Nevada City has always known how to recognize something worth digging for.
On Thursday, May 28th, Madcap Records will present the first-ever Nevada City Song Contest at the Miners Foundry from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm, inviting the community to gather for a FREE evening of original music, local talent, and the possibility of discovering Nevada County’s next great song.
Madcap Records is a new full-service record label offering publishing, recording, distribution, and artist development under one roof. Founded by former Capitol Records A&R executive and producer, Kelly Rutledge, the label was created to help build the foundation for sustainable music careers.
Rutledge states, “By consolidating multiple divisions into one streamlined system, we simplify the process of making and releasing records and create an innovative launching pad to help artists take songs from concept to commercial success.”
For Rutledge, launching Madcap in Nevada City came from noticing the untapped talent, and passionate audiences but no professional infrastructure to support it.
“With my background in the music industry, I can help bridge the industry gap for local artists so songs and dreams don’t collect dust on a shelf,” says Rutledge. “The Nevada City Song Contest felt like a natural first step. Rather than a traditional battle of the bands, the event is designed as a celebration of songwriting itself. It shines the spotlight directly on local talent that wants to take their music to the next level… It’s about discovering artists and helping create opportunities around their music, which is what Madcap Records was built for.”
Submissions opened in January and closed March 31. From those entries, Madcap selected five finalists who will perform their original songs live at the Miners Foundry.
The evening begins with a mixer featuring live music by Dasty Island, pop-up vendors including Clocktower Records, and free giveaways for all attendees. Two raffle winners will also earn a seat on the judging panel alongside KVMR Radio DJs.
From there, the five finalists will take the stage and perform their songs for a live judging panel. By the end of the night, one songwriter will be named the winner of the first-ever Nevada City Song Contest.
Rutledge said the finalists were chosen based on the strength of their lyrics, melody, emotional impact, and artistic identity. The prize is meant to go beyond applause.
The winner will receive a professional recording at Ancient Wave Studios, a live KVMR performance, and an official Madcap Records release. The winning song will be recorded, mastered, and released through a modern marketing and distribution pipeline.
“Artists need more than recognition. They need support, opportunity, and infrastructure,” Rutledge said. “Artist development is becoming a lost art in the music business, but it is something I find to be of most importance.”
Madcap’s model focuses on helping artists develop one song at a time while still building momentum through consistent releases. Rutledge said this approach combines old-school artist development with a modern release strategy, giving independent artists a more manageable way to grow.
“KVMR has been a major supporter of original music in this region for years, and the Miners Foundry is such an iconic creative space for Nevada City,” Rutledge said. “We wanted this to feel like a real community gathering centered around the musical heartbeat of Nevada City.”
Looking ahead, Rutledge hopes the Nevada City Song Contest is only the beginning. Her vision is not just one night of music, but a growing local ecosystem where artists can record, collaborate, release music, and build real careers while staying connected to the community that shaped them.
“Local music scenes only grow when communities actively support them,” Rutledge said. “This event is about starting a new seriousness around the music community in Nevada City. Songs are the new nuggets here, and every voice could be a hidden gem.”
Readers can learn more about Madcap Records, its artist development model, and upcoming opportunities through Madcap Music Group’s website. The site offers a closer look at Rutledge’s vision for supporting artists through recording, publishing, distribution, and long-term creative development. For more info go to www.madcapmusicgroup.com