We can finally settle once and for all, through a battle of the bands, whether or not Ohio is as cool as Ohioans say it is.
In NBC’s “American Song Contest,” 50 U.S. states, 5 territories, and the nation’s capital will each send one Grammy-level delegate to perform a new, original song. The contest is hosted by Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson.
The show airs each Monday at 8 p.m. EST, but episodes can be streamed for free on NBC’s website within hours of the original airing.
The idea came from a similar contest in Europe called “Eurovision,” which I discovered after watching a goofy 2020 Netflix parody that starred Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as the unlucky contestants from Iceland. “Eurovision,” which has aired since 1956, currently has roughly 180 million watchers per year and has launched stars like Celine Dion and ABBA into the international spotlight; it’s about time America made its own version of the hit show.
Hillsdale students don’t typically watch much cable television, but a contest like this is the perfect thing for college students to tune into. Students from out-of-state can sometimes have a lot of state pride with no proper outlet for it. Coming together to watch this showdown opens up a genuine opportunity to cheer on our favorite states and to talk all about the culture in places like California, Tennessee, or New York.
Not only is there one contestant representing each state, but there are also a variety of musical styles representing America’s different demographics. There are artists with backgrounds in genres such as rock, reggae, electronic, pop, and country music. If a student doesn’t vibe with the musician from their state, they can root for Michigan’s 17-year-old Ada Leann from Battle Creek, or any other musician that suits their fancy.
Although some singers have already been eliminated in the first qualifying round—I won’t spoil who—some interesting contestants so far include Wyoming’s Ryan Charles, who mixed country and rap with his song “New Boot Goofin,” and Oklahoma’s AleXa, whose song “Wonderland” incorporated elements of K-pop. Oregon’s band, Courtship, performed a song called “Million Dollar Smoothies,” which refers to having extravagant tastes.
The show also gives each performer a chance to talk a little bit about what they love about their state. Arkansas’s Kelsey Lamb, for example, talked about her state’s unique cheese dip, made with Rotel and melted cheese. I think Texans might beg to differ on the originality of such a recipe—my Texan fiance says it’s a family favorite.
Watching the show brings up important questions about the authenticity of each performance, such as, “Does K-pop really have a hold on the Oklahoman music scene?” I think not, but I guess I would have to talk to someone from Oklahoma to find out.
This show is not just another singing competition like “The Voice” or “The X Factor:” it’s not so much about the competition between singers, but the competition between states. America hasn’t seen something like this at a cultural level, which is why it’s a great unifier for both citizens in each state and for the nation as a whole.
