Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest 2012

Celebrating its 16th year as part of the Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival, the Performing Songwriter Contest for emerging artists will once again offer four grand prizes of $500 cash to the top songwriters. Ten finalists will be chosen to compete for these prizes on stage in the critically acclaimed Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson, Texas (just outside of Dallas) during the award winning Wildflower! Festival. Enter up to three times before the deadline of March 9, 2012. (See comments below from previous contest finalists.)

Entrants will be competing for:

• Four (4) $500 cash awards (including one for the title of “Michael Terry People’s Choice” Award – from audience judging)


• Opportunity of a lifetime to spend a weekend sharing songs with some of the best performing songwriters in the nation


• An invitation to perform on the Bud Light Stage for recognition and CDs sales (top 20 entrants)


• Lodging for May 18 and 19, 2012


• Festival passes


• Access to the Green for the top 10 finalists on May 18 and 19, 2012

About the festival:
Celebrating its 20th year in 2012, the Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival has produced a feast of musical treats from nostalgia acts, current popular acts, nationally known singer/songwriters, and local/emerging artists. With five stages of entertainment to choose from in 2011, over 60,000 people enjoyed the 3-day event of music and art. The singer/songwriter stage line-up for 2012 includes the legendary Guy Clark, Beth Nielson Chapman, John Gorka, Mary Gauthier and Zoe Lewis. Beth Nielson Chapman is also conducting a songwriting workshop on Friday, May 18. One of the most popular features of the festival is the Performing Songwriter Contest. Wildflower! partners with Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse, the Dallas Songwriters Association, the Kerrville Folk Festival and 30 non-commercial venues/coffeehouses that offer original music in Texas to produce the singer/songwriter stage. Many of these promoters/presenters attend the festival and book artists they see in the contest, in the hotel song swaps and on the stages.

Fair screening process:
All entries are subjected to a blind and independent screening by several experienced music promoters, songwriters and educators familiar with original songwriting and performing techniques. The screeners come to a consensus by independent voting and select 10 of the entrants to compete at the festival on Saturday morning, May 19, 2012. The contest is a performing songwriting contest. The entries will be judged based on the quality of their songs (50%) and the artist’s presentation of their songs (50%).



Last year, all five winners were Sonicbids artists: Suzanna Choffel, Steve Chizmadia, RJ Cowdery, Bill Small and Ellen Cherry. Similarly, 4 of the 5 remaining finalists were also Sonicbids artists. Finalists must provide their own transportation to Richardson, Texas.

Comments from past contest finalists:

• “The Wildflower folks sure know how to throw a party! My experience was fantastic. Every detail was taken care of. From the accommodations and volunteers, to the beautiful theater and appreciative audiences. I loved how they made everyone feel welcome and special, like a folk star! Thank you Wildflower!” - Rj Cowdery, 2011 Winner
  


• 
  “The Singer/songwriter festival is a great way for emerging artists to get their names out there and be heard by people who can help their careers grow. You can tell that they take the competition there seriously, the prizes are really good, and they take good care of all the finalists.” – Colin McGrath, 2009 Winner (from Sonicbids)
  


• 
  “Wildflower was the most beautiful and well organized festival I've ever been part of. It is truly an honor to be selected to play on the Wildflower! singer/songwriter stage. It's the real deal and is validating for any songwriter to be asked to play there.” - Terry Holder, 2011 Contest Finalist
  


• 
  “I can't thank you enough for what a great experience the Wildflower! Festival was for me! I've been spreading the word about what a great thing you've got going on up in Richardson!” - Margo Valiante, 2010 Contest Winner