Hi again, Bill:

In your conversations with Iggy and Sue, well respected members of JPF... Cash Awards versus Prizes that open doors were discussed. I believe a young talent will be more interested in advancing his/her career than a one-shot money award... if they truly believe their future lies in making music via songwriting and performing. The obvious benefit to Global Z is to have the money that would otherwise be spent on prizes (perhaps I am thinking big money and at least three awards) could be used for other purposes in getting your operation "off the ground."

Promotion of the contest will require a significant PR team and you must define and describe the qualifications of the participants to the point there is no doubt about what they will perform in order to compete and win. I assume all the songs performed will be original material written by the performers? Then, there is the need to clarify ownership/copyright, etc. of the songs performed by these creators.

After perusing your link, I believe your Organization's Name would need significant PR in explaining the Global Z meaning. Being an older American who lived through the conflicts of WWII as a child, the Korean War as a Teen, the Cold War as a College Student and then a Navy Aircrew Member working on the Pacific Distant Early Warning Line, then finally a young production engineer in a Government Munitions Facility during the Vietnam Conflict... I believe in Peace through strength. That does not diminish my belief that understanding cultures and music from faraway places or next door neighbors can ever be anything but a positive thing. Diversity sounds good but can be a "land mine" if used improperly as far a public perception is concerned. As used by many today, it smacks of "everyone gets a prize" just for showing up... and that is a sure fire way to take your project down the drain.

I read more "Academia" than Musical Accomplishment in your team description and qualifications. Your sponsors to date are not musical household names or brands. Surely there will be more, better known sponsors if "lift" is to be achieved. My points are intended to aid you in evaluating your "game plan" and the need to have an excellent communications team available to educate the public and press about your mission... and to build excitement about the contest.

Finally, "Americana" as a genre is rather broad and includes a number of sub-genres. Tread carefully if the judging is to be objective

Best wishes for success, ----Dave