FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 2/15/09
WV Extension -- Berkeley Springs, WV
Press contact only: Denis Scott --304-258-8400
 
SOCIAL JUSTICE IN SONG
 
BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ----Collaborating with the Back to Our Roots 
celebration, WVU Extension Agent Denis Scott presents a lecture 
highlighting themes of social justice in music on Sunday, February 22 
at 3pm at the Ice House. The lecture, “Sounds of Social Justice,” is 
sponsored by the Morgan County Forum for Arts, Sciences and 
Technologies (FAST.)
 
Scott focuses on the connection between tumultuous societal issues and 
the urge for musical expression. Presidential campaigns are 
particularly popular users of songs to spread a message whether it's 
FDR’s “Happy Days Are Here Again,” or Reagan’s blue-collar anthem, 
“Born in the USA." Average Americans have political themes too, and 
roots music has long been used as a way for common folk to express 
opinions on large scale issues that are otherwise beyond their 
control. The landscape of 20th century popular music is strewn with 
the mix of songwriters and political commentary.
 
Scott's lecture gives a boost to FAST's 2009 Morgan County Song 
Contest which aims at encouraging folks to write the perfect Morgan 
County social justice song. Dr. Bill Lands, president of FAST, 
approached WVU Extension to partner on planning the song contest and 
timing it to coincide with the Back to Our Roots celebration.
 
FAST is offering a $350 first prize, $200 second prize, and $100 third 
prize to the best original "Social Justice" song. The contest is open 
to everyone regardless of age or county of residence. FAST and WVU 
Extension hope that both the lecture and songwriting contest increase 
the appreciation of music for Morgan County residents. The social 
justice theme was selected purposefully as a broad topic that 
encompasses any political perspective. Ideas for songs could include 
conflicting notions of equality, fairness, freedom, and struggle. The 
style of music can range from depression era blues, to country and 
western, or modern, cutting edge hip-hop and rap.
 
Song entries to the contest should be between 2-6 minutes, recorded on 
tape or CD with typed lyrics attached. Multiple entries from 
individuals or teams are allowed, provided that each song is submitted 
separately. A multi-generational panel of Morgan County residents 
will listen to the entries in May, and vote based on originality and 
impact of music and lyrics. Winners are announced Saturday, May 23rd 
at the Roots big band concert. Winning songs may be performed at 
several events following the announcement including the Morgan County 
Fair. Submit all entries to the WVU Cooperative Extension office by 
May 1, 2009.
For more details about the “Sounds of Social Justice” lecture or FAST 
songwriting contest contact the WVU Extension Office at 304-258-8400 
or FAST at wemlands@att.net.
 
Back To Our Roots is staging other songwriting-related events 
including the performance of noted folk singer/songwriter Stephanie 
Corby at the Fairfax Coffee House on Saturday, February 28 at 8pm and 
the songwriting workshop/performance by West Virginia's Colleen 
Anderson on Thursday, March 5 at 7pm at the Ice House. "Between the 
talks, performances and workshops, we're looking for a barrage of 
great Morgan County songs on social justice and other themes," says 
Mary Hott, Executive Director of the Morgan Arts Council, producer of 
the Roots celebration along with the Morgan County Library. "MAC can 
pick up any songs that may not fit FAST's requirements."
 
All MAC-managed Roots events are funded in part by the National 
Endowment for the Arts, WV Commission on the Arts, and local hotel/ 
motel taxes. For a full schedule of Roots events, check online at www.macicehouse.org 
.