Troops Invited to Submit Original Songs

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 13, 2007 - The Dallas Songwriters Association is inviting aspiring songwriters who happen to wear a military uniform to enter their original tunes in its 2007/2008 "Songs from the Soul of Service" contest. "We've ramped up a little bit better technology this time so we can facilitate everything online," William Brown, the program's director, said of this second competition. "We have it set up for them to upload (submissions) directly to Broadjam music service."

Broadjam provides Web-based promotional tools and services for independent musicians, the music industry and fans around the world, according to the company's Web site.

He said he hopes this, and earlier publicity, will result in a bigger turnout than the last contest.

"We're hoping to double (the number of entries)," Brown said. "We got about 400 submissions last year (and) I'm hoping for 800.

The association also will accept cassette tapes or CDs via "snail mail" as well, he said. While e-mail is not a primary entry method, Brown said the group is flexible.

"E-mail is not an official entry method, but, if we get them, we take them," Brown said.

Servicemembers can submit their songs or those of an immediate family member into one of seven categories including country, world, instrumental, novelty, hip hop, pop or inspirational. Military personnel also may submit a song posthumously on behalf of an immediate family member or a fallen comrade.

Servicemembers are encouraged to follow their hearts when it comes to the songs.

"In the last contest, we had (a winning entry that) had some language on it that wasn't quite family friendly. So we had to kind of work with (the writer) on a kind of a radio edit of that one," he said. "We don't want to impose that kind of a thing on somebody at the beginning. If it gets to the end and it turns out to be ... a winning song, if there are things we need to do, we'll do that at the end."

Entries, which are currently being accepted, must be received no later than Dec. 31. Winners from each category will be notified in February, according the contest Web site. A grand prize winner will be selected from the category winners.

The grand-prize winner will receive a weekend stay at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, as well as a premium Broadjam membership, Brown said.

"In addition to their premium services that they're making available as a prize ... they give you a free six-month basic membership," he said. "Broadjam is ... a great service for the aspiring musician and performer."

Category Winners will be included on a professionally produced compilation CD of the best songs from the contest. Other prizes will be announced throughout the contest.

For more information, and complete contest rules, please visit the Songs from the Soul of Service Web site.