I’m Not A Fan Of Song Contests
May 10th, 2010 by Lior ShamirExactly a year ago, I contacted a successful and influential music business professional (I won’t reveal his name) and invited him to join our panel of song contest judges.
In the spirit of full transparency, I wanted to share his response with you:
Sorry if this offends, but I’m afraid I’m not a big fan of song contests. While I know they provide a platform for a few; they provide disappointment and false hope to many. So I’m not sure that I’d be an appropriate judge or partner.
Feel free to add your comments >>
May 11th, 2010 at 6:44 am
As someone who has been in this business for many years and lost more contests than I have won (and I have won a number of awards), Unfortunately, part of being in this business is learning to take the numerous disappointments that go along with it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. It is all a crapshoot. Most successful people will tell you they have had more failures than successes before they finally hit it big. Most people think they are going to get into this business and make it overnight and when that doesn’t happen they get discouraged and give up. I have been in this business for over 35 years and I’m finally just beginning to achieve the level of success I have worked so long for. It was because of persistence, not because I wined over loosing literally hundreds of song contests.
If you get discouraged or disappointed that easily, my guess is that you probably don’t belong in this business.
May 11th, 2010 at 6:59 am
If a contest costs more than $5 and doesn’t give a critique, why would I enter? I can submit for a real requirement and get a professional critique for that fee…maybe even get a forward and a deal.
Lior Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Sounds like Taxi?
Russell Blalack Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Yes.
May 11th, 2010 at 7:43 am
I understand. I’ve never really been interested in song contest but kept hearing it’s a great way to make noise in the music industry. Although I did enter one here with We Are Listening since Lior seemed like such a genuine guy!
But I have never been fully convinced it was the best way to go investment wise since I haven’t heard of many who started out in song writing contest particularly in R&B/Hip-hop circles that have gained much traction in the industry. I thought I would have better gains having my music critiqued by professionals who can help me hone my writing skills and see how the crowds react to my music at shows and that has helped a lot.
Still have a lot of improvement as always but as I write with other professionals I improve. The public seems to be fitting judges since outside of ourselves, they are the ones who we really do it for, most of us anyway.
Lior Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Always practical, level-headed and cool, James
May 11th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
My problem is being judged by those that have no idea of where I stand as a artist. If they don’t know where Iam coming from or want to standardize me then that will be cutting me short. I do whats called concious hip hop Iam not a gansta rapper which tends to seemingly get more attention in the industry. If you not a gansta then your style has to be very similar to Tribe Called Quest or something. I feel if your a label and you want to see if someone will sell, help them develop their own brand. Then give them the marketing and promotion that will usher success. I have many artist say that they feel the resson why they failed is because their label did not give them the proper level of marketing and promo. Contest can be very intimidating because its so up to someone eles to validate your hottness. The problem is alot of these judges are looking to find their own particular star someone who fits their idea of one. I like showcases where a artist can just go perform their songs and their is not as much pressure. The crowds response will let you know how well you did.
Lior Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
In which case, don’t sign with a label. Do your own promotion and seek out the wisdom of the crowds instead of the bias of a handful of insiders.
May 11th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Music is art. It is an expression. Simply express yourself and let it go. It is people’s twisted desire to achieve stardom and fame that allows “contests” to exist. They make money by feeding off of that desperation and it serves no purpose other than to make money for the contest givers.
Just play your music and write your songs. Let your fans be your “judge” if you need one. If you’d like critique from other artists, get with other artists or teachers and seek their feedback. But, contests – competition? No.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Art serves a purpose far beyond contests. If you do it to compete, then you’re not doing art.
May 11th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
A fascinating process transpires as I enter these contests; at first I’m very angry when I don’t win, because it’s so painfully obvious (to me) that my little song was the best- and really the only- choice; then, I listen to my competitors and get really intrigued by what they’re doing- their styles and approaches; and I realize what a vast community I’m operating within.
One learns to avoid the cons and rapists as one progresses, but even if a contest does wind up being a little dicey- so what?; I’m listening to some great and unique musical personalities (sometimes the ‘losers’ are more appealing than the ‘winners’), I’m meeting my countrymen, and I’m not watching television.
Lior Reply:
May 20th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I think you hit the nail on the head, Dave: Song Contest Psych 101.
Good to have you here.
May 11th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
A very negative attitude supporting a clever statement and way to say no,I don’t want to be a judge. The music industry is very closed to most ways of trying to get into the business. Because there is a lot of crap out there. All music publishers will not accept unsolicited material, be it completed song or lyrics. A contest provides a meaningful way for aspiring writers to have a chance to gain an entry point into music writing. I do feel and believe that, song and lyric writing contests should offer more prospects for the ranked winners and honorable mention level contestants, to have their works pitched to music publishers for collaboration into completed songs submitted to performers for sale and or royalties.
May 12th, 2010 at 6:23 am
To each his own, as the saying goes.
I prefer to look at the glass as being half full.
There are some scams out there, but as with anything you’ve gotta do your homework.
There are also a lot of legitimate opportunities that can help you get to the next level.
Just because rotten apples do exist, doesn’t mean that one should give up on eating apples.
May 17th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
In a good, well judged, many-competitor and widely known music contest, sure there is value. The Grammys are one after all. But, there are a whole lot of rip-off contests out there who charge a hefty fee ($25, $35) to enter a song then if you aren’t in the top ten you never hear another word.
If you are a professional musician, enter contests as a promotional venture and only go for those where you see many contestants and a lot of PR about the winners and runners-up.
May 18th, 2010 at 2:14 am
Made ALOT of submissions to contests via sonicbids.com . Had some successes that include being signed to an independent label, CMI cash mattock records inc., resulting in my debut cd; And even some attaboys from ‘We Are Listening’ in 05′.
That said, I firmly believe that my PAID submissions deserve more than a ‘Not Selected’ status and the stock ‘We’ve decided not to work with you at this time.’ as the reason I was not selected. They’ve gotten my $, but I’ve gotten NOTHING in return! I don’t expect an in depth critique, but I feel that I deserve SOMETHING that will point me in the right direction!!
Now I sound like I’m just frustrated and am venting, but no more PAID submissions to ANY contests until even the ‘losers’ get something in return for their entry. They didn’t just send money; they sent a CREATION that deserves more than a stock, unexplained thumbs down.
peace, butch barnette