Posted 10:59 am Saturday, September 05, 2009
Song Of Faith Finalists Meet Judges During Meet-And-Greet
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Song of Faith finalists met their judges at a "meet-and-greet" held at the Tyler Morning Telegraph on Friday prior to the announcement of Best Song for the 2009 Song of Faith contest. Ideas were exchanged, potential projects pitched, and most of all, the contest was finally decided.
Tyler Junior College music major Peyton Neill, 19, grinned his way through the event, not stopping even after his top-tier rated song "Hymn" was not chosen as "Best."
"That doesn't matter," said Neill, whose song was the No. 3 pick of judge Jim Fielder, formerly of Blood, Sweat & Tears. "This has been so great, just to meet all these judges and hear what they have to say. I can't tell you what this means to me."
Song of Faith entrant David Cook agreed.
"Winning "Best" wasn't why I entered the contest," said Cook, who entered his composition "Downstream" that flowed easily into the top songs list. "It was to find a way to get the word out, and this did it in a big way. I'm really grateful for the opportunity."
"Winning "Best" wasn't why I entered the contest," said Cook, who entered his composition "Downstream" that flowed easily into the top songs list. "It was to find a way to get the word out, and this did it in a big way. I'm really grateful for the opportunity."
Britnee Wilson made sure she spoke with Dallas Holm, who picked her song, "Beautiful Offering," as his No. 2 choice.
"I found myself listening to 'Beautiful Offering' just for my own enjoyment, not just to evaluate it," Holm told her. "You did a very good job."
Ms. Wilson's story can be read on Page 2C and her song heard at TylerPaper.com
Emma Ramsey, 19, whose song "Color Me" received second place honors for its "sensitive, evocative images that displayed unusual creativity" came with her mother and three of her siblings who sang with her on the song.
"Thank you so much for having this contest," Miss Ramsey said. "I deeply appreciate all the encouragement you've given us."
Her sentiment was echoed by Lydia Laird, whose haunting, emotive song "My Deliverer" placed third in a wild, close race for the third spot.
"The encouragement to young songwriters was why the Song of Faith was held in the first place," said Patrick Butler, religion editor of the Tyler Morning Telegraph and contest overseer.
"The Song of Faith would not have been possible without the music professionals who so freely offered their time and expertise to strengthen songwriters in our communities," Butler said during the presentation for "Best Song."
"Even after 'Best Song' is announced today, these hardworking judges will be writing evaluations to the many entrants who did not make the top-10 list. Their commitments to us all are outstanding."
The judges were Dallas Holm, Jim Fielder, Rita Baloche, Gregory Swint, Jim Patton, Bill Scott, Jerry Hubbard, Dee Patton, Terry Fancher and Emmy Lou Hubbard. Mrs. Baloche and Scott were called away in mid-contest, and Fielder and Fancher filled the empty spots.
Their service was especially meaningful as contest entries swelled from 28 to 65 on the final day of the contest and judges were swamped, Butler said.
"Jim (Fielder) and Terry graciously agreed to fill in for Bill and Rita, and with little notice and no hesitation," Butler said after the presentations. "I can't speak highly enough of their willingness to jump in to a difficult task at a moment's notice.
He expressed appreciation for all who participated.
"I want to thank all of the Song of Faith entrants, not just those gathered here today," Butler said.
"This contest has been inspiring on a personal level because you can hear in the songs their commitment to genuine faith. Thank you, honestly, to all who entered."
A Song of Faith contest for 2010, with a professional division, is planned, Butler said.
"I challenge all songwriters in East Texas to strive and write a song of faith that will put them in this spot in the summer of 2010," he said, as Darst and Miss Ramsey stood on his right and left. "Get started now and be excellent."
