Singer Songwriter Competition Official Entry Form

1. Send entries via email to dongibsonsingersongwriter@gmail.com, via mail to The Don Gibson Theatre, PO Box 105, Shelby NC 28151 or upload at www.dongibsonsingersongwriter.com. Must include: Lyric sheet, Entry Form, $25.00 registration fee due by Check, Cash or Credit Card (Call 704-487-8114 for CC payment), and an .mp3, .wav, DVD, CD or youTube link of you singing your original song. PLEASE NOTE: On your demo entry, make sure your vocals are outfront to allow judges to hear lyrics.
2. Must be 13 years or older
3. May bring one accompanist but the songwriter must sing their own original composition
4.  Entries open January 1 and close 7 days prior to Competition date.
5. Criteria for Judging:
   •Composition Quality (depth, insight, cleverness, creativity) 45%
   •Vocal Quality (pitch, tone, projection) 20%
   •Overall creativity, difficulty 15%•Showmanship/Delivery (personality, charisma, connection with audience) 15%
   •Audience response 5%
6. Winner receives Don Gibson American Music Foundation Award, $1000 cash prize, opportunity to open a future show at the Don Gibson Theatre. Second place is awarded $400 cash prize and third place is awarded $200 cash prize.
7. A Sing Along prior to competition will be held in the Don Gibson main stage.
8. $25 entry fee is non-refundable but includes admission into all events, even if you are not one of the 12 finalists.
9.  Instruments allowed must be carried to mics onstage. Piano provided. No recorded music.
10.  Each song submitted must include an entry fee and separate audio files, an entry form, and a lyric sheet.
11. Finalists will play an original song and one pre-approved Don Gibson song at the event. Judging is based on the performer’s original song.
12.  Maximum time limit is 5 minutes per song.
13. Acoustic instruments with pickups are permitted and EQ but not special effects.
14. Pre-Approved Don Gibson song must be chosen from the list of Don Gibson Songs on Singer Songwriter Symposium home page.
15.  The 12 finalists will be notified after the preliminary round (time to be announced.) Finalists must be able to perform at the final competition to be eligible for the prize.