The Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest encourages the growth of the art of independent performing songwriters in the genres of Americana, Blues, Celtic, Country, Folk, Rock, Pop, Rap, Jazz, Bluegrass, etc. For over 20 years the contest has created an experience for finalists that provides networking opportunities amongst some of the top songwriters in the nation, live performances at the festival over the course of the weekend, and the chance to be a part of an historical experience. Previous contest finalists include Katrina Cain, Ruthie Foster, Beth Wood, Karen Mal, Grace Pettis, Dave Carter, Louise Mosrie, BettySoo, Matt Harlan, Nicolette Good, RJ Cowdery, Drew Kennedy, Matthew Thomas and Tom Faulkner. Judging is based on originality, lyrics, melody, harmonic structure, and other song-craft elements.
How to Enter
Complete the online application through Broadjam (please read contest rules before applying)
$30 entry fee
Two songs are required per entry fee
The deadline to apply is March 9.
Prize Package(s) Include
First Place/Grand Prize – $1,000
Second Place Runner Up – $500
People’s Choice Award – $500
One-year premium membership to Broadjam (valued at $200) to each of the top 3 finalists
Top Ten Finalists Receive
Invitation to perform in the live finals on the Singer Songwriter Stage at Wildflower! on May 17, 2025.
Finalists must perform the two (2) songs submitted in the contest and the performance may only include one instrument, one voice (the songwriter’s vocal), and no backup harmonies.
Lodging for May 16 and 17 and green room hospitality.
Wildflower! festival passes for you and a guest.
Additional set at Wildflower! festival on the Courtyard Stage.
If selected as a winner, a chance to play a set in the round on May 18 on the Singer Songwriter Stage.
Opportunity of a lifetime to spend a weekend, sharing songs with some of the best performing songwriters in the nation and if selected as a winner, participation in the Winner’s Showcase with the other selected winners.
https://wildflowerfestival.com/songwriter-contest/
How to Enter
Complete the online application through Broadjam (please read contest rules before applying)
$30 entry fee
Two songs are required per entry fee
Deadline to apply is March 9, 2025.
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SONGWRITING with Jason Blume: How many songwriters does it take to change a light bulb?
NONE! I like it the way it is – and I’m NOT changing it!
If that had been my attitude, I would probably be working a day job–instead of writing this from my lanai, while watching whales frolic in the ocean.
“I Had a Heart,” the song that led to everything in my career had seven versions–and seven demos.
“Back to Your Heart” (written with Gary Baker & Kevin Richardson) would never have been included on the Backstreet Boys’ “Millennium” album if I had not done a drastic melodic and lyric rewrite. It was named Billboard’s Album of the Year.
At the request of Britney’s record label, I wrote six alternate final verses of “Dear Diary” (written with Britney & Eugene Wilde). When Britney had her own idea for how the story might end, Eugene and I became her first co-writers, and recorded her vocal on our demo.
Our song would not have appeared on Britney Spears’ mega-hit album, “Oops, I Did it Again” if we had not rewritten it.
A complete overhaul of the chorus of “Come Back” (written with Chris Sernel) led to it being the debut single by Crossing Rain, winner of the “Favorite Band” Na Hoku Hanohano award (the Hawaiian equivalent of a Grammy).
I could go on and on about the instances when rewriting a song resulted in its getting recorded.
I am not a successful songwriter.
I am a successful song re-writer.
Jason Blume
(Our thanks to Larry Thompson for passing this info along! https://www.brotherhoodofthehook.com)
Photo: Jason Blume book
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Roberta Flack exposed Killing Me Softly With His Song to the world – songwriter
By Hannah Roberts, Evening Standard
US singer Roberta Flack used “her artistry, her talent, her innovation and her heart” to expose the song Killing Me Softly With His Song to the world, the writer of the track has said.
The soul star, who worked with musicians including Miles Davis and Donny Hathaway, died at the age of 88 on Monday, surrounded by her family.
Her version of the song, released in 1973, earned her two Grammys and went to number one in the charts in America.
US songwriter Lori Lieberman, who co-wrote the lyrics with Norman Gimbel, told the PA news agency that Flack “changed, not just me, but the whole world with with her music”.
The song was included on Lieberman’s first album with Capitol Records, inspired by a poem she had written about seeing Don McLean at a concert, and a song of his called Empty Chairs.
“My version was climbing up the charts, slowly, but climbing up the charts when Roberta Flack was traveling, I believe it was from New York to LA, and on the airplane, in the inflight system, she heard my song,” she said.
“By the time she had landed she had listened to Killing Me Softly about four times and scribbled down all the lyrics and all of the chord changes, and she felt that she could do something with that song. It really resonated with her.
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Read more here:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/roberta-flack-exposed-killing-me-softly-with-his-song-to-the-world-songwriter/
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