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A cover song contest of lesser-known Motown songs is underway and will award the winner with $25,000 cash.
Detroit’s Masterpiece Sound, a recording studio founded by the late Motown songwriter Sylvia Moy, is hosting a nationwide cover song contest through the end of July.
Musicians nationwide can select one of 10 Motown songs, record themselves covering the song however they choose, and submit the video for a chance to win $25,000. Ten finalists will be picked from the submissions and will compete in in-person auditions, interviews, rehearsals, editing, and mastering in Detroit. Finalists will be given a travel stipend of $1,000 for accommodations on the trip.
Winners of the contest will be selected during a live event at Motor City Casino’s Sound Board theater, with first place receiving $25,000, second receiving $10,000, and third $5,000.
The sister of Sylvia Moy, Celeste Moy, told the Detroit Free Press that the decision to have contestants choose from lesser-known Motown songs was “intentional”.
“Whenever you see the Motown story, it’s always the usual suspects, always the same songs. But those are already standards,” Celeste Moy said. “They’re going to do well.”
“This contest is about the sustainability of other songs written by great songwriters. The purpose is to reintroduce them in different genres to different markets.”
Click here to enter the competition and submit your entry before August 1.
Song List
“Ain’t That Asking for Trouble” (Stevie Wonder)
“Heaven Sent You I Know” (Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston)
“I Was Made to Love Her” (Stevie Wonder)
“I’m Still Loving You” (Kim Weston)
“It’s Got to Be a Miracle” (The Supremes and Four Tops)
“My Baby Loves Me” (Martha & the Vandellas)
“Nothing’s Too Good for My Baby” (Stevie Wonder)
“Which Way Is the Sky” (Four Tops)
“Whole Lot of Shakin’ in My Heart” (Smokey Robinson & the Miracles)
“You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” (Brenda Holloway)