THIS MAN ENTERED TO WIN!

Submit a state song, and one of 50 prizes could be yours!

[Admit it, most state songs are dull.]

Dennis McDonough, a musician with too many aliases to list here, was born and has lived his whole life in “The Great Garden State” of New Jersey, and often writes about his home—the good, bad and occasionally the forgotten. His “I’m From New Jersey, Too” at one point fell into that last category.

The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF), established in 1975 and now held on the great lawn of Rutgers University, features an annual Singer-Songwriter Showcase, which required three original works, which—preferably—mention people, places or things in or from New Jersey.

McDonough’s experience, as he told Elmore: “It’s still unclear whether or not anyone at the NJFF ever processed my submission or listened to (and rejected!) any of my songs since my entry fee check has yet to be cashed or deposited. (Hence my rather lengthy, sad-but-true introduction whenever I sing it live.)”

Happily, Elmore Magazine’s 

STATE SONG CONTEST

has no entry fee!

Simply submit a video or mp3 of a US-state-oriented song (keep it clean) to LIVE@ElmoreMagazine.com with “State Song” in the subject line.

Include your full contact information (name, email & snailmail addresses and phone #, for Elmore’s use only), a photo of you (keep that clean, too), a paragraph or two about the song’s origins, and a bit about yourself.* Winners will have their songs submitted to that state’s Governor.

So, for our second entry: Heeere’s Dennis!

McDonough told Elmore: “Some people think ‘I’m From New Jersey Too!’ is a parody of John Gorka’s song ‘I’m From New Jersey,’ but it’s not. John’s seen the video, told me that he likes my song, and said that he won’t be claiming any share of the royalties or suing me for copyright infringement.”

This was not McDonough’s first, nor is it his only, New Jersey-centric song, but it may be the most educational. “I’ve been appearing in the guise of my alter egomaniac ‘Bruuuce Holsteen: The Bovine Ambassador of New Jersey’ and singing the love song ‘Jersey Cow!’ for many years. I perform my Halloween song ‘Jersey Ghoul’ as Bruce Frankensteen & The Fun Ghouls, and my folkin’-rocker, ‘Jersey Boy’ (aka ‘Garden State Of Mine’) includes the catchy chorus: ‘We’re livin’ in the Garden State. Don’t mind the traffic and the taxes and the toxic waste!’ written for our former Governor, fracker Chris Christie.”

Hear Love Love‘s entry for

Rhode Island State Song HERE

The best entries from each state will be submitted to that state’s Governor with a recommendation that it be adopted as the new state song. Elmore makes no guarantees that he or she will do as they are told.

*Elmore reserves the right to post your song and edit your written copy.

Submit NOW! (or soon)