Wow, somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming. I got an email two weeks ago that every songwriter dreams of getting. It started with, “Congratulations, you’ve been selected as a Mountain Stage NewSong Regional Finalist. You’ve worked hard on your craft, and it clearly shows. It’s also an honor to be working with you to help get your music introduced to a bigger audience.”
Needless to say I started whooping and hollerin’. This is Mountain Stage. This is NewSong. I’m a finalist. This is HUGE. It’s one of those, “I’ve already won” moments. I mean, I’d love to make it out of this round and into the finals, but I have already won by making it this far.
There are lots of bumps and wrong turns on this music-making road and I admit, lately I have been feeling a little weary. But no one wants to read a songwriter whining about things…that’s what they go to our shows for. So let me just say, this news was exactly what I needed. Faith restored.
For a few years now, I’ve taken the “keep your head down, keep your nose to the grindstone, do good work and someone will notice” approach to my work. The people at Mountain Stage, one of the most respected radio shows produced, have noticed. I could not be more honored or excited.
My friends Ellis Delaney and Mike Himebaugh are also in the running with me. Does this discourage me? Nope, I can’t get the smile off my face. Not only am I in, I’m in with friends. It’s sweet x3. I opened up my email before Himebaugh opened his, so I got to call him and let him know the good news! There was a little more hootin’ and hollerin’. We’re all up against each other and Edie Carey … heaven help us all! To be included with this kind of songwriting talent is humbling and beyond words for me [except all these words here, but you get the idea].
It’s up to the producers of the contest who makes it out of the regional round, so that is out of our hands. But the contest also has a “People’s Choice” round. If you feel inclined, I ask you to check us all out, and vote with your heart. Listen to my new song, “That Was Love”. It’s my new favorite song. The regional finalist with the most votes is selected as our ”People’s Choice” finalist and gets to advance to the live performance finals competition in New York City on October 20, 2011 at the World Financial Center’s Winter Garden.
My friend Dave Poyzer, an amazing talent, shot the “That Was Love” video for me on a moment’s notice. We got up at 4:00 AM to catch a sunrise. I think we got it (the chirping crickets were a bonus)!
Thanks for reading. Here’s the link:
http://www.newsong-music.com/contest/regional-round-voting/midwest/#marymcadams
Big love from a very happy Mary!
