Come hear the finalists play in the First Annual Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest:

• Mike Tappan from Valdosta, Georgia
• Emmett Carlisle from Gainesville, Florida
• Hollin Gammage from McMinnville, Tennessee.
• Dave Phar of Suwannee Canoe Outpost at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak, Florida.
• Jay Jourden of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Stay tuned for more. We’re not giving out their song titles, lyrics, or music: for those come to the contest and hear them live!

Here is a printable PDF flyer.

Why: Everybody knows one song about the Suwannee River. There should be more, and what about the Withlacoochee, Alapaha, Alapahoochee, and all the others?

Song Submissions: Submissions opened Monday April 2, 2018, and are now closed.

The Contest: 1-5PM, Saturday, June 23, 2018

Where: The Salty Snapper, 1405 Gornto Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602

Tickets: $10 each online, or $12 at the door

Event: facebook, meetup; use these to say you’re coming, but don’t forget to get your tickets.

Paddle: You can even paddle that same morning down the Withlacoochee River into Valdosta to get to the Salty Snapper.

What: Food, beverages, silent auction. Finalists will play, sponsors will be acknowledged.

Prizes: $300 First Prize,
$50 winner from within the Suwannee River Basin, $50 winner from elsewhere,
and one winner in each musical genre.
Finalists must be present to win.

What to submit: Lyrics and sound (mp3 or wav) about one or more of the Suwannee or its tributaries the Little, Black, or Gopher, the Withlacoochee or its tributaries the Little or New, the Alapaha or its tributaries the Alapahoochee, Willacoochee, Little Alapaha, or Dead, or other Rivers, creeks, springs, sinks, swamps, or ponds in the Suwannee River Basin or Estuary. Nature, people, or events, are all good.

Avoid: Not about the Santa Fe River or waterbodies in that sub-basin (there’s another contest for that). Avoid proselytizing religion. Avoid partisan politics or specific candidates, but issues are OK. Avoid things that don’t exist here (no crocodiles; no flamingos). Explicit lyrics (vulgar or violent) will not be accepted.

Bands: of more than one musician are OK. All finalists must arrive early for sound check.

Judges: will mark finalists on originality of lyrics and music, showing the integrity and value of the waters, and more. Extra credit for naming the most rivers (springs, etc.); tying them together in a way that shows their value is even better.

Sponsoring: the contest is a great way to get your organization or personal name recognized, in the program, on the stage, with a sponsor banner for you, and many other ways.
Update April 2, 2018: Sponsor Opportunities Form.
Update April 3, 2018: Draft sponsor banners (and PDF of banners):

Contest banner

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Contact: song@suwanneeriverkeeper.org, 850-290-2350, wwals.net/category/songwriting/

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!

Previous Updates:

Update May 21, 2018: New location: The Salty Snapper, Valdosta, GA.

Update May 15, 2018: Deadline extended to Friday, June 1, 2018!
We got more submissions but we want still more.

Update May 8, 2018: More submissions.
Update May 3, 2018: Submissions coming in and judges selected.
Update April 2, 2018: Submissions are now open with entry form!

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