Now in its sixth year, the Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest is open to unsigned and emerging Oklahoma songwriters in all genres. The contest winner takes home a $500 cash prize and a spot in the Gypsy Café lineup. The contest is free to enter and open to unsigned Oklahoma songwriters.
Out of 68 song entries, three contest finalists were chosen based on lyrics, melody, originality, form and musicality by a panel of judges including renowned songwriters and industry professionals Samantha Crain, Brad Piccolo, Charlene Ripley and Roger Ray. The judges’ scores of overall performance will be combined with public votes to determine the winners.
The contest winner receives a grand prize of $500 and a spot in the lineup at Bob Childers Gypsy Café.
The People’s Choice Award, decided by online voting, wins $100.
The Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest highlights the spirit of mentorship and musical discovery that have become hallmarks of the Gypsy Café festival. Previous winners of the contest include Ken Pomeroy’s “Sidewalk Song” (2018), Dallas Parker aka Faux Draco’s “Abilities” (2019), Joe Baxter’s “Romeo’s Girl” (2020), Ahna Jennings’ “Hope & Gasoline” (2021) and Branjae’s “Free Facts” (2022).
Branjae
Song: Free Facts
2022 Winner
“Free Facts” by Branjae
“Take it Hard”
by Jamey Hooper
“I Won’t”
by Wyatt Wilson
