After spending an hour or two working on a composition the other night—yes, with pencil, paper, and acoustic piano—I wandered down to my office to check out Facebook. The first thing that popped up in my feed was an ad referring to a music contest: “Deadline extended to January 31.”
I quickly texted Jennie List (my co-writer and the one featured on my latest song), “Should we be entering ‘Open Road’ into the American Songwriter contest?” No answer. I would have to make a decision on my own.
Self-doubt crept….well, more like jumped in: “Who do you think you are? You’re not like those people in Nashville. Your lyrics are simple. Those songwriters down there are professionals and you’re a hack.”
Next, I told myself the contest was probably a scam.
I looked up the judges. One of them had released a song with Keith Urban. It was a sign! We all know how I feel about him.
I clicked on my YouTube channel and found the song I was considering. Two measures in, I had decided. I uploaded “Open Road,” paid the $25 entrance fee, and gave them my information, with only 2 hours, 35 minutes, and 12 seconds left.
Wish me luck!
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