Starting the first month of Jan 2011, Stonewalls will host a monthly songwriting contest during open mic from 10pm-11pm. I will buy a pitcher of beer and a pizza for all the songwriters to share...get there before it's all gone!

Here's the scoop on the contest.

1. It will be held monthly and it will be topical (thus the topic will change monthly...hopefully not to be repeated; this months topic = Protest Songs!)
2. Songs are not to exceed 7 minutes long.
3. All songs must be original content.
4. One of the writers must perform the piece, though there can be as many writers as you want. How you split the pot is your deal.
5. NO PROFANITY...EVERYBODY LOVES A GOOD F-BOMB OR SH*T BUT THIS WILL BE LIVE ON THE RADIO...AND WSHC CAN'T AFFORD THE FINES. SO DON'T BE A D-BAG...KEEP IT CLEAN.

The winner will be chosen by the judges...the judges will be: myself, what ever bartender is working that particular Sunday, and one guest judge, chosen by me. (Who are we to judge...no one really and it will be subjective...remember, we're just regular people with opinions. If your song doesn't win...it doesn't mean it's not good...it just means we like something else better that night. Maybe next time we won't think the same.)

The winner will be chosen based on four categories:

1. 28% - How on topic was the selection.
2. 28% - Performance
3. 28% - Originality
4. 16% - Audience participation (Bring your friends...they will vote. You won't be able to win solely on how many people you get to come watch though; this is a songwriting contest and not a popularity contest.)

The prizes:

1. Money: Think of it like five card stud for songwriters. Each artist buys in at the beginning of the night for five dollars, and the winner walks home with the pot. If there's five writers, the winner gets 25...if there's ten...50 and so on. I receive no money from the contest, nor am I able to compete...this is just me trying to foster continuous writing and creating; and sometimes a little friendly competition will breed innovation.

2. Satisfaction that you created something new. It ain't the big time, but each song you write is one step closer to being the songwriter you want to be, and the money you win will pay your bar tab...or a half tank of gas...what ever...

As always and until further notice, Open Mic at Stonewalls will be broadcast live on WSHC 89.7 FM, and on the internet at WSHC897.ORG

If you have any questions, feel free to call me 304-283-3420 or email me at bob@bobkeel.com