Unique Contest Aimed to
Kill Summer Phonograph Slump in Michigan
$1000 for a song. That is the amount
the Michigan Music Operators' Associa-
tion is offering as prizes in their novel
contest now being carried on by opera-
tor-members of the organization.
It all began back in April when Man-
ager Max M. Marston announced the
contest to members of the Association
in a fashion almost as unique as the
contest. Recording his speech on a
phonograph record-which gave all the
details of the plan-Marston played it
before the entire membership at a reg-
ular meeting. He immediately followed
this with the contest tune , which he had
recorded on another record.
The plan was received with enthusi-
asm and was immediately endorsed by
the group. "They feel," Marston reports ,
"that the idea has merit and will do a
great deal for the Association by mak-
ing the public more conscious of auto-
matic music."
The extreme simplicity and ease with
which the contest is carried on has
made it popular with operators. The
working • material consists of a litho-
graphed card; a record especially re-
corded for the Association from a tune
composed by a local song writer and
played by an orchestra made up of lo-
cal talent; and the usual title strip to
list the record.
Members display the colorful card,
bearing the announcement that $1000
will be given away in prizes, on their
phonographs in the various locations.
The record is always placed in the
number one position on the machine as
is the little strip indicating • that 'the
number one record is a contest tune.
Each point in the contest has been
carefully worked out and the smooth-
ness with which it has operated to date
proves that details have been handled
well.
The card indicates that the Michigan
Music Operators' Association will award
$1000 in cash prizes to the ten best
entries-said entries to consist of words
to the contest record.
Directions on the card call for the fol-
lowing rules:
. "Record Number J on this phonograph
1s a tune composed especially for this
contest. It has never been published
before, and is without words. PLAY IT.
LISTEN TO IT. Then write your own
words which, if you win , may be words
to a new song hit.
"All entries become the property of
the sponsors. Send as many entries as
you wish. Be sure to include name, ad-
dress , and location of phonograph, and
name of operator. The attendant will
tell you."
First Prize .................................. $500
Second Prize ............................ 250
Third Prize .................. : ............. 125
Fourth Prize.............................. 50
Fifth Prize.................................. 25
Sixth to Tenth Prizes, each.. JO
The names of winners will be posted
on the same lithographed card follow-
ing the close of the contest. At that time
the tune will be recorded with the win-
ning words and placed on the phono-
graphs of all Association members.
This additional feature should make the
contest extremely popular and far more
profitable to operators.
Total cost of the contest to the opera-
tor, including the advertising material,
records, author of the tune , the record-
ing band, and cash prizes amounts to
45c per record. This price is based on a
minimum order of five thousand records.
As the record has two sides, one the
contest tune, the other a red hot swing
recording , its value to the operator is as
great or greater than any record he can
buy. Its quality is unquestioned and
will stand up as long or longer than
many records now used by operators.
Music operators of the Michigan As-
sociation believe the contest is just what
they need to keep things going through-
out the summer months. They have
shown enthusiasm for the idea since it
was announced, Marston states, and
they report that the public has shown a
great deal of interest in the contest.
Present plans call for a closing date
of June 15 for the submission of words
to the tune. How Jong the public will
desire to play the winning number re-
mains to be seen. Who knows , out of
just such a contest one of the most pop-
ular hits of the season may be born?
To Max Marston and the members of the
Michigan Music Association should go
an expression of gratitude for a new
and very desirable idea.
e
(The contes! d.escribed above has been copyrighted
by the M1ch1gan Music Operato rs' Associatio1>.
Other Associations interested in the contest are
invited to write Max M. Marston secretary 629
Penobscot Bldg ., Detroit, Mich .) '
'
D TO
ODO PLAYS
FROM A
1iud:
Bermuda Cruise
cancelled by
Wurlitzer Company
NORTH TONAWANDA, N. Y.-On May
9 the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company sent
the following letter to their customers:
"Ever since our announcement in
January we have been working and
planning to entertain our customers in
true Wurlitzer style with a Cruise to
Bermuda on the S. S. Ile de France.
"Since the original announcement was
Phonograph, equipped with cards and
records for the novel "song contest" now
being sponsored by the Michigan Music
Operators Associatwn, is shown being in•
spected by Business Manager Max M. Mar-
ston and ]. Mike Kratze. $1000 in prizes are
now being given away by the Association
for the best words to a recorded tune.
0
made certain conditions have arisen
over which we have no control and the
French Line, owners and operators of
the S. S. Ile de France, advise us that
they cannot give us a positive guaran-
tee that the Ile de France will be avail-
able on the date scheduled or any other
date we might select.
"This letter is, therefore , a notice to
you that the Bermuda Cruise scheduled
for · September 30, is hereby cancelled.
We know that you fully unded tand our
position and the necessity for this can-
cellation.
"Your enthusiasm and co-operation
has been splendid and we want you to
know that we sincerely appreciate it."
No additional information was given
by the Wurlitzer Company at the time
the letter was sent.
27
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