Sevierville’s 4th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Honors the Songwriting of Dolly Parton & is Accepting Applications Through April 11.
For the past four years, Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville, TN, has honored the music legend’s songwriting with the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition. This year, American Idol will also highlight Dolly’s contribution to music on the April 1 st and 2 nd broadcasts. During the April 1 show, contestants will sing a song written by Dolly and on the April 2 elimination show she will perform a song from her new album Backwoods Barbie .
While only the nine remaining finalists on American Idol will have the opportunity to put their spin on Dolly’s songs during those broadcasts, The 4 th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition gives all vocalists a unique opportunity to sing Dolly’s songs in their own style (country, rock, rap, bluegrass, etc.) for cash and prizes including a recording session in Nashville and guitars autographed by Dolly. Contestants may enter in the 13 and up age division or the 12 and under division for this competition and originality is encouraged. The deadline for entry in The Mountain Soul Vocal Competition is April 11.
“In the past three years, we have really seen some unique takes on Dolly Parton’s songs, and that’s exactly what we’re looking for,” says event coordinator Amanda Marr. “One contestant from California had a real Doors vibe and sang ‘Bargain Store’. It was very unique and really emphasized how versatile Dolly’s songs are.”
Although the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition has successfully drawn contestants from across the United States in each of its four years, organizers hope that American Idol’s focus on Dolly Parton’s songwriting will help generate even more interest in The Mountain Soul Vocal Competition.
To enter, contestants should send an audition tape, which will be judged by a panel of entertainment professionals to identify 30 finalists (20 in the 13+ category and 10 in the 12 and under category). Those finalists will then perform during the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals at Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass on Saturday, May 17, 2008. The finals will be held at the Sevier County Courthouse beside the bronze statue of Dolly Parton.
Prizes are as follows:
Ages 13 and Up
First Prize $500 + Nashville Recording Session at Sound Wave Studios & Accommodations + Guitar signed by Dolly Parton
Second Prize $300
Third Prize $200
Ages 12 and Under
First Prize $100 + 2 Season Passes to Dollywood + Guitar signed by Dolly Parton
Second Prize $50 + 2 Day Passes to Dollywood
Third Prize $25 + 2 Day Passes to Dollywood
“Dolly Parton’s songwriting catalogue is so vast with over 3,000 songs and we really encourage our contestants to look beyond the obvious songs that everyone knows and find those hidden musical gems,” says Marr. For a complete list of Dolly’s songs, competitors – and those that are interested – should visit www.dollymania.net . It is not necessary, nor is it encouraged, to impersonate Dolly Parton either physically or vocally.
As far as event organizers know, this is the only vocal competition in the world that specifically honors the songwriting of Dolly Parton.
Interested vocalists may obtain an application online at www.BloominBBQ.com or by calling the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce at 1-888-889-7415. Return the application and entry fee along with an audition tape, cd, vhs or dvd of the contestant singing a song written by Dolly Parton in the style of his or her own choosing to the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. Entries must be postmarked by April 11, 2008 .
The Mountain Soul Vocal Competition is coordinated by the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce and is part of the 4 th Annual Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass festival to be held May 16 & 17, 2008. For more information about The Mountain Soul Vocal Competition or Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass, go online to www.BloominBBQ.com or call 1-888-889-7415.

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