BATTLE OF THE BANDS XIX RESULTS and MAY IWSG

Today is a busy day. It’s time for my RESULTS post for BOTB XIX and it’s IWSG day.

Let’s do BOTB Results first, shall we?

Seems poor ole Leon Russell took a beating in this one. His version was compared to a lounge act, elevator music, and ‘gasp’ dentist office music (I want the name of your dentist). I’ll admit that these two version really weren’t all that different. The better contests are the ones that really strike a different note, sometimes they don’t even seem like the same song. Anyway…

In the end I’m gonna give my vote to Leon. I really enjoy his style; that is if you think not really having a definitive style (other than his good ole boy voice) is a style. You always know when it’s Leon singing, but as far as a particular style, it’s my opinion that Leon just keeps on reinventing himself. I was fortunate enough to see him in person at a small intimate venue while I lived in Idaho. Great show, even if he was and ‘old guy’ now, with a physical appearance that Santa Clause could envy.

The final tally including my vote:

               

                Danny O’Keefe            9 votes

                Leon Russell               5 votes

Remember a comment on this post gives you one more entry into the May BOTB contest (see contest rules at the end of this post). Before you read any farther (or should that be further) click on over to Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends and leave a comment for Mr. McCarthy after his ‘VOTE COMMENT’. Then check out all the other participants and see what their results were.

For my IWSG post this month I’ve been scouring YouTube for an ad I’ve seen on TV. It’s about optimism. I figure if you’re an Insecure Writer that is something you can use. Can’t find the ad I’m looking for so I’ll just give you my basic ‘two cents’.

The ad I'm talking about is the one with the little guy who drags a bucket of balls up to the backstop. He then proclaims 'I'm the greatest batter in the world' and proceeds to strike out THREE TIMES. A look of surprise crosses his face and he shouts 'I'm the greatest pitcher in the world'. Now that's some OPTIMISM.

I try to live by the motto 'Attitude is Everything'. If you believe that, and I do, you might as well try to have a good one.

My advice today to all of your Insecure Writers out there is work on a positive attitude. It will show through in your writing. Write to please yourself and PLEASE break at least one rule.

Now if you want some really good advice, check out the other participants in this monthly endeavor by clicking over to the site of the originator Alex J. Cavanaugh. Click on the link at the top for the list of participants While your there, thank Alex, and all those who help each month to put this group together.

Contest Rules and Prized for May BOTB

Here’s how it’s gonna work. Everyone who comments will have up to eight possible entries. Vote once here at Far Away Series (FAS) on May 1 and May 15 on each BATTLE OF THE BANDS post and once at F-FFF on May 1 and May 15 on each BATTLE OF THE BANDS post. Then come back on the 7^th and 21^st and leave a comment here on Far Away Series in my BATTLE OF THE BANDS RESULTS POST and return to Mr. McCarthy’s original BATTLE OF THE BANDS POST and leave a comment after ‘HIS OWN VOTE’ HAS BEEN RECORDED AND THE WINNER ANNOUNCED. If you VOTE at each site you will receive four (4) entries into the contest AND if you return and comment at (FAS) RESULTS post and comment at F-FFF (Mr. McCarthy’s site) after his “VOTE’ comment you will receive another four (4) entries for a possible total of eight (8) entries = 8 chances to win. On May 31^st, we will drop all of the entries into a hat and draw one.  The winner will be announced on June 1, 2014 at BATTLE OF THE BANDS XXI.

What can you win? After careful consideration it has been decided that we will be giving away an all-expenses paid vacation to spend either a week in lovely Phoenix, AZ or Lake Tahoe, NV with the your respective hosts Far Away Eyes or Stephen T. McCarthy    - JUST KIDDING!!! Seriously now, we will be giving away a CD of your choice, as long as it contains one of the songs featured on any BATTLE OF THE BANDS posted at Far Away Series or Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends. (Super expensive imports or Boxed Sets NOT included.) To make it even more interesting and to honor the origination of BATTLE OF THE BANDS you may go all the way back to that first BATTLE on August 1, 2013 to make your selection.

KEEP IN MIND this contest will only run for the month of MAY and votes will ONLY be counted from FAR AWAY SERIES and FERRET-FACED FASCIST FRIENDS. But, we encourage you to visit and vote at the sites of ALL THE PARTICIPANTS in BATTLE OF THE BANDS (links for other possible participants can be found at F-FFF) cause that’s what makes this such a ‘party’.

I'll expect you back here on May 15th for BATTLE OF THE BANDS XX.