Warren North       10/28/2011 6:00 PM

Can't wait for the contest this year! We got some new tunes we are are really excited to play for everyone! Submitted By: Warren North

Blake Dannen      10/21/2011 2:29 PM

We've added a schedule of events for each night - showing guest performers and the interactive giveaways for the audience. It's at the bottom of the press release on the Contest page. Go looky! Submitted By: Blake Dannen

Blake Dannen      10/20/2011 4:01 PM

We have arranged a fun Raffle Night for the audience to win some stuff! Ain't THAT a switch! haha. Come out on Nov. 15th fand grab a ticket for FREE random drawings. You could win an excursion with Racing Limos Of the Lehigh Valley and free Awards Ceremony tickets and CDs from the Lehigh Valley Music Awards! (The LVMA Awards Ceremony is on Dec. 4th and is unrelated to our events.) We might have more goodies for you by Nov. 15th....but you gotta be in attendance to win! Submitted By: Blake Dannen

Blake Dannen      10/14/2011 3:06 PM

In addition to the great prize sponsors that are listed on the CONTEST tab, we have some tremendous local businesses that are sponsoring this year's events and supporting local music. Thank you to: Racing Limos of the Lehigh Valley www.racinglimosoflvp.com. Kunsman Roofing & Siding www.theoriginalkunsmanroofing.net Submitted By: Blake Dannen

gloria      10/14/2011 1:44 AM

please don"t hesitate to ask if you would like me to do anything for you..thanks, gloria Submitted By: gloria

Blake Dannen      9/14/2011 2:26 PM

oh, and you can interact at www.facebook.com/LVacousticcontest, too. Submitted By: Blake Dannen

Blake Dannen      9/14/2011 2:24 PM

We've starting updating this site with the 2011 contest info! Check the CONTEST tab for dates and location. Prize and sponsor info will be updated soon. Most of your technical questions about how the contest works can be answered on the OFFICIAL RULES tab, but if you have additional questions please post them here or email ricky@rickybell.com. If you're interested in sponsoring the contest please email blakedannen@yahoo.com. Submitted By: Blake Dannen

Ricky Bell      11/23/2010 1:14 PM

@Chris - It's very true that instrumentalists have a harder time when it comes to scoring with our judges. I don't think that the rules need to be adjusted. It's open to any kind of music. Last year, a gentleman by the name of Wayne Scott Farley qualified and did well in the finals. He was an instrumental guitarist. His songs were great and he was super talented. Submitted By: Ricky Bell

Chris      11/23/2010 12:37 PM

In future years if you are going to enter the contest I think that someone in your act should sing. Nothing wrong with instrumentalist, but there are only so many spots available to sign up per week and acts that do have a vocalist get turned away. I understand it's first come first serve for sign ups but I think the rules should be adjusted that someone within the act needs to sing. Otherwise there may be a handful of people show up that can play guitar but don't write their own songs or sing. Think of it this way if 5 out of 10 acts each week only did acoustic music with no vocals would the crowds come out let alone stay the night? Not knocking anyone's talent but the rules should be adjusted for next year. Submitted By: Chris

Paulie Knakk      11/11/2010 7:42 PM

Kristina! Thank you so much! Hopefully I will see you at the finals. I am VERY excited to play 45 minutes on that stage. Submitted By: Paulie Knakk

Kristina      11/10/2010 3:02 PM

OMG...the judges knew talent when they saw it in that guy Paulie! He sooo deserved to win... I luv his vocals. Can't wait to see him again! Submitted By: Kristina

CANTATICA      11/5/2010 12:43 PM

FYI - Acoustic Performers and Audiences - MOIRA SMILEY & VOCO, nationally-acclaimed, all-female, acoustic group, moira smiley & VOCO (www.moirasmiley.com) will perform its unique blend of Eastern European/Early American folk arrangements and original, contemporary compositions including a cappella songs and vocal works in combination with cello, banjo, accord...ion, tambourine and body percussion. Featuring Emily Eagen, two-time, International Whistling Competition winner. Admission: $15. Reservations: 484-951-5113 or info@cantatica.org. A special benefit concert hosted by CANTATICA (www.cantatica.org), Allentown, PA. Submitted By: CANTATICA

Martha      11/3/2010 1:09 AM

I heard Mouths of Babes rock the house tonight. Hats off to Mouths of Babes. We are pulling for you. Great singers. Submitted By: Martha

Tim and Jules      12/3/2009 5:37 PM

Hey to all involved. Here's to you! Thanks for the opportunity to play! Submitted By: Tim and Jules

ian bruce      11/29/2009 7:57 PM

wish i could be there, one of the few places i would like to be, sounds like an interesting & talented group of musicians. have a great show you all. Submitted By: ian bruce

Kevin Littleton      11/28/2009 4:56 PM

Ricky or Blake, i see that Neighbor Poem used an electric bass for their performance in week 3. i was wondering if there was any special equipment they used to allow this. i am interested because i would prefer to use an electric bass for the finals as my acoustic is in pretty bad shape. please let me know. thank you. -bassist of Ear Ecstasy Submitted By: Kevin Littleton

Blake      11/17/2009 2:15 PM

Ian, thanks for the good comments. I think if the event continues to get bigger we might do that. For now, we want to make sure the venue and the acts have a great night with lots of bodies in attendance. It's not guaranteed yet, even though the Contest gets bigger each year. We're on our way! Take me up on the offer to come out and put flyers on the tables promoting the LVMAs. We've got two Mondays left! Submitted By: Blake

Matt Greenwalt      11/10/2009 5:58 PM

Ricky, at your leisure, any way you could email me the songs I played? No hurry. Not too big a deal. Just wondering. MattJG@temple.edu Submitted By: Matt Greenwalt

Ricky Bell      11/10/2009 4:12 PM

Ian... or you could get your tail lights fixed and show up at the event... but your way sounds easier. Yea Blake, it was a great night last night. We had a lot of fun and there was tremendous talent on that stage. I hope some of the acts try again next week. Submitted By: Ricky Bell

ian bruce      11/10/2009 1:37 PM

re: webcasting bright blake bro webcasting would enhance the event, making it a global opp. i did a webcast in 1997 at the cyber cafe (gone into the void) in allentown. we had 20 acts and even though lots of people with computers couldn't see it... enough did to say it was way cool. it's free promotion for the club, performers & event. i can't make it there but i would watch via the web. plus you could interview the people who come out and do shout outs. mini interviews...free commercials for the sponsors. anyway, great prize package and structure. bright musical ways, ian the being Submitted By: ian bruce

Blake Dannen      11/10/2009 12:26 PM

The first week we had a few open performer slots and last night we had a full slate of 10 plus the 2 alternate slots. Go figure. It's a simple sign-up system, so it changes from week to week. To performers who were shut out, all we can suggest is to come out BEFORE the sign-up sheet hits the table at 7pm and read the rules before leaving the house. When we're fully-booked with 10+ acts, Ricky is great about keeping things moving along so we can get you on stage. The name of the contest includes the words LEHIGH VALLEY, so if you drive 2 hours to take part, you do it at your own risk. :-) It was cool to see a jam-packed night last night! This is YOUR event. Submitted By: Blake Dannen

Blake Dannen      11/4/2009 10:54 AM

Re: webcasting: Well, the point is to get music fans and musicians to COME OUT and make the events attendance successes for the performers on stage, our prize sponsors, and the venue that is graciously hosting us or the event will cease to exist. The reality is that local live music venues are businesses. They care about supporting the local music scene TO A POINT. They need to see that people are buying food and drinks or there won't be a Finals, let alone future years of the contest. It's really up to local music fans. Yes, that's a CALL TO ACTION, people! Submitted By: Blake Dannen

Blake Dannen      11/4/2009 10:47 AM

Photos from Week 1 this past Monday are now posted on myspace.com/LVacousticcontest. Check 'em out! Higher-quality versions are coming soon to this website. This year we have professional photography courtesy of Kenn Miller. Thanks, Kenn! Performers: You are certainly free to download these photos for your own use as another benefit of your participation in the Contest. Kenn is donating his time and services to all of us, so please put the following credit on EVERY photo you use: "Kenn Miller Photography - KGMiller42@gmail.com" Submitted By: Blake Dannen

Baron Von Chickenpants      11/2/2009 1:25 PM

Mork calling Orson...come in Orson! Lift off is tonight!! BE THERE!! Submitted By: Baron Von Chickenpants

ian bruce      10/30/2009 8:22 PM

good luck to all the performers, wish i could be there. last year i couldn't make it as a judge, had a cold from the very cold here on the mountain, brake & tail lights were gone... any chance you can webcast future shows? Submitted By: ian bruce

Blake Dannen      10/30/2009 4:47 PM

Oh, we had a few additions to the PRIZES, too! Check the "Contest" tab again if you haven't lately.... Submitted By: Blake Dannen

Blake Dannen      10/30/2009 4:44 PM

As we ramp up to the start of this year's Contest, direct all of those gear/technical questions to our host and producer Ricky (after you've read the Official Rules). Any press and sponsorship inquiries can go to me! Speaking of which, check out Exposed and Pulse Weekly this week for coverage. Exposed even interviewed our boy Ricky. We're only 3 days away from Week 1! Submitted By: Blake Dannen

Ricky Bell      10/30/2009 1:38 PM

Official word on electric basses: Sure. The judges will not deduct any score for electric basses. We realize upright basses and acoustic basses are hard to come by. See you Monday! Submitted By: Ricky Bell

Tynan Hooker-Haring      10/29/2009 1:59 PM

What's the word on the electric bass guitar? My upright is lacking a pickup and would limit the arrangements that I do with my group. Any pointers on whether that instrument is considered in or out? Submitted By: Tynan Hooker-Haring

Scott McDonald      10/29/2009 1:23 PM

Space Monkey 2009!!! Submitted By: Scott McDonald

Liz Winchester      10/9/2009 9:38 PM

Hey Lehigh Valley musicians (& music lovers) - Check out one of the best contests going! The prizes completely rock (thanks to the awesome sponsors), the crowd loves to cheer you on, and the competition makes you perform your best, so . . . come out and play with us! See you there :-) Submitted By: Liz Winchester

Blake Dannen      9/22/2009 1:18 PM

Yes! The details are now posted with about 6 weeks til kickoff. Each year we've been able to ramp up the prizes for you - this year over $2,000 in cash and prizes. It's also at an exciting new spot at Mezza Luna in Allentown. You'll start seeing this event being promoted by supporters of the LV music scene in local press and on local radio. Go check all of the information and rules on this website and let us know your feedback! Submitted By: Blake Dannen

Ricky Bell      9/21/2009 9:23 AM

Welcome to the new website! Here is where you can post comments or questions for the Host or Judges. Submitted By: Ricky Bell