Seymour Herald - Seymour, TN, USA - Sevierville’s 4th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Honors the Songwriting of
Dolly Parton & is Accepting Applications Through April 11.
For the past four years,
Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville, TN, has honored the music legend’s songwriting with the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition. This year, American Idol will also highlight Dolly’s contribution to music on the April 1 st and 2 nd broadcasts. During the April 1 show, contestants will sing a song written by Dolly and on the April 2 elimination show she will perform a song from her new album Backwoods Barbie .
While only the nine remaining finalists on American Idol will have the opportunity to put their spin on Dolly’s songs during those broadcasts, The 4 th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition gives all vocalists a unique opportunity to sing Dolly’s songs in their own style (country, rock, rap, bluegrass, etc.) for cash and prizes including a recording session in Nashville and guitars autographed by Dolly. Contestants may enter in the 13 and up age division or the 12 and under division for this competition and originality is encouraged. The deadline for entry in The Mountain Soul Vocal Competition is April 11.
“In the past three years, we have really seen some unique takes on
Dolly Parton’s songs, and that’s exactly what we’re looking for,” says event coordinator
Amanda Marr. “One contestant from California had a real Doors vibe and sang ‘Bargain Store’. It was very unique and really emphasized how versatile Dolly’s songs are.”
Although the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition has successfully drawn contestants from across the United States in each of its four years, organizers hope that American Idol’s focus on
Dolly Parton’s songwriting will help generate even more interest in The Mountain Soul Vocal Competition.
