The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism in November announced a songwriting competition called Song of Arkansas that asked musicians from around the country to submit original songs about The Natural State.
Fayetteville’s own Candy Lee posted a video for her entry into the competition earlier today, and if you ask us, it’s going to be hard to beat.
Lee’s original song, titled “Here in Arkansas” also features Fayetteville musician Warren Dietzel on mandolin and bass guitar. The video was shot by local director Aaron Szabo.
Her Facebook post in response to a compliment on the song from a friend sums up her inspiration.
“The sense of community in Fayetteville is amazing,” she wrote. “That and the natural beauty, mixed with awesome bike trails, and support for local art, businesses, and locally grown food make Fayetteville the true gem of Arkansas.”
The competition, judged by the likes of Sun Records artist Sonny Burgess, musician Lawrence Hamilton, director (and Fayetteville native) Jason Moore and others, is open through Feb. 10.
If Lee wins, she’ll receive a $2,000 cash prize, recording studio time, and a chance to perform at the 40th annual Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism in the spring.
Check out the song above. Nice work, Candy.
