Singing the state song could earn you $1,000

Iowans who can sing and who want to try and win a thousand bucks can belt out the State Song on tape and send it in to a contest. “The Song of Iowa” was written in 1897 by S-H-M Byers and adopted by the legislature as the official state song in 1911. A New Yorker is collecting versions of all state songs to put on a C-D, with one winner from each state. John Hladczuk says he’s heard everything from traditional guitar and piano with vocals to a jug band.Hladczuk says he’s even had a submission for all 50 states from punk rock bands — though he admits they won’t likely make the final cut.For more information, surf to www.statesongproject.com or call (716) 688-8181. Entries have to be in by October 31st. Winners will be announced next January. The C-D should be available by mid-2001.