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Forums > American Idol > American Idol & Celebrity Lounge

Subject: AI Songwriting Contest Finally Announced...

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Username: Gregoriancant
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Katharine Addict
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Member Since 5/26/2006

04/05/2007 2:00 AM	Alert
I was happy to hear that 'AI' is finally going to go ahead with that songwriting contest this week. There were some rumors circulating that it wasn't going to happen because of the Idol Gives Back campaign was taking up most of their behind-the-scenes energies. I'm thinking the producers figured they'd better do the songwriting contest anyway--or it'd tick off a lot of people who were counting on it...hence perhaps putting a dent in the ratings. You can't say 'AI' doesn't go for broke when it comes to trying to get the biggest numbers possible. At the end of the season, I think we'll find out it was the most-watched season ever thanks to the Idol Gives Back show at the end of this month and the songwriting contest that'll get thousands (if not millions) involved. As some of you know, I'm going to be submitting a song to this. I noticed that you have to make an MP3 demo of your song rather than just turning in the song sheet. Because I'd never done that before, it kind of bothered me. Though 'AI' has clear directions how to make a demo right off your computer. I have everything I need (I think) to get that done. Heaven forbid I sing the demo, though, so I'm going to have someone else I know sing my own song. It should be simple enough. Also, I have the lyrics already written out, so submitting those is a piece of cake. I'll be the accompanist on the piano for the demo. I think Co's submitting one (she's keeping mum)--and I'm curious if anyone here will be participating. Sure, this will be like winning the lottery just to make the Final 20, but well worth doing if you have a good song ready. I guess the Final 20 picks (by the professionals) will be voted on via the public. Here's the link to the main page for the contest and directions on how to submit... songwriter.americanidol.com/ The $10 entry fee is to be expected (almost every contest has that)--though I wish they'd give funds made off that toward the Idol Gives Back charity rather than helping to line Simon's wallet.

Username: trsf
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04/12/2007 1:41 AM	Alert
Good luck. Is your song in the mold of their past coronation songs like "My Destiny" and "A Moment Like This"? Perhaps something more upbeat? I won't be submitting. My one and only attempt at songwriting was in an elective music class in college, and it was terrible. Maybe I'd try if I could be crowned the William Hung/Sanjaya Malakar of songwriting. ("I don't have any professional training." )

Username: Gregoriancant
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Location: Oregon, USA

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04/12/2007 2:06 AM	Alert
^Thanks for the good luck--because I'll need it what with the thousands of submissions dumped over the heads of the (anonymous) judges. Ryan announced tonight that they have 5,000 so far...though I suspect it'll be over 10,000 by the deadline day next week. I'm submitting my demo and lyrics probably Sunday or Monday. My song more or less fits an "inspirational" type of bill as the last ones were--even though the lyrics reflect something else entirely that I haven't seen done anywhere else. It's basically just a pop/rock song. But beyond that, I've added a few little touches to the music to make it slightly different. I'm hoping 'AI' is looking for one that's a little different...yet still accessible. That's a hard line to balance on without wanting to get too creative. I'd like to see an "auditions" tape in May of all the songs the unknown judges had to wade through. When it comes to songs, you can get some that are just as bad as the singers you see during the audition phase. And sometimes a bad song can get more laughs than a bad singer. We'll have to wait and see what they do with that--but they should show a segment showcasing some of the songs they received. After reading 'AI's contract--it appears you're still under 19E's wing even if you make their Top 20. They'll be choosing 20 songs that the public will be voting for presumably in May. I'm not too crazy to think of the possibility of having my song under their ownership even if you crack the Top 20. But if they could do something with it, I wouldn't complain or pull a Kelly C. by calling lawyers to get out of the contract. Anyway, I hope others here (or anybody just reading) will dig an old song they wrote out and submit it if you can get a demo made. Winning this will be like winning the lottery and guarantee you success too. Don't worry about your demo either if it's not perfect. They're merely looking for a good song and not how good of a performance there is on the demo MP3. Fortunately, mine might be a passable demo thanks to having a fairly good singer and high-end microphone...

Username: Gregoriancant
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Katharine Addict
Location: Oregon, USA

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04/18/2007 1:15 AM	Alert
Just an update for those interested: I won't be submitting my song to the 'AI' contest after all this year due to some problems I encountered getting a demo made over the last few days. Also, the song still needs a few little tweaks to help accommodate a singer a little easier. I do have a couple of wide intervallic leaps that should be amended. This factored into not getting a demo made that I wanted. I tried to sing it myself, but I really wanted a female to sing it. Yes, that might be a hint that I figured Jordin or Melinda would be the winner and ultimately be the interpreters. I would have paid more than the $10 entry fee to hear either one of them sing this song. Anyway, it's not that big of a deal, because I'm just now working with my songwriter software and intend to get about ten years worth of songs finally written down. I only had time to get one song written...and taken out of thin air besides. Since this song was written, I've acquired a MIDI keyboard that will help me speed up the process in the next year. Also, I've studied the songwriting business and could find other avenues in getting it marketed somewhere along the line. At least we know 'AI' will be on probably clear into the next decade...and presumably the songwriting contest with that. Maybe they won't do it again after this year (especially if the winning song is as sappy as prior ones), but next year I'll have a wider selection of songs to choose from--plus giving me time to hone my skills. Thanks to those showing support for this intended career risk. It could have turned into something good...but there's no way of knowing. It'll be interesting to see what they ultimately choose in May. One last note: I'll likely put the lyrics for my song over on my MySpace later in the week so you can at least see those. They've been copyrighted...so no stealing. And I think you'll find them different from the type of lyrics you usually hear in the winning 'AI' singles...despite (in my mind) still being accessible.

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