First Place Lyric Winner - "God or something"
2021 Great American Song Contest
Co-written with Eric Ramsey
Grand prize (2nd place) at DSA
"Gone Gone Gone"
"Gone Gone Gone" received the second-place Grand Prize Award in this year's Dallas Songwriters Association song contest
Digging In The Ruins of Our Age With Michael R.J. Roth
Northern Spirit Radio's Mark Helpsmeet Digs Deep
Michael R. J. Roth writes his songs on the deep end of the meaning pool, and his tone has the same depth, so that some have called him a cool dark troubadour. His voice ranges, sometimes recalling the tones of a Gordon Lightfoot or a Johnny Cash, and sometimes a bit of John Prine. But what's especially wonderful is how after retirement from a number of professions, including that of a diplomat, Michael launched into full-time music production around 65, and he's put out more than 9 albums to date. After years living & working around the globe (including Cameroon, West Africa) and a lot of time in Washington DC, Michael calls Rio Rancho, NM home.
the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (MASC)
Category Winners Announced
Congratulations!
The judges have made their selections for the 38th annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest sponsored by the Songwriters’ Association of Washington. I am happy to inform you that your songs received the following awards:
God or Something was chosen for the Finalist award for the Lyrics Only category
Broken Mirror was chosen for the Honorable Mention award for the Lyrics Only category
"Homeless Sky" honorable mention in USA Songwriting contest
"Crucifyingly good," someone once said.
"Homeless Sky" was also a finalist in the Great American Song Contest, honorable mention in the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, third place in the Dallas Songwriters Association lyric contest, finalist in the Austin Songwriters Group and received Special Mention in the UK Songwriting Contest. "Homeless Sky" is included in Hope 4 Restoration's Top 100 list of songs about homelessness.
One of the most heartwarming responses was from a song contest judge: "This song is exceptional on so many levels. The melancholy premise is deeply felt and engagingly communicated. The title hook is original & memorable. Melodic structure fits perfectly the emotional tone of the song. It’s a pleasure to hear this impressive quality of songwriting. Great job - beautiful song! You are an exceptional songwriter."
Get off my lawn! now on Facebook
Join the movement. Because it's better to be over the hill than under it.
Get off my lawn!
A new showcase for old musicians
Get Off My Lawn! grew out of a peer session at the Midwest Folk Alliance (FARM), where I proposed an idea that has taken root and re-appeared in the Northeast Folk Alliance (NERFA) this week. Sort of like the Walking Dead armed with guitars.
Two semifinalists in Dallas
Just announced
The Dallas Songwriters Association has announced its semifinalists in its annual song contest. I was pleased that two songs made the list. "Gone Gone Gone" (co-written with Eric Ramsey) and "The Weight of a Dream" (co-written with Harri Wolf) are two new songs that I'm excited about.
"The Ruins of our age"
"A masterful songwriter" - Pamela Philips Oland
"For a Song"
“Really good traditional folk lyricism. I was in from the first line.”
In your tie-dye shirt and your dangling beads
Like your teardrops he left in the dirt
You hung out your pain on guitar strings
With a voice that would crack in the places that hurt
"Blasphemous Kiss"
A heartbreaking lament
"So here's to the times you betrayed me, yes, every last beautiful, blasphemous kiss"