Mountain Soul Vocal Competition
Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Honors the Songwriting of Dolly Parton
She was born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, in Sevierville, Tennessee. A hometown girl, she drew much inspiration from her "Tennessee Mountain Home" and wrote about the beautiful scenery and Appalachian culture that surrounded her. When she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, just after her graduation from Sevier County High School, no one could have guessed what a prolific songwriter she would become. Now, over 3,000 songs later, Dolly continues to create wonderful music for people all over the world to enjoy.
To honor the incredible songwriting of Sevierville's favorite daughter, the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 3rd Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition. During this competition, contestants must sing a song written by Dolly Parton in the style of his or her own choosing (country, rock, rap, bluegrass, etc.). Contestants may enter in the 13 and up age division or the 12 and under division for this competition.
"This competition is truly unique and draws competitors from all corners of the United States," says Chamber Marketing Coordinator and event organizer Amanda Maples Marr. "Since Dolly Parton is Sevierville's hometown girl, holding a competition that honors her songwriting ability was a natural fit for us." As far as event organizers know, this is the only vocal competition in the world that specifically honors the songwriting of Dolly Parton.
Audition tapes, sent by mail, will be judged by a panel of entertainment professionals who will identify 20 finalists. Those finalists will then perform during the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals at Bloomin' Barbeque & Bluegrass on Saturday, May 19, 2007. The finals will be held at the Sevier County Courthouse near the bronze statue of Dolly Parton. For ages 13 and up, first prize includes $500 prize money a Nashville recording session and a guitar autographed by Dolly Parton. Second prize is $300, and third prize is $200. For ages 12 and under, first prize is $100, 2 season passes to Dollywood and a guitar autographed by Dolly Parton. Second is $50 and two day passes to Dollywood, and third is $25 and two day passes to Dollywood.
While contestants may sing the Dolly Parton song of his or her own choosing, there is one song that is off limits. "Contestants may not sing I will Always Love You," says Marr. "In our first competition year the song was incredibly popular with over half of the finalists belting it out. But we want to highlight a wider range of Dolly's writing so we're asking contestants to choose something different." 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.
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 (ages 13+ $10; ages 12 and under $5) 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 10, 2007.
The Mountain Soul Vocal Competition is part of Sevierville's Bloomin' Barbeque & Bluegrass event May 18-19, 2007. For more information about the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition or Bloomin' Barbeque & Bluegrass, visit
www.BloominBBQ.com.
