Roddy Read Memorial Song Writing Award
The Roddy Read Memorial Song Writing Award is an integral part of the Maldon Folk Festival. Both professional and amateur budding songwriters are invited to apply.
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Countdown to Entry Closing
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The winner of this year’s Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Award will receive a guitar and case, courtesy of our generous sponsors, Castlemaine Music Centre’.
This song writing contest commemorates the long-standing contribution to the festival by the late Roddy Read. Roddy was the masterful, witty, humourous, ‘no-nonsense’ MC of the festival concerts for many years.
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Previous Winners
- 2010 Lauren Lee Williams
- 2009 Tony English
- 2008 Geoff McArthur ‘Sparkle and Shine’
- 2007 Rose Bygrave ‘Erarerama’
- 2006 Neil Robertson ‘Celebration’
- 2005 Heidi Hibberd ‘Lyndee I Have Lost Your Number’
- 2004 Mark Cryle ‘Anytime You’d Fall’
- 2003 Caithlin Meave ‘Buddha and Steel’
- 2002 Bruce Watson ‘Dad’s Clothes’
- 2001 Bek Fletcher ‘Fly’
- 2000 Ben Smith ‘One Little Black Face’
- 1999 Graham Dodsworth ‘Excuse Me’
- 1998 Mark Jackson & Cassy Nunan ‘I Just Received’
- 1997 Tiffany Eckhardt ‘On My Knees’
- 1996 Geraldine Hughes ‘Caravans’
- 1995 Enda Kenny ‘My Own Road’
- 1994 Steve Dennis ‘Don’t Cry for Me’
- 1993 Don Cowling ‘The Ordinary Man’
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Sadly, Roddy passed away in 1992 but hopefully this award will in some measure ensure that his contribution to Maldon is not forgotten. Featuring both professional and amateur songwriters, the contest has become a popular event for both performers and patrons.
Entrants submit their songs in advance of the festival for a selection of final songs for judging on the Saturday afternoon. The song judged the winner at this concert will be awarded a guitar, courtesy of our sponsors. They will also receive the unique Roddy Read trophy. In addition, the winner will perform their song at the Sunday Main Stage Concert and will be guaranteed a programmed gig at the following Maldon Folk Festival.
Brace yourselves for the Maldon Folk Festival 2011 and the Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Award now in its 19th year!
Put that insistent riff that's on rotation in your head to good use, drag out the nearly finished lyrics and complete the song that's been percolating for this past twelve months. Or enter 'something you prepared earlier' if you fancy***. Whatever you do songwriters all, shake off the Winter inertia and enter this year's Roddy Read. If performance isn't your niche but you write songs, then nominate someone to play your piece for you. The entry form and conditions of entry are downloadable below.
***Please, please read the conditions and instructions carefully to avoid disappointment and all the very, very best of luck.
How To Enter
Applications open on 1st July 2012.
You will need to submit:
- A completed and signed, official entry form. Download the Roddy Read Award Entry Form.
- A recording of the song, on cassette or CD, (playable on a standard CD player), with only the name of the song written on it as identification. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
- Note: No digital format files entries will be accepted, (eg: MP3 or wma).
- A legible copy of the lyrics in English with only the name of the song written on it as
identification. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
Entry Fee
An entry fee of $15 per song.
Only cash, postal orders or cheques are accepted. (No EFTPOS available.)
Make entry fee payable to: "Maldon Folk Festival"
Application Closing Date
Entries must be received at the address below, before closing date Friday September 7th, 2012.
Send To
Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Contest,
98 St Georges Road,
Northcote VIC 3070
More Information
Further details are available on the downloadable Roddy Read Award Entry Form. If you need any further clarification, contact the contest coordinator, Wendy Ealey, at the Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Contest:
- Phone: (03) 9489 0504
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Email: macnificent@eftel.com.au
2010 Songwriting Awards Report
Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2010 Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Awards and the Minstrel Awards. The breadth of subject matter and the standard of entries was once again quite astonishing and it is always an honour to be entrusted with the songs people submit. The Award is about encouraging people to give themselves permission to pursue their craft, and the final concert celebrates the courage and talent of like minded brave souls in the company of each other and their supporters. As a very wise man once said - well wise may be overstating things a bit but he is at least very clever and demonstrably fertile - "Songwriting competitions do not make careers, but they are a way of galvanising you into action to finish songs and get them 'out there'." And it is very true. It is wonderful to win an award, but it is also wonderful to complete a piece of writing, take the deep breath and share it with your peers.
The 2010 Roddy Read finals concert was a delight with the performance of some terrific songs. The judges were suitably taxed by the onerous task of choosing one song to take away the award, but the general consensus is that they did a fine job. Lauren Lee Williams' song 'Stash your Dreams' won the award. A wonderful tangle of wordplay with a very appealing tune, performed with great spirit and panache. She is definitely going to make the most of her beautiful Tanglewood Super Folk Acoustic Guitar & Case.
Thanks so very much to our judges this year, Bronwyn Calcutt, Mark Cryle and our presiding judge the statesman-like Trevor Shard.
We saw some familiar faces among the line up which made for a very friendly and relaxed vibe on the day. Plenty of laughter and good natured ribbing in an atmosphere of support and good will.
I invite all you musical bards to consider entering the 2011 Roddy Read Award. Entries open July 1 and close September 9, so get scribbling, strumming, humming... however it works for you!
Join the ranks of some very credible songwriters including Bruce Watson, Enda Kenny, Rose Bygrave, Geoff McArthur, Tony English and Tiffany Eckhardt to name a few. Prize includes a guaranteed gig at the following year's Maldon Folk Festival, as well as other incentives and prizes to be announced in the lead up to the Award.
Or if you fancy living dangerously, rollup and register with Dave Miller at the Festival Office on the Saturday morning of the festival to appear in the Minstrel Awards. Original material performed 'unplugged' to a panel of discerning judges. 10 places available, prizes include recording time and a guaranteed gig at the following year's festival. It's a terrific challenge and an excellent performance experience.
Have a great year everyone and see you in the Spring!
Wendy Ealey, Coordinator, Songwriting Contests, Maldon Folk Festival |
Lauren Lee Williams
2010 Winner:
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Also visit Maldon Minstrel Award
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