New Song Showcase new feature at 8th annual Hope Mountain Barter Faire, set for Sept. 17-19
From our weekly issue dated August 11, 2010
“Southern Oregon activities tend to favor gatherings, festivals and campfires, not bars,“ says Patrick Dodd, organizer of the New Song Showcase/Contest for the eighth annual Hope Mountain Barter Faire.
It“s set for Sept. 17 through 19.
“Help us put Southern Oregon on the songwriters“ map, and get your song heard for $20,“ urged Dodd.
Most songwriters“ contests, you send in $35 and your CD, and you never hear from them again. With “New Song Showcase“, all entering songwriters will have a chance to perform their new song on all three days, with semi-finalists chosen from each day.
The three finalists will perform on the main stage Sunday, and the winner will play main stage at the Faire next year. Songs of all finalists will be aired on Hope Mountain Radio from the main stage, and contestants will perform at the new solar-powered Ballad Tree, with energy provided by Megawatt NRG Renewable Energy Systems.
“Besides the great prizes — a Breedlove guitar, cash and 10 hours recording time, “New Song“ will be an immense amount of fun,“ stated Dodd. “Any songwriter will go to others“ shows for inspiration, to learn different chords. When the field is dry, go to your well — welcome to the water, boys.“
Dodd has 11 years experience with open-mics, and he realizes that the most important factor is to let everyone feel good, so that everyone wins. The ambience is always the living room, no matter how large the crowd.
In his early 30s Dodd helped organize the South by Southwest Songwriters weekend in Austin, Texas. He“s looking forward to this addition to the Hope Mountain Barter Faire to be held at 3833 Holland Loop in rural Cave Junction.
Dodd noted, “There is quite simply nothing like a song circle around a campfire, everyone is a hero, reflecting on the general spirit and sharing attitude. When we all get together, we all win as we network and learn more about songwriting.
“We have an amazing amount of talent in Southern Oregon, we just don“t realize it because we all live rural, separated. When we get together, all our creative juices get flowing.“
Dodd describes the jolt felt by a musician as the chords, the tune, and the words flow together like magic, and the listener shakes his head, thinking, “Yeah, I“ve been there.“
“The New Songwriter“s Showcase is a chance to get your name out,“ explained Dodd. “We will list all entries with links to the songwriters“ Websites or Facebook pages on our New Song Page.
“All potential songwriters need to do is fill out an entry form with name, address, phone, email, Website, title of song, along with a copy of their new song on a CD (if available) and the entry fee. Those without a recording of their new song can still show up with their entry fee.“
Checks or money orders can be made out to Hope Mountain Barter Faire and mailed to New Song Showcase/Contest, c/o Patrick Dodd, 12108 Redwood Hwy. Wilderville OR 97543; or phone 541-956-1513. Deadline for mail entry is Sept. 1.
Dodd plans on offering different contests, and giving recognition to all so everyone feels good. The community can help sponsor this event and help educate the next generation by donating a prize and creating a category for the New Songwriter“s contest. Dodd suggests that perhaps a tavern might wish to donate a free dinner for the Best Female Retaliation Song, like the Dixie Chicks“ “Goodbye Earl.“
A service station could donate a gas card for a Farthest Distance Award, with contestants traveling from Los Angeles, Seattle, Austin and North Carolina for the festival. The Best Romantic Song might win a basket of bread, cheese and wine, or the biggest knuckle-buster prize could be free string and a pic.
Other categories could include most outrageous, silliest, and a Best Kiddies Song, so children could join the contest too.
Anyone interested in donating prizes and creating a category can email smallrevolution@earthlink.net.
“New Song“ will have an eclectic pool of judges, 11 so far, including S.W. Oregon favorite Frankie Hernandez, so that all genres will have a fair chance. By keeping quality at forefront, money second, the Hope Mountain Barter Faire“s New Song Showcase will be a great contest with well-crafted music and fun for all.
Albums, eight-tracks, cassettes, CDs, nothing replaces playing a song with eye-to-eye contact and the human connection.
Said Dodd, “Come to the Barter Faire New Song Showcase and see for yourself that Southern Oregon songwriters are like the first prize: The Breedlove guitar is not well-known, but reviewers say it performs better than Martin and Santa Cruz.“
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