Vidalia, GA – America’s favorite sweet onion is throwing a music party, and thousands are passionately participating! The Vidalia® Onion Committee (VOC) is seeking the most popular Vidalia jingle, and more than 70,000 people have visited the Vidalia onion website (www.vidaliaonion.org) to cast their votes. Jingle submissions closed July 5, but votes are being accepted through August 5, 2011, so the race is on.
Salutes to the famous Southern onion have sparked lively conversations and even controversy over who should win. Will it be the spunky 74-year-old with the ukulele, the father/son pop cover duo, or possibly the Elvis impersonator? The VOC has gotten more than 70 pages of feedback and comments from consumers on the colorful jingles. The leading vote getter to date has received more than 17,000 votes. The most popular jingle will earn $1,000 cash, while another winner based on talent and creativity as chosen by a judging panel will win an Ultimate Nashville Getaway.
“It is remarkable how impassioned these voters are,” said Wendy Brannen, executive director of the farmer organization. The main controversy she reports is over the correct pronunciation of “Vidalia.” Incredulous, Brannen said, “I never dreamed the contestants and their followers would be so emotionally invested. We’ve gotten numerous e-mails thanking us for creating a fun, family-friendly contest, but boy, some people really get hot when their favorite tune is not on top!”
Contest submissions have run the audio and visual gamut: a cappella lyrics, pre-produced videos with guitar and drum accompaniments, Southern drawls, thick New York accents, giggling girlfriends, family reunion attendees, wannabe rappers, ladies crooning in flowered hats, and more.
The Vidalia Onion Jingle Contest was developed as part of an overall country music promotional partnership with Universal Music Group Nashville. The “Sweet Vidalias & Country Music” theme is featured on thousands of retail store displays nationwide this summer. Some of country music’s biggest names appear on Vidalia promotional materials and packaging, including Vince Gill, Billy Currington, Gary Allan and Ashton Shepherd.
The Vidalia Onion Committee was established in 1989 as Federal Marketing Order No. 955. The order authorizes production research, marketing research and development, and marketing promotion programs. The VOC administers the order locally and consists of eight producer members and their alternates and one public member and an alternate. More information about the Vidalia onion industry may be obtained at VidaliaOnion.org.
Source: The Vidalia Onion Committee
