for contests like the one you entered.It could be fun trying to write to somebody else's theme but first I gotta get the recording thing down.
Thanks Again.

As for "Talkin about Golf".Very punny song with lots of truths about the game.It is a great game as I try to get out as often as possible...at least once a year.It's good for the senses to see all the green and hear all the swearing from somewhere in the distance. Gotta have good nerves to play the game ,thats why I stink at it. LOL
Any chance of you reposting your song at Myspace so us newbies can hear it?
Any chance of you bringing up the original post as there are some pretty funny stories that a lot of us newbies would like to read?

Thanks
Kenny smile

Just Keepin on Keepin on
Martin DC15E
Cort MR710F
Squire Strat (Chinese)
  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Songwriting contests

Kap the contest I am entered in are not myspace contests I have 4 songs entered on OurStage and the top prize is $5000.00 and there is no entry fee and its all legit above board contest as the fans decide the outcome I have a profile page with videos and music and a lot of myspace members also have profile pages on ourstage including Arkady it has a judges chambers where you can chat in real time its a lot of fun really smile

KAP54 wrote:

While watching the Open golf and reading up on the Korg PX5D, playing my guitar, thinking of other tunes and if I will be able to record them properly I got to thinking about contests.My whole life I have been told that I am a decent writer and should try and do
something but self confidencehas been my downfall.
After posting my songs on Chordie and getting positive responses I feel that I would like to explore this option as my self confidence has been given a huge lift from this site.
Thank You one and all. smile
My questions are: 1) Can contests be profitable as cash always has and always will be a problem.
                          2) What are some reputable contests.(I see that Russel has entered in the Myspace contests)
                          3) What are the pros and cons (if any) of entering them.
                          4) If a song has been entered in one contest,can it be entered in another contest
or could there be hidden small print claiming ownership.

This is just food for thought for me as it gives me one more thing to get excited about which is helping my confidence.

Thanks Again
KAP54 aka Kenny

P.S.  10:30 am Norman down by 1 stroke to Harrington and I'm canceling my ticket to Vegas. lol

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • KAP54
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  • From: London Ontario Canada
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,746

Re: Songwriting contests

Thanks Russell smile I will check out OurStage.Sounds like a fun place.I'm guessing it is similar to MySpace.

Thanks Again
Kenny

Just Keepin on Keepin on
Martin DC15E
Cort MR710F
Squire Strat (Chinese)
  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Songwriting contests

Similar but a lot more going on for the songwriters and musicians and making connections with people who can help your career advance

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: Independence, Mo
  • Registered: 2007-09-23
  • Posts: 233

Re: Songwriting contests

Check out the John Lennon song writing contest.
                                                               getfiddle

A musician is someone with too much time on their hands! Thank god I'm a musician!!!

getfiddle's Website

  • dino48
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  • From: los banos,california
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
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Re: Songwriting contests

Hi kap,I dont know anything about songwriting contests,but I played your song you posted here a few days ago too some of my friends,I have a friend that sang it.[I dont have a good voice]. They asked me where they could pick up a copy of your cd they liked it so much. I played it in the dylan way and did it later like springsteen. They liked the dylan version a little better. KEEP AT IT. you got something there.          dino

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman
  • KAP54
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  • From: London Ontario Canada
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,746

Re: Songwriting contests

Thanks getfiddle. :)I saw this site in my searching and was curious about it as it has a section for songwriters which is what I would like to foray into.I will be posting on MySpace and Ourstage but they look like they are set up for performing artists and my knees are shaking just thinking about it....Keep me in the background  lol
Hey dino48. As long as everyone enjoyed it, it doesn't matter how it is played.Thanks for your kind comments.That'll help me to keep focused. smile

Kenny

Just Keepin on Keepin on
Martin DC15E
Cort MR710F
Squire Strat (Chinese)
  • Registered: 2008-06-20
  • Posts: 139

Re: Songwriting contests

Hi James, I just left a message on the thread about song-writing contests, and the Book you recomended, when I stumbled upon this thread, I downloaded your song.  Now I don't think I am in a position to say anything critical about it.  However, my own view, and this is not Brown Nosing, I think with the right Singer and and a good team pushing, this could be a good song,
after all, listen to some of the tripe that out there.  Anyway which ever way it should go,
Good Luck.

Luck to all. !!!