Call for Talent: Explore Branson Destination Theme Song

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Introduction
Explore Branson Tourism is conducting a call for talent to Branson/Lakes Area singers, songwriters, and performers. Explore Branson Tourism is tasked with destination marketing for the Branson/Lakes Area. Every three years, the destination refreshes the marketing campaign with new creative and tagline. In 2025, Explore Branson Tourism is working with the Cultivator agency to create a Branson theme song that will be used to promote the destination in TV and CTV (connected TV) commercials, video promotion, and more.
 

Background
Explore Branson Tourism is dedicated to promoting tourism in the Branson/Lakes Area, highlighting live music shows, attractions, events, accommodations, and activities. Destination marketing is done with a budget from City of Branson tax dollars and the Tourism Community Enhancement District (TCED) tax dollars.
 

Project Goals

1. Find Branson/Lakes Area performers/groups available to sing and perform pre-written lyrics, in a recording studio, on a timeline.
2. Record a song with a Christmas specific focus to begin using in marketing materials in the fall of 2025 and a general destination song with use beginning in January 2026.
3. Recorded music, song, and final production will be used by the Explore Branson Tourism team over the course of three years and live on in perpetuity.
4. Showcase the performers/groups on the Explore Branson website, social media, and through media outlets.
    

Scope of Work
The selected performer/group will be called to:

• Review supplied lyrics and create music to synch with the new marketing campaign for the next three years.
Explorebranson.com PO Box 1897, Branson, MO 65615
• Sing and perform in a recording studio with set dates, times, and a specific timeline with no flexibility.
• Be recorded, photographed, and interviewed through the process of song creation.
 

Requirements
To ensure we are using and showcasing Branson/Lakes Area talent, please complete the call for talent only if you meet the following requirements:

1. Performer/group names, email addresses, and phone numbers. One main contact for correspondence purposes.
2. Portfolio: an audio or video recording of your group singing, playing any/all instruments used for the performance, unaccompanied by background tracks, auto-tuning, or adjustments. Share the recording in an audio file, link, or YouTube account. Original music strongly encouraged.
3. Genre: country, folk, bluegrass, rock.
4. Compensation: the finished product will be featured on Explore Branson marketing and promotional materials. The performer/group names will not be mentioned in the finished piece. Bio, story, link to music, performances, and specific promotional offers will be made on a landing page on the Explore Branson website, which receives an average of 4.5 million visits per year. Financial compensation to be determined.
    

Timeline
• Call for talent: June 3, 2025
• Deadline for questions: June 12, 2025
• Portfolio due date: June 18, 2025
• Portfolio review: June 18–26, 2025
• Performer/Group selection: June 30, 2025
• Song development and production: July 1–10, 2025
• Review by committee: July 11–20, 2025
• Final recording of song with video and photography elements, combining any edits, reviews, and change suggestions from the committee: July 21–25, 2025
• Presentation of song to area stakeholders: August 28, 2025
 

Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Quality of performance from portfolio.
• Fit of performance to the genre of music that fits and messaging for Explore Branson.
• Understanding goals, scope of work, and fitting the needs of the timeline.
• Talent from the Branson/Lakes Area community.
 

Submission Instructions
Please submit your portfolio sample of music by email to Heather Hermen, [email protected], by June 18, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.
 

Questions
Any questions regarding this call for talent should be directed to Heather Hermen, Senior Vice President/Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at [email protected], by the deadline specified in the timeline section. Questions are to be directed by email only to keep a record of the questions and provide written documentation of engagement if requested by any individual, business, or taxpayer, and to provide consistent answers for all inquiring performers/groups.

 

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Thank you for your interest in this project. We look forward to listening to your music!

Sincerely,
Heather Hermen
Explore Branson