The Songwriter’s Showdown August 24, 2010

How we do it:
Cover charge is $5 for audience, $3 for participants
The show starts promptly at 7 pm
Host and soundman (or guest) will judge: in the event of a judging tie, the tiebreaker will be determined by the audience
Performers are judged in 5 areas – songwriting, vocal performance, playing ability, stage presence, and audience response
Cash prize to winner – 75% of the door, up to $50 and a space in “the Showdown Finals”
We provide 1 vocal mic, 1 DI, and 1 instrument mic if needed
From the performers, the judges choose 3 semi-finalists to perform one additional song each, then a winner is selected from the 3 finalists. That winner goes home with a cash prize and the opportunity to perform at the Showdown Finals and the chance to win the big cash prize!!
Rules for open mic participants:
Sign up begins at 6:15 – 10 slots (exception may be made for touring artists traveling through the area) You must sign up in person.
If slots are filled by 6:45, performer present may have first shot at a slot for the next week: however, you must confirm your slot the next week before 6:45
Each participant pays $3 cover
Only solo acoustic performers – no amps, EFX, looping devices
Each songwriter is allowed 2 original songs, no longer than 10 minutes total
Tuesday winners are allowed to play any Tuesday, but are not allowed to win the cash prize again until the semi annual Showdown is over (dates to be determined)
Participants must perform original songs to be eligible for a prize – you may cover someone else’s song, but will not be allowed to win a prize. Also, performers doing “covers” will only be allowed to fill a slot in the event that all 10 nightly spots are not first filled by original songwriters

Official Website: http://ashlandcoffeeandtea.com/showdown/