By Breanna Anderson

The weekly singer/songwriter competition at Lytle Land and Cattle drew a large crowd to the patio Tuesday night, including several ACU students.

Three students competed this week – Kris Heiderich, Lucas Wright and Kayla Pyper. Megan Marutzky, senior interior design major from Dallas, who did not perform, was a first-timer.

“Surprisingly, the atmosphere – chill, food – delicious and the friends and music – rocking.”

The night started with a six-song set by Lori Simms, the young woman who won last week’s competition with her haunting voice and guitar melodies, while displaying her versatility as a musician by tying in the fiddle during parts of her riffs. Contestants ranged from teenagers to 70-year-old men and anything from a full country band to solo guitar and fiddle pieces.

“I write a little bit of country and gospel,” said contestant Barry Cash from Abilene. “Most of the things I write are just things I’ve experienced. Like the song tonight, Betty Jones’ Cadillac, was about back in the day when my friend Betty Jones would get mad at us for stealing her Cadillac and go smokin’ and drinkin’ in it – back from the good days when I was pretty and could get the women. Now I mostly just write things for the gospel band at my church.”

Tuesday’s prizes consisted of a free one-month membership to Gold’s Gym for all the contestants. The night’s second-place winner received a $25 gift certificate to King Music, and the first-place winner received a cash prize, recording time with Note Studio and the opening slot at next week’s competition. In addition to that, the victor was entered into the final round where musicians will compete for concert tickets, a larger cash prize and more recording time, among other prizes.

The results are determined by crowd voting and a three-person panel of qualified judges. The only requirement for contestants is that the songs played be original. Each songwriter is allowed up to three songs, and contestants are allowed to win twice, just not consecutively. Anybody wanting to enter can sign up between 6 and 7 p.m.; the contest lasts from 7-9 p.m.

The final contest of the year is only one week away, so any ACU musicians who would like the chance for free recording time, cash and other prizes can sign up this coming Tuesday. Anybody who likes free, live music and a fun, relaxing atmosphere should just come to Lytle Land and Cattle on Tuesday, sit back and enjoy.