To this and any contest. Put the fee and the prize up front, don't make any unquantifiable claims and outline your judging methods...all in easily accessible places...and I have no problem with you.

Personally, the only two music contests I've ever entered were the Chicago Folksining Contest in 1968 (first place, the second year's first place was Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon) and last year's JPF lyric contest (no place). Neither had a fee and both were connected to organizations with which I've had a relationship. I'm just not a contestant. Making money at music is hard enough and takes enough time, I can't justify the time and/or money it takes to enter a contest. I have nothing against them, though.

For some folk, contests are great. You can, for example, tell your Mom, "See, I'm not wasting my time with this music stuff...look at this nice award...now can I borrow enough money to buy a frame?" (Just kidding, there's a place for contests and contestants.)

So keep it up front, don't argue with Brian (otherwise known as "The Hand That Feeds You.") Run a clean contest, and keep in touch.

All the Best,
Mike

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You have to practice improvisation. -Art Tatum

Mike Dunbar Music

You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music