Surprising Sawdust Sunlight ... ISSA Song Contest Nominee

Imagine my surprise tonight, trying to get clothes laundered, folded, ironed and starched, ready for the week and then off to bed, when an early AM email comes through my Blackberry, informing me that I had been 'selected' as a nominee for the 2009 Session 2 ISSA (Independent Singer-Songwriter Association) Song Contest in the Folk Category. 

Now, since I've barely finished this song and roughly remember a very quick vocal a week or so ago to get it uploaded in time to submit,  I wasn't expecting such a quick response.   Maybe honorable mention, I thought the song was that good.   And friends have been very positive in their feedback, suggesting even a stronger showing than I hoped for, but hey, I'm a realist, and have to be as a songwriter, because you get rejected more than the average bear in this business.

Well, let me clarify:  Since 2006 when I really started crankin' with the tunes, I've written probably close to 50 or so new tunes, about ten of those co-writes with buddies from songwriting retreats. Now, as an 'out there' artist, I'm up on at least 6 different artist sites and when I can afford it, submit my music to any contest I think will get me before an audience, especially those with critiques built in, so I can keep track of how well I'm progressing, right?

OK, here's the thing:  not countin' the bucks involved, I've probably submitted over 400 times since then, with a rejection rate of 99.999999 percent.  Seriously.  I wouldn't lie about this track record!  But, being the eternal optimist, I have believed instead, it meant, well, I'm going for that golden  .1 percent!  I only need ONE song to make it!  Meanwhile, I keep writing, and keep submitting, and keep papering my walls with all of the 'not selected' notices.

SOOOOOOO ... I was so tired last night, I almost deleted that little "Selected" notice I got in the middle of a bunch of "not selected" notices at 1 AM this morning.  Until something caught my eye - there were not two words, just one,  it wasn't "Not Selected", it was, I couldn't believe it, "SELECTED".  Try and go to sleep after that kind of suprise!  I had to bug my Australian pals because I knew they would be up in the middle of the day, and just love getting these middle-of-the-night missives from me :)

But there's also something else that happens when you let someone else in on all that "gold" beaming through a brightened heart.   It means you are affirming your success, your right to be there,  out from under the bushel and back in the sunlight, shining  .... 

Listen here to the track I submitted - it's just a 'rough' cut, but will let you hear what the judges heard, and help motivate you to get out there and vote for Sawdust Sunlight at the ISSA website.  More on that piece later ...                      

Meanwhile, If I want to keep writing songs, I need to sleep, dream, get that gold-spark creative dust flying again  ....