DEADWOOD, SD (07/18/2024) – What do songs like “Brokenheartsville” by Joe Nichols, “That’s Why I Pray” by Big & Rich, “Sorry” by Buckcherry, “Back” by Randy Houser, “Reckless” by Martina McBride and many more hits have in common?
They were all written by songwriters that will be performing at the 13th annual Wild West Songwriters’ Festival October 17-19 in historic Deadwood, South Dakota.
Returning for the second year is the regional songwriting competition where artists may submit an original song to be one of the 12 chosen to participate in the ‘National Songwriting Rounds’ with world renowned songwriters as well as a grand prize of $2,500 cash and an invitation to perform during Wild Bill Days 2025.
Artists may submit their entry at https://bit.ly/WWSF2024 by August 15, 2024.
The top 12 entries will be chosen by a panel of judges and will be notified by September 6th. Songwriters that aren’t chosen as a part of the top 12 may still participate in local rounds throughout the weekend.
If you were not chosen as one of the top 12 but would still like to participate, you can email jallen@dmgrand.com for details.
If selected, artists will be responsible for lodging and transportation to the festival.
Dubbed one of the “best live music festivals for fans” and one of the “top ten songwriter’s festivals you don’t want to miss”, the three-day event (produced as a collaboration between the Deadwood Chamber & Visitor’s Bureau and local business leaders) will feature songwriters that have produced or co-written hits for artists such as George Strait, Tim McGraw, Gary Allan, Chris Stapleton, Gretchen Wilson, Craig Morgan and many more.
The festival will feature three days of free “writer’s rounds” which will showcase songwriters who are excellent performers in their own right, singing the hits they have written and telling the story behind the music. These rounds are fan favorites most notably because they are able to listen to songs that have sold millions across the world in very intimate venues throughout the historic town of Deadwood.
Already slated to appear and perform are Clint Daniels, Danny Myrick, Marti Frederiksen, Kendall Marvel, Adam Chaffins, and more. Writer’s rounds will begin Thursday night and continue through Saturday including many local and regional songwriters playing locations throughout historic Deadwood.
Friday evening will culminate with the local songwriter’s jam at Deadwood Tobacco Co. Also scheduled for Saturday is a national Songwriter’s Showcase at Deadwood Mountain Grand beginning at 8:30 pm featuring many of the national writers performing newly written material as well as old favorites. Top-placing regional songwriters will also perform.
For more information, email info@dmgrand.com. To enter the regional competition and submit an original song, visit https://bit.ly/WWSF2024.
