Sunday, September 13, 2015

Bethesda Urban Partnership seeks entries for 2nd annual $10,000 songwriting contest

$10,000 is up for grabs to an aspiring songwriter again this fall, in the 2nd annual Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards. A second $2500 prize will go to a songwriter under the age of 18.

Contestants will submit three original songs, and each song must have lyrics. All genres are welcomed. Maximum song length is 4:30 minutes for each track. The finalists will each perform two of their original songs for a live audience on Friday, March 4, 2016, at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club. Winners will be announced at the close of the performance.

The deadline for entries is November 6, 2015. For full rules and application, visit Bethesda UP's website.

Last year's inaugural winners say that the Bernard/Ebb prize has boosted their careers. Owen Danoff, winner of the $10,000 prize, has won further awards for his current album and is working on a new one. “After college I looked forward to returning home and reintroducing myself to the D.C. music scene,” Danoff says. “But I could not have imagined the opportunities that I have been given, or the outpouring of support for my music.”

Young songwriter award-winner Lexi Peto has used the momentum from her win to relocate to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. In Music City, she has played at Debi Champion’s showcase at the Commodore Grille, Pepsi Studio Gallery at Fontanel and with Buck McCoy at Legends Corner, to name a few. Her first album, Where I Belong, was released last November.

The Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards was founded by Bethesda resident and President of the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, Cathy Bernard. It is named for Bernard's uncle, Fred Ebb, famed American songwriter, creator of Broadway hits Cabaret and Chicago and writer of songs including "New York, New York". 

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