The Anthem 1: Hooks And Nooks
The appliance entrance was huge. An impressive first impression of a retail experience. The signs out front directed those interested in 'seeing what all the excitement is about' to the far east front doors. The signs were helpful. The Nebraska Furniture Mart is holding a contest to identify its anthem. It's being facilitated through their 4 urban/suburban locations: Omaha, Kansas City, Des Moines, and Dallas. I was there to attend the Dallas area Launch Party/Packet Pickup, carefully following the instructions from their website. The song was written already, during lunch the day prior. After researching the story of the company and its culture, the song came easy. With an almost 100 year old motto that serves as a nice chorus, and a story worthy of modern capitalistic folklore, it was really a fastball right down the middle.
Sell Cheap, Tell The Truth is immediately an anthem in its own category, melodic marketing velcro that reinforces value and trust, a lyrical lesson of continuing evolution and reality of a vision. Mrs. B would, and will, likely dig the song, for the dearly departed hear our music. It is true. Now the place is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffet's company. Guess that accounts for the $25k Grand Prize. #NFMTheAnthem. I expect to win.
The packet included 2 stickers, a small note pad, an informational packet, and a medium sized hardcard with important dates and social media encouragements. All had The Anthem logo. Another sticker for the guitar case is always a welcomed site, almost regardless of the sticker, I was intrigued further. The packet was picked up at a table full of chips and dips, the smell of queso hovered. Two friendly employees asked me if I needed a packet and gave me one when I answered 'yes'. That was it, only shoppers were around, perhaps I was expecting something different. There was a guy playing guitar and singing for tips on a stage set up under a huge Customer Service sign, seemed like it was a regular gig for him. I wondered if he was entering the contest. Seth Johnston was his name, he sat on a cajon and had a sign indicating he could play weddings and parties. He had cards. His tip jar was busting with ones, a few fives, and even a twenty. He wore boots. He could be some competition, but I'm confident in my song, especially after reading the Keys To Winning on page 3 of the Informational Packet:
1. Compose a unique lyrical piece, but not a jingle.
2. Capture the feeling of home.
3. Find inspiration in our history.
Check, check, check. Page 4 got more official, even wording that allows a cancellation of the entire contest if it's a bust. Eligibility requirements, dates and deadlines, participation requirements, submission guidelines, initial judging, public voting, appearance requirements, licensing, publicity releases, competition modification possibilities, and even a conflict resolution clause involving an arbitration process on the 12th and final page. Down for it all.
Thinking now about the song recording and feel like Red Headed Stranger vibe could work good. Willie's raw and rough classic Columbia Records initially thought was only a demo tape. It was released, as was, in 1975. Less being more somehow. Cheap for sure, but not in a trashy way, with an authentic sound, with hooks and nooks. Will articulate an easy natural voice, easy on the twang, perhaps a harmonica part. Percussive picking style, will go solo on this one. Patio recording for sure, on the patio furniture I got from Nebraska Furniture Mart.