Is it that time of year again already? Yep, the finals of the Sevierville Mountain Soul Vocal Competition, in which contestants sing one song written by Dolly Parton vying for a studio session and 500 clams, is fixing to happen at the Bloomin' Barbecue and Bluegrass Festival May 21. First, though, a contestant has to make it past the audition round, and entries for that are due April 15, so get cracking.Bet you didn't know Trisha Gene Brady of the Black Lillies, who just released CD number 2, 100 Miles of Wreckage, is a past winner.
Here's what the organizers say:
SINGING DOLLY'S SONGS IN HER OWN HOMETOWN
Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Honors the Songwriting of Dolly Parton
She was born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, in Sevierville, Tennessee. A hometown girl, she drew much inspiration from her "Tennessee Mountain Home" and wrote about the beautiful scenery and Appalachian culture that surrounded her. When she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, just after her graduation from Sevier County High School, no one could have guessed what a prolific songwriter she would become. Now, over 3,000 songs later, Dolly continues to create wonderful music for people all over the world to enjoy.
To honor the incredible songwriting of Sevierville's favorite daughter, the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 7th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition. During this competition, contestants must sing a song written by Dolly Parton in the style of his or her own choosing (country, rock, rap, bluegrass, etc.). Contestants may enter in the 13 and up age division or the 12 and under division for this competition.
"This competition is truly unique and draws competitors from all corners of the United States," says Chamber Marketing Coordinator and event organizer Amanda Maples Marr. "Since Dolly Parton is Sevierville's hometown girl, holding a competition that honors her songwriting ability was a natural fit for us." As far as event organizers know, this is the only vocal competition in the world that specifically honors the songwriting of Dolly Parton. Winning competitors take home cash and prizes including a recording session in Nashville, Tennessee.
Audition tapes, sent by mail, will be judged by a panel of entertainment professionals who will identify 30 finalists (20 in the 13+ category and 10 in the 12 and under category). Entry deadline for the preliminary round of The Mountain Soul Vocal Competition is Friday April 15, 2011. Those finalists will then perform during the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals at Bloomin' Barbeque & Bluegrass on Saturday, May 21, 2011. The finals will be held at the Sevier County Courthouse near the bronze statue of Dolly Parton.
Prizes are as follows:
Ages 13 and Up
First Prize $500 + Nashville Recording Session at Sound Wave Studios & Accommodations
Second Prize $300
Third Prize $200
Ages 12 and Under
First Prize $100 + 2 Season Passes to Dollywood
Second Prize $50 + 2 Day Passes to Dollywood
Third Prize $25 + 2 Day Passes to Dollywood
While contestants may sing the Dolly Parton song of his or her own choosing, there are a couple songs that are off limits. "Contestants may not sing I Will Always Love You or Jolene," says Marr. "In our first competition year the song was incredibly popular with over half of the finalists belting it out. But we want to highlight a wider range of Dolly's writing so we're asking contestants to choose something different." For a complete list of Dolly's songs, competitors - and those that are interested - should visit www.dollymania.net <http://www.dollymania.net/> . It is not necessary, nor is it encouraged to impersonate Dolly Parton, either physically or vocally.
Interested vocalists may obtain an application online at www.BloominBBQ.com <http://www.bloominbarbequeandbluegrass.com/> or by calling the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce at 1-888-889-7415. Return the application and entry fee along with an audition tape, cd, vhs or dvd of the contestant singing a song written by Dolly Parton in the style of his or her own choosing to the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. Entries must be postmarked by April 15, 2011.
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