With hundreds of dollars awaiting the winners, dozens of songwriters are putting the final touches on their entries to this summer's Third Annual Ruby Allmond Songwriting Contest.

The countdown to this year's contest begins in earnest now because all entries must be postmarked no later than July 1, 2012.

Contest judges will carefully listen to all entries before selecting the top 10 finalists to perform Saturday, August 4 in front of the panel of judges and a live audience in Bonham, Texas.

This year's judges represent Texas A&M University-Commerce, Austin College and Bonham High School.

A first place finish earns $300, plus an opportunity to record the winning song in the studio at the Texas A&M University-Commerce Music Building.

Second place takes home $200 and third place wins $100.

Contestants are required to fill out an entry form and then submit a CD with no more than two original songs, along with two copies of the lyrics.

In two short years, this contest has become a summer highlight for songwriters and the event August 4 provides free entertainment for the entire family.

The contest is a tribute to the late Ruby Allmond, a native of Bailey, Texas, who built a regional reputation as a talented musician, singer and songwriter that culminated when legendary Texas songwriter Cindy Walker introduced Ruby to the Nashville music scene and the artists at RCA Records. As a result, one of country music's most influential singers, Dottie West, would go on to have a top-10 hit in 1968 with "Reno," one of many songs written by Ruby Allmond. Chet Atkins produced the hit song.

For the third year in a row, master of ceremony duties will be performed by one of the most knowledgeable people in the North Texas music scene, Matt Meinke, Chief Announcer and host of Notably Texan at KETR 88.9 FM on the A&M-Commerce campus.

In large part, this contest is the result of the tireless efforts of Dr. Jim Conrad, retired archivist at Texas A&M University-Commerce, and Audra Brock, longtime friend, co-worker and musical collaborator of Ruby Allmond. For an entry form, rules additional information, please visit www.rubyallmond.com

This contest is presented by the Special Collections Dept. of the James E. Gee Library, Texas A&M University-Commerce.

_____