Song-A-Thon Playoffs

Last Thursday of every month

SONG-A-THON PLAYOFFS – JANUARY 29, 2026

Schooners Presents…the Song-A-Thon Playoffs!! Ten local musicians playing original music in a fun competition for cash & prizes, with audience voting to help determine the winners!

Event Format:

Ten artists will be entered for each Song-A-Thon. The artists will be separated by a draw into two groups of five. The first five artists will each perform one song in Round 1, with the remaining artists performing in Round 2. After each round, the artists will be ranked by the Audience, with the top two artists from each group making the final round. Among the other six artists, the judges will select two or three “wildcard” entries to perform one song each for the last space in the Final Round. The Wildcard Round Winner will be determined by Audience vote. 

The Artist with the most votes from Rounds 1-2 will select the order for the Final Round. (In the event of a tie for most votes, the judges’ votes will serve as tiebreaker). The artists will perform one song each in the Final Round, with the judges naming the Song-A-Thon Champion and awarding a Second Prize. 

Schedule of Events:

Doors Open: 5pm

Artists’ Draw: 6pm

First Round: 630pm

Second Round: 715pm

Wildcard Round: 8pm

Final Round: 830pm

Awards: 9pm

Prizes:

• The Top Prize will be $250 in cash. 
• The Second Prize will be a $100 gift card to Central Coast Music. 
• The winner of the Wildcard Round will win a $50 gift card to Schooners. 
• All performers not in the Final Round will be eligible for a $25 gift card to Schooners, drawn as a consolation prize after the Wildcard Round. 

Voting & Judges:

Audience members will be given “ballots” at the start of the Song-A-Thon. There will be a ballot for Round 1, Round 2 and the Wildcard Round. Each Audience member may vote for only one person per round. Votes will be tallied at the end of each round. The top two vote getters in Round 1 and Round 2 will be in the Final Round. The top vote getter in the Wildcard Round will also be in the Final Round. 

After the Wildcard Round, the $25 consolation gift card drawing will take place. 

The Judges will only vote to break any ties in Rounds 1, 2 and the Wildcard Round. The Judges will determine the Song-A-Thon Champion & Second Prize Winner based on the complete performances of all finalists. 

Event Rules & Guidelines:

1. This is an event for solo musicians only. If there is enough interest from duos/trios, a similar event may be added into the calendar. 
2. Artists must perform original material. Covers are strongly discouraged, and only permitted if the performance is especially unique. 
3. Artists should communicate any questions regarding PA setup and/or instruments to the Event MC at least one week prior to the event.
4. All participating artists must be present for the Artists’ Draw, no exceptions. If an artist is not present for the Draw, their spot may be forfeited.
5. After the Draw, each artist must announce the first song they will be performing. 
6. Guests and artists are expected to be respectful when others are performing. Talking during performances is strongly discouraged and may result in disqualification. 
7. All Audience & Judge voting results are final – there will not be any appeals. 
8. Artists may use any instrument they choose, as long as the setup and breakdown is simple. This event requires as little downtimes possible between artist performances. 
9. The Event MC will help each artist plug in to the PA and any amplification. Artists are expected to be able to load in and out quickly to keep the event moving. 
10. Artists may participate in multiple Song-A-Thon Playoffs, provided that they have not been a Champion in any of the past three events.