SONGWRITING CONTEST
Everybody wants to be happy – -truly, deeply, blissfully happy.
Convinced that knowing the nature of happiness will support its presence in our lives, we at Still Mountain Retreat have decided to explore its nature with HAPPINESS ... OR EVERYONE IS WAKING UP, a ninety- minute documentary film. Actively in production now, we are inviting the participation of songwriters by sponsoring a songwriting contest. Our hope is to find an original song that offers a unique reflection on the search for or nature of happiness. In this contest all musical genres are welcome, and we encourage deep contemplation on the essence of this elusive yet fundamental state.
Prizes
The winning song will be featured on the documentary’s soundtrack, and the winner will receive a cash prize of $1000 and a day to record his or her song in a professional recording studio in Woodstock, NY.
Judges
Currently we are in discussion with a few very talented songwriters and hope to reveal at least one of their names as judge within the next few weeks. However, due to their work calendars, we are changing the following dates: last day of submission - November 15; and winning announcement - November 30.
We are truly grateful for the participation of each songwriter who has entered or will enter this contest, and we are dedicated to finding a new judge who can listen to each song with a sensitivity and musical knowledge equivalent to Artie’s.
Artie Traum
Award-winning guitarist and songwriter Artie Traum is conversant in a variety of musical genres, as demonstrated by the masterful blending of folk, jazz and blues in his own compositions.
Artie, a pioneer of the 1970’s acoustic music scene, is featured on over 20 albums for Capitol, Sony, Shanachie, Slice of Life and Narada Records. Acoustic Guitar Magazine, 2002, describes him as a musician "whose work defines the vitality and sophistication of American acoustic music." During his career he has produced or recorded with with John Sebastian, The Band, Bela Fleck, Tony Levin, Richie Havens, Pete Seeger, Abby Newton, David Grisman, Livingston Taylor, Patty Larkin, Michael Franks, Jesse Winchester and dozens of top artists.
Wendy Waldman
Wendy Waldman is a critically acclaimed recording artist and songwriter. More than 70 artists have recorded Wendy's songs in pop, R&B, jazz, country, film, Latin and cowboy music. Among her biggest records are Save The Best For Last and The Sweetest Days by Vanessa Williams; Fishin' In The Dark and Home Again In My Heart by the Dirt Band; Baby What About You by Crystal Gayle; I Owe You One by Aaron Neville; Heartbeat by Don Johnson, I'm Gone by Alison Krauss, and most recently, Fishin in the Dark, released on Garth Brooks' new box set.
Her songs have also been recorded by Maria Muldaur, Robert Smith of the Cure, Linda Ronstadt, Kim Carnes, CeCe Winans, NewGrass Revival, Randy Travis, Randy Meisner, Edgar Winter, Jesse Colin Young, Percy Sledge, Kenny Rogers, Judy Collins, Melissa Manchester, Rita Coolidge and Bette Midler to name just a few.
