Semifinalists
UNSUNG HEROES by Karla Hester, Plano, TX
J 1 Great emotional impact, appeal and truth. Excellent rhyme scheme and phrasing. Very good hook and originality in dealing with a subject that many people think about.
J 2 Nice phrasing, imagery and rhythmic cadence. Good song!!
LAST CHANCE TO DANCE IN TEXAS by Rio King, Plano, Tx
J 1 Fun and original story song about a favorite pastime in Texas.
J 2 Good song! I want to go to see this place!!!
WHERE ARE MY KEYS by Mike Hyden, Ralston, NE
J1 Good ols song about drinking but title should be "Where's My Keys?"
J2 Nice imagery, phrasing and rhythm.
COUNTRY CHRISTMAS EVE by George Pucini, Las Vegas
J1 It's hard to write a good Christmas song but this one works.
J2 Good imagery
DRAW THE LINE by James DeBorde, Bluefield, VA
J2 Great song!! Good use of imagery, rhythm and cadence.
A GIRL NEEDS HER MAMA THEN by Andrew Moore, Lansing, MI
J2 Interesting subject. Nice imagery and phrasing. I'm not sure about the word "blaspheme" in verse 1 though
THE OLD COWBOY by Charlie Scudder, Holt MO
J2 Good song….needs a bridge. Good imagery and rhyme
LITTLE BOY IN CHURCH by Harry Hewlett, Dallas, Tx
J2 Good use of imagery, form & rhythm except 2nd line in verse 2 needs to be shorter.
PIECES OF MIRROR by Doug Spears, Orlando FL
J2 Nice cadence & imagery;I would not end both verse & chorus with hook/title…save it for chorus.
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR by Carmen Logan, Lancaster, KY
J2 Like the story…good song.
THE BRIDGE by Eva Stoneroad, Fellsmire, FL
J2 Make chorus longer and end it with hook/title.
Winners
1st Place
UNSUNG HEROES by Karla Hester, Plano, TX
He looks in the mirror, but stares into space.
Time’s taken its toll on his worn weathered face.
The medals once honored now decorate the floor,
And he cannot remember just what he fought for.
So I’m singing for the unsung heroes, the people of every day.
Yeah, I’m singing for the unsung heroes, for those who aren’t here today.
She looks in the mirror, but stares into space.
Time hasn’t been kind to her tired, broken face.
Alone with four kids, the wolves scratch at her door.
She looks at her children, they’re worth fighting for.
So I’m singing for the unsung heroes, the people of every day.
Yeah, I’m singing for the unsung heroes, for those who kiss tears away.
So stand up for those who cannot stand, look out for those who can’t see.
Speak out for those not speaking, be both the words and the melody.
You be the hero, let your voice ring, you be the one to stand and sing.
So I’m singing for the unsung heroes, the people of every day.
I’m singing for the unsung heroes, for kids dreaming futures today.
She looks at her student, he’s not making the grade.
She sees the frustration on his hard working face.
She feels like they’ve failed him, but that makes her give more.
She knows that his future is worth fighting for.
So I’m singing for the unsung heroes, the people of every day.
Yeah, I’m singing for the unsung heroes, for those changing lives today.
So I’m singing for the unsung heroes, YOU people of every day.
Yeah, I’m singing for YOU unsung heroes, for YOU who give hope today.
For YOU are our hope….today.
2nd Place
LAST CHANCE TO DANCE IN TEXAS by Rio King, Plano, Tx
Verse1 Ramblin around on the back roads
Out near the Texas state line
Drove up on a weathered old beer joint
With a faded, hand-painted sign (That read)
Chorus1 Last chance to dance in Texas
Hear the fiddler play the Bandera Waltz
See the big record star, playin' guitar
Singin' of love won and lost
Don't miss his solid gold record
Hangin' right there on the wall, (It's the)
Last chance to dance in Texas
At the Last Chance Dance Hall
Verse2 Stepped in the dim, empty barroom
And asked the old man for a beer
I said if you don't mind me askin'
Tell me how did you wind up out here (He said)
Chorus2 The last dance we played in Texas
My wife sang the "I've Had It Waltz"
Said take your guitar, you big record star
Your booze and your fame and get lost
I begged her, "Forgive my poor record."
She said, "It's a borderline call.
It's your last chance dance in Texas
At the Last Chance Dance Hall."
Verse3 Too many years in the bottle,
Ended in this parkin' lot
We stayed and we played 'til we paid for the place
Now it's all that we've got
Chorus3 It's the last chance to dance in Texas
Where my wife fiddles "Bandera Waltz"
And the son of the star plays a red-hot guitar
And the daughter-in-law is the boss
Somewhere there's a tarnished gold record
I think it's in the last Women's stall
It's the last chance to dance in Texas
At the Last Chance Dance Hall
Verse4 Next time you're out on the border
And slide through the crowd for a beer
Just ask the first pretty lady
Can a cowboy get a dance around here
Chorus4 It's the last chance to dance in Texas
Where the fiddler plays the "Bandera Waltz"
See the young record star, pick a red hot guitar
And you two-step 'til your troubles get lost
In a booth in the back the old couple
Smile every time they recall
Their last chance dance in Texas
At the Last Chance Dance Hall
Outro It's the last chance to dance in Texas
At the Last Chance Dance Hall
3rd Place
WHERE ARE MY KEYS by Mike Hyden, Ralston, NE
VERSE 1
She said to go, in Idaho
She said at least we tried
She needed space, it was her place
So I thought I'd take a ride
It wasn't far, I found a bar, a temporary friend
No clue on what to do or where it would end
VERSE 2
With time to kill, I drank until
The day turned into night
I had my fill, but kept on still
I went down without a fight
In such a blur, I wasn't sure of anything but that
My fate's to leave this state and never look back
CHORUS:
Where are my car keys
Where’s my car
Well I'm absolutely positive
They might be at this bar
Her memory and my Mercury
Have driven me this far
Where are my car keys
Where’s my car
VERSE 3
I had to try to drink 'em dry
From Boise to Cheyenne
There is no worse a poor man's curse
Than to be without a plan
Hit every dive, I-25, from there to Santa Fe
Last call for alcohol, I'd call it a day
REPEAT CHORUS
BRIDGE:
I can't recall the day, the time
Of when I crossed the Texas line
Fort Worth's as good a place as I'll ever find
For now I think I'll settle here
It’s all becoming much too clear
That I'll never, ever drive her out of my mind
REPEAT CHORUS
Honorable Mention
COUNTRY CHRISTMAS EVE by George Pucini, Las Vegas, NV
Snuggled side by side -
Sleigh-ride thru the snow -
Caroling as we go -
on A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS EVE...
Snowmen that we meet
Wave as we go by -
Wink a charcoal eye -
on A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS EVE...
Candle light thru windows
Flick'ring on the snow -
Up above a Christmas moon
To guide us as we go
Down snow-covered lanes -
Gliding thru the night...
Nobody else in sight
on A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS EVE...
2nd Bridge
My head on your shoulder -
Your hand holding mine...
If I steal a kiss or two
I know you wouldn't mind...
Such a lucky me
Being here with you -
Nothing I'd rather do -
on A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS EVE...
CODA
Later on I'll hold you,
Warming by a fire...
You and me on A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS EVE...
You and me on A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS EVE...
You and me on A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS EVE...
(Fade)...
