This will be a short blog entry but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to offer a few thoughts on a cool experience I had last weekend. I participated in the Queen City Songwriters Invitational (QCSI) last Friday and Saturday ( qcsongwriters.com). The Invitational is in its third year but it was my first year as a performer.
I’m not sure how many towns across the U.S. have dubbed themselves “The Queen City” but, in this case, it refers to Spearfish, South Dakota which is our closest town of any size. We knew little about Spearfish when we moved to Wyoming ten years ago but we have come to adore our adopted hometown. The QCSI only deepened that affection.
The QCSI is a two day festival where regional artists are invited to perform their original songs at venues around town. This year there were three establishments that opened their stages for a couple hours on Friday and again on Saturday. Performers are placed in groups of three and each group plays for an hour. Each songwriter plays three or four of his or her original compositions. Cover versions of other people’s songs are not allowed.
I found two things particularly remarkable about the QCSI “rounds” as the hour sessions are called. First, despite Spearfish boasting a population of roughly 12,000 people, there are some very talented songwriters living here in the Black Hills. Second, the number of locals who turned out to listen to music they had never heard before was stunning. Every venue was, literally, packed.
After over forty years of writing songs and performing occasional gigs as well as open mics and song pulls, it was incredibly refreshing to play for a bunch of people who came with no expectation of hearing Wagon Wheel or Sweet Home Alabama or any other hit song. And, they weren’t just there, they listened!
There are lot of special things about Spearfish but the QCSI is a delightful addition. In these often bizarre times, moments of community seem rare and fleeting. Watch for similar events in your area and go listen to your local talent. I suspect you won’t be disappointed. And you might just bless someone who has decided to bare their soul by singing their song for you.
Speaking of original songs, here’s a video that J.C. recently released of one of his own.