Shootout Details

WELCOME to the 5th ANNUAL

Cajun Squeezebox Shootout Accordion Championship

Saturday, February 13, 2010

High Noon    Strand Theatre  -  423 N. Main St.    Jennings, La.  (Click for Map & Directions)

(337) 821-5532          www.jeffdavis.org

Each year the Squeezebox Shootout is held the Saturday before Mardi Gras. This year it is scheduled for Saturday, February 13, 2010 at HIGH NOON at the Strand Theatre, located at 423 N. Main Street in the Historic District of beautiful downtown Jennings, Louisiana.  The doors to the Strand will open at 11 A.M. and the competition begins at HIGH NOON.

Thanks to the efforts of our staff and the support of our sponsors, we are gearing up to have a great Squeezebox Shootout this year! Judging by the positive responses we’re getting from the public and the Cajun music industry, this year’s contest promises to be fun and exciting for everyone involved.  Should you have any questions please call (337) 821-5532 or email: polly@cityofjennings.com

CONTEST DETAILS:

The Shootout is an annual musical performance contest open to Cajun (single-row diatonic) accordion players of all ages. The Shootout will be judged by a panel of five judges selected from the Cajun music industry.

The contest is free to enter and open to anyone, but you must REGISTER in order to be allowed to compete.  The deadline to enter is Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.

There are three divisions in the 2010 Shootout:

  • Youth division: Age 13 and under, on or before Feb. 13, 2010
  • Junior division: Age 14-20, on or before Feb. 13, 2010
  • Adult division: Age 21 and older, on or before Feb. 13, 2010

The winners will not only have the reward of being recognized as a world-class champion accordion player. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to the top three contestants in all three divisions!

TROPHIES: The winners will be allowed to keep their trophies as a permanent keepsake of their accomplishment.

CASH PRIZES: The top three contestants in each division will also be awarded CASH prizes:

  • Grand Prize – 1st Place- $500.00 Cash
  • Runner Up – 2nd Place- $100.00 Cash
  • 3rd Place – $50.00 Cash

Questions? Call 337-821-5532 during business hours (M-F 9 a.m. ~ 4 p.m.)

or email:  polly@cityofjennings.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

    Q: What types of people are going to be entering the contest? Will it be professionals, amateurs, or what?
    A: We do not allow registrations from professional accordion players. By “professional,” we mean that they do not have any other job and that playing music is their livelihood. Please note however, that the Shootout is open to people in bands, weekend players, and festival players who have so called day jobs. So the competition will be strong, but you won’t be facing Wayne Toups or Steve Riley.
    Q: Who is entered? How many people are entered?
    A: We will not divulge who has entered or how many competitors there are because we want to keep the contest as fair and on-the-level as possible. Of course, you can rest assured that we would not give out your name to anyone else.
    Q: What are the criteria? How does the judging work?
    A: There will be a panel of five judges and one alternate. Each judge will be from the Cajun music industry. The criteria will be on Cajun music knowledge, fingering style and skill, traditional and modern songs, and on performance and stage presence. Each contestant will have three segments in which to compete. A compulsory skill segment, a random song call and play segment and a free-play segment with optional drum accompaniment.
    Q: What do those segments mean? Please explain?
    A: There will be 3 segments to the Shootout:
    1. Compulsory Skill Segment:
      • Required to solo play a full turn around of at least one waltz and one two-step of your choice. Two minutes are allowed for this segment. You simply call out the song you want to play and then play it-at least through the first turn-around. To succeed in this segment you must display accurate fingering and smooth pulling skills as well as traditional Cajun trills and bass-hand rhythm playing.
    1. Call and Play Segment:
    • This segment evaluates the contestants’ Cajun Music skill and knowledge. The panel will have a numbered list of waltzes and another list of Two Steps. They will roll a dice to acquire a random number and look on their list to find that number. That number is the song they will ask you to play. If you don’t know it, say so. This will deduct from your score, but it’s not the end of the world… * (Better to skip a song then play it badly.) They will require one random waltz and one random two-step. To succeed in this segment you should have a well-rounded knowledge of different Cajun songs and be able to play them on request.
    • (* Junior division contestants will NOT be penalized for skipping songs.)
    1. Free-play Segment:
    • Here you will have two full minutes to impress the judges with your skill, showmanship, and Cajun Accordion musicianship. It’s also the place to be a performer. Cut loose and give them a show. A professional drummer will be on duty to lay down a beat under your direction. (Optional) Then you simply play anything you want to in the time allotted. To succeed in this segment, you must show the ability to play the accordion freely and with abandon. Build some excitement with the crowd and the judges, and of course blow everyone away with your style.
    1. Restrictions:
    • 2009 1st Place winners are not allowed to participate in 2010; they must sit out for one year before they become eligible to
    • re-enter the competition.
    • Laissez les bons temps rouler
    • Let the good times roll!
    • Proudly sponsored by
    • The Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission
    • The City of Jennings

And the Jennings Festival Association