This past weekend I was in Texas for the Dallas Songwriters Association’s annual song contest awards banquet. This is one of the premier songwriting organizations in the country and they certainly know what they’re doing when it comes to putting on an event. Besides emceeing the event, I was asked to be the Grand Prize Judge for this song contest. I am a sucker for this, as there is nothing I would rather do than listen to independent music.

I received 29 songs to review that were the finalists in each of the genre categories, and my job was to sort through them and pick the best song. Like the previous years, the judging is done in a blind listening format, meaning I don’t know who the artists are. You may think this is easy, but I have to say, it can be quite challenging. I commute a considerable amount of time each way to work, so after listening to each song several times over a few days, I narrow it down to the standouts. Then I listen on my studio speakers for more clarity and less noise.

Below are the eight songs that made it to my final cut. Remember, this is a song contest and not a production or performance contest. If it were a production contest, only three of these eight would have made it this far. Also, these are simply my personal opinions, which are no more valid than yours. I truly believe there are good features in every song and a few things that could be improved with each one as well. With that said, listen to the eight songs below and let me know which are your top three. I’m sure the writers would appreciate the feedback as well. I’ll let you know what my picks were in a few days.

Army Man

The Love You Can’t Have

Covered In Red

Heaven and Earth

Everything

Gotta Get Me Some Of That

Last Time I Go First

The Long Way Home

As I mentioned in the opening, the DSA is an organization that songwriting groups should model. They are organized, hard working and dedicated to helping songwriters everywhere. Many of the submissions came form overseas and many from other parts of the U.S. Thanks again to the Dallas folks for being such great hosts.

Let’s hear your thoughts.

Roy

Posted by Broadjam on Oct 7, 2005 in Broadjam Blog