Dan Roark

I went last Tuesday to week one of the auditions for the Rusty Weir Songwriting Contest, put on by KHYI and Love and War in Texas in Plano. I went to support friends, and Dallas Songwriters Association (DSA) members, Mr. Troll, and Ian Dickson. All eight songwriters had very good songs to perform.

Host, Brett Dillon, introduced the songwriters two at a time and they would switch off for each song.

Each songwriter played three songs. I arrived just as Brian Lambert and Charley Smith were wrapping up their songs. Byron Dowd and Mr. Troll were the second pairing.

Trace Bivens and Alex Lease switched songs next. Then Ian Dickson and Marina Rocksu ended the auditions with their three songs. The contest, or comradarie, as Dillon put it, is enjoyable on the entertainment side, but tough on the performer and competition side. For the audience, it’s a lot of good music for no cover with good food and beer.

I won’t be going to tonight’s auditions, because of the DSA 2nd Tuesday meeting. But there are excellent songwriters again tonight. Bayliss Laramore will be playing in next week’s auditions.

Peace be with you.