• A current round-up of songwriting contests: The 1993 Songwriting Contest of the Virginia Organization of Composers and Lyricists (VOCAL) is open to accept entries with a postmark no later than March 31, 1993, until April 30, 1993. Prizes are: Grand Prize -- an Electro-voice ND857B Microphone plus a gift certificate for $50 from Southern Music in Richmond, VA. Second Prize -- a Tascam Porta 03 Ministudio. Third Prize -- An acoustic guitar. Additional prizes include $25 for winning a category. For information and entry forms, write to: VOCAL, POB 34606, Richmond, VA 23234.
• The 1993 Greater Southern Country Music Association Songwriting Contest is accepting entries of country songs. Entry tee is $10 or 3 songs for $25.
Apparently the winning song's will be recorded on a compilation CD and the winner(s) will receive 10 free copies. For more information, write Greater Southern C.M.A. Songwriting Contest, POB 780, Aripeka, F: 34679.
• A contest for some serious consideration comes courtesy of the IBMA Newsletter. Warner/Elektra/Asylum, lnc. will sponsor the first Annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (and an accompanying endowed scholarship in music at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C.). Chris Austin was a North Carolina songwriter, bluegrass musician and alumnus of the Ricky Skaggs Band who was killed in the 1991 plane crash that also killed seven other members of Reba McEntire's band.
The deadline for entry is March 15, 1993. There are tour categories of entries: bluegrass, country, gospel and general. For a complete set of rules and an application, send an SASE to: The Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, The Merle Watson Memorial Festival, Wilkes Community College, P.O. Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC 28697-0120, or call 919-651-8691.
We got a letter from Sunlite Music Company down in Owensboro. They're working on a Singer-Songwriter Showcase to be held at Woodward's Cafe inside the RiverPark Center in downtown Owensboro. The showcase is still in the planning stages, but it you're interested, contact Michael A. Gatewood at 502-684-9569.