Musical competition

Two from Livingston County remain in songwriting comeptition

Two Livingston County songwriters have survived into Week 3 at The Original Music Competition hosted by Letchworth Pines. They are Len Squires from Avon and Bob Bunce from Groveland.

Squires, a prolific writer of original tunes in many styles, last week sang ‘Rebel Soldier,’ a first person look at the hard life of a Confederate infantryman during the American Civil War; and ‘Remember the Alamo,’ a more light-hearted story-song, not about the historic Spanish mission in San Antonio, but rather about a now-closed drive-in of the same name.

Bunce’s repertoire includes songs like the soft country ballad ‘Come on In’ and the folksy protest song ‘Haliburton Loophole,’ anti-fracking in its sentiments.

Also in the running are songwriter/performers Joel Jordan from Bliss, Bill Fronefield from Palmyra, Tyler Westcot from Buffalo, Mark Grover from Portageville, Rodger Chenelly from Farmington, Bruce Wayne from Rochester and Gina Holsopple from Oswego.

Judges for the second week of competition were Josh Wolcott, Helen Lyons, and Kelly Carson.

Dan McClurg of Warsaw, lead singer of the band Randsomville, was Mcee.

Now in its fifth year, the Original Music Competition is coordinated by Larry Nugent, who commented, “Many unknown singer-songwriters have been writing their music for years, but only family and close friends hear it, maybe around a summer campfire or picnic. If you see a restaurant advertising an open mic night, then you might find some of them there.”

More than a dozen local and regional businesses contributed to the contest as sponsors by supplying prize money. There will be a $1,000 first prize, $400 second prize, $200 third prize and $100 fourth prize.

Each of the surviving contestants will be singing two songs next Friday, April 27, at the Pines. The show starts at 7 pm and it’s free. Call for reservations at 468-2166.