COTTAGE GROVE – The lights hit the stage at the Axe and Fiddle at 657 E. Main St. The audience hushes in the crowded bar. Anticipation builds. A talented performer gives it everything. Will this be the winner?
Emerging musicians and performers have the opportunity to participate in a contest with over $10,000 in cash and prizes at the Tappin’ Talent search. Musicians, in particular, have the chance to win a recording, editing, mixing, and mastering package valued at $2,500 at 1988 Entertainment’s studio in Bend.
Cottage Grove resident Jennifer Davis has been in the marketing and event production business for 30 years. She owns Breaking Free Media, a Grove-based marketing and event production company founded in 2015, formerly known as Meyer Media.
She is working with Lebanon-based Tallman Brewery, which was the first stop on a five-city event.
Dakota Harris, a 20-year-old college student, was the first-place winner of the competition in Lebanon. He is well-known in the area for his deep singing voice and guitar playing, and can often be found playing music at farmers’ markets, art walks, and local events in the Eugene and Springfield areas. He got his start with Sean’s Music Study at age 14, and then with Kidz Rock, run by MEPAA (Music Education and Performing Artists Association). He now works as a music mentor with MEPAA.
Davis chose Cottage Grove as the second location on the talent search tour because she wanted to help bring more foot traffic to downtown businesses, whose sales have been impacted by the road reconstruction.
“Every single dollar of donations goes into the prizes. We are solely doing this for the passion,” Davis said.
So far, Davis said they have had sword-swallowers, belly dancers, comedians, musicians, and singers.
And there is still time to sign up!
Each entrant must be a solo artist, over 18 years old, register, and need to show up for one of the remaining spotlight dates at Axe and Fiddle (June 25 or July 2), the semifinal (July 16), and the finals night on July 23.
First round contestants
Semifinalist Shilo Drago, a 26-year-old cosmetologist, has been in musicals at Cottage Theatre and Pleasant Hill Community Theatre. Drago has won jazz competitions for her singing and heard about the contest from her friend, Dakota Harris.
Samantha Perez, a 24-year-old Springfield resident who is a self-taught singer, made it into the semi-finals. She sings karaoke locally and enters competitions, utilizing TikTok and Instagram to promote her work.
“Winning the competition would help me make a name for myself so people can finally hear my voice,” she said, adding that prize money would help her buy new sound equipment.
Ben Helliwell, a forester, found out about the competition after his wife signed him up because she wanted him to pursue his passion. He is a singer/songwriter with ambitions to record his music.
Rich McCloud is a singer-songwriter and was a semi-finalist in the competition in Lebanon, and entered the Cottage Grove competition. He said winning would be “another affirmation that people are really digging what you are doing.” The prize money would help him invest back into the music, facilitate collaboration, and create new opportunities. “People always loved my music, but being a stay-at-home father of five – that’s my main focus,” he said.
Sarah LeComte is a single mom in Corvallis who works in the medical field with adults with intellectual disabilities. In addition to her job, she dedicates 15 to 20 hours a week to her music.
Music has been a fun side hustle, and she said that this contest presents an opportunity to win prize money, provide a chance to record, boost her motivation, and help her connect with other people in the industry.
Advice from a winner
When asked what advice Harris would give to contestants, he said, “Save your power song for last, but start strong. Be supportive of other contestants as well.”
He advises performers to read the room and be ready to select something else if it isn’t right for the audience. “You are there having fun, entertaining people, and having a good time. It’s all about having fun and connecting with people and the community,” Harris said.
The contest is free to enter. Sign up at tinyurl.com/TappingTalentCG
