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Feb 02, 2007
By SUE LINDSEY
Associated Press Writer
ROANOKE, Va. (AP) -- Have you ever wanted to impress your sweetie by writing a song for her? How about a musical tribute to your son, or are you the kind of boss who favors lyrical messages for employees?
Virginia tourism officials have added an interactive "sing back" feature to their Web site for the Crooked Road, a 250-mile trail through country music landmarks in southwest Virginia, that lets users create these and numerous other personalized bluegrass songs.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and first lady Anne Holton are scheduled at a ceremony to unveil the site Saturday night at the Carter Family Fold in the Scott County town of Hiltons.
The state-of-the art site enables visitors to personalize a song to the tune of "Sweet Virginia" that can be sent either by e-mail or to the telephone or cell phone of the recipient.
The song is sung by No Speed Limit, a southwest Virginia band that according to its Web site is to tour with Ralph Stanley this spring.
With a mouse click on the "Crooked Road" songwriting feature, the song writer chooses a name for the recipient, then a relationship such as "buddy," "Daddy" or even "mechanic." A choice that might appeal to shy bards is "Secret Admirer."
The writer then chooses the subject's profession from a list that includes traditional jobs plus choices such as bootlegging and "wrassling," and a mode of transportation that can be a Caddy, a tank or even a milk cow.
"This is an exciting combination of cutting-edge technology and traditional music that takes tourism promotion in a whole new direction," Alisa Bailey, president and chief executive officer of the Virginia Tourism Corp., said in a statement. "The new site gets visitors personally involved in Virginia's Crooked Road online before coming to visit in person."
Online visitors also can register for prizes that include a handmade guitar or mandolin and a trip for two to the Hills of Home Bluegrass Festival in May with lodging at the Ralph Stanley Museum.
On the Net:
http://www.virginia.org/crookedroad
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/V/VA_SONGWRITING_ONLINE_VAOL-?SITE=VABRM
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