Inland artists compete at music festival

TEMECULA VALLEY: Performers from around the world vie to win a $10,000 recording prize.

07:20 AM PDT on Sunday, September 14, 2003

By JAMIE AYALA / The Press-Enterprise


DeeAnn Bradley/The Press-Enterprise

(Breezy), 13, front, performs with dancers (Piper), 13, left; (Bryan), 18, and (Cara), 15, during a music competition as part of the 2003 Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival. The Riverside eighth-grader would have been the youngest finalist, but was disqualified because she didn't bring a band.

TEMECULA - Mary Coppin's finger work on her acoustic guitar, Sterling lead singer Rob Goodchild's yells and Jamila Ford's funky, hip-shaking lyrics excited the crowd Saturday at the Stampede nightclub in Old Town Temecula.

A chance to perform before top music-industry professionals led most of the dozen finalists in the music competition of the 2003 Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival to participate.

A recording prize package was an added bonus, as each took center stage to woo judges with stage presence, musicianship and audience appeal. The recording prize, sponsored by the Fender Museum of Music and the Arts in Corona, is worth about $10,000 and includes 160 hours of studio time and master engineering services.

Judges evaluated the competitors based on musical skill, quality of performance, audience appeal, content and an X-factor, or some unique quality.

Ford, 24, of Ontario said the cost of studio time can add up for someone trying to make it in the business.

"It can get expensive, costing anywhere from $15 to $150 per hour, depending on what kind of recording you want," she said.

"This is a good mix of music," said John McElmeel, who attended the all-day event with his wife, Jennifer. The two said they only wished there were more people to share it with.

Tim Moyer of Murrieta won last year's competition. He said the buzz of the music portion of the festival is getting around.

"There's not really a venue around here to bring out original music and get exposure, and this is definitely a place to find fresh new music," he said.

More than 100 musical artists from around the world submitted entries in the third annual competition. Several genres were represented among the finalists, including alternative, blues, rock, folk and pop.

Coppin, a Riverside resident who has opened for Willie Nelson and Natalie Merchant, said the contest was a relief from her busy schedule working throughout the country.

"The last gig I had was in Colorado, so it's nice to have something so close to home," said Coppin, one of the finalists.

Breanna (...), 13, better known as Breezy, would have been the youngest finalist but was disqualified at the last minute because she didn't bring a band. Her (Step)father (Mark) and a friend (Kae) pre-record their music, playing more than one instrument each. The Riverside eighth-grader still gave her high-energy pop performance as a special guest.

"Just getting a chance to be on stage is an opportunity," said (Breezy), who hopes to become a pop star.

The winner of the competition will be announced between 5 and 6 p.m. today, during a festival closing party held at Tower Plaza.

Reach Jamie Ayala at (909) 375-3728 or jayala@pe.com