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March 13, 2006
Troy University student to represent Alabama in national songwriting contest
TROY, Ala. – Troy University senior Jay Carlin of Montgomery has been selected as the Alabama state finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
The BMI Foundation-sponsored contest is a national competition for students and recent alumni, ages 15 to 24. Entrants submit their own compositions, original in both, lyrics and instrumentation.
Carlin submitted several songs for the contest in October and was recently notified that his song, “Silver Mustang,” had been selected to represent Alabama on a national level.
“Silver Mustang” evolved from verse chords and lyrics that Carlin began working on about seven years ago. The original title, “Rain,” was changed to “Silver Mustang” following a difficult situation Carlin had in a relationship three years prior.
“It’s basically a tongue-in-cheek description of my relationship with her -- that I felt like I had been taken for a ride in our relationship,” Carlin said. “The imagery describes riding in a car with an out-of-control driver, but is basically referring to figuratively being ‘taken for a ride’ emotionally.”
The results of the songwriting contest will be announced in June. A $10,000 scholarship and two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to winning songwriters.
Carlin first picked up a guitar in the seventh grade but did not become serious about music until his ninth-grade year.
While at Troy University, Carlin said that a music theory class, taught by Carol Franks, has had a huge impact on his songwriting. He also said that he has gained a lot of helpful knowledge through music professors, Dr. John Jinright and Carl Volrath.
“I’m very impressed with his (Jay) songwriting ability,” Dr. Jinright said. “His songs are upbeat and have good commercial potential, but they catch your attention because the sound you hear isn’t a combination of instruments you’re accustomed to hearing.”
Carlin is currently serving as a student teacher in Prattville. He will graduate from TROY in May with a bachelor’s in music education. After graduation, Carlin is hoping to find a job teaching music in Rochester, Mich., where he spent most of his life.
“I would definitely love to be involved in the music industry in some capacity. I think it’s important to be diversified,” Carlin said.
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Contact:
Torie Hardee or Andy Ellis
Troy Office of University Relations
334/670-3196
aellis@troy.edu
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