GiveMN partners with Minnesota R&B Band Mint Condition and Shanachie Entertainment to celebrate ‘unsung heroes’ and give to the winning video producer’s favorite cause

UPDATE - June 8, 2012 - Due to overwhelming response, the Mint Condition “Unsung Video Contest” has been extended by one week. This will give everyone time to submit a special Father’s Day video for all those “Unsung Dad’s”. The new deadline is Monday, June 18th, 2012 at 11:59 PM. Please go www.shanachie.com for complete contest rules and to download Mint Condition’s song “Unsung” for FREE!

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Minnesota R&B band Mint Condition and their record label Shanachie Entertainment to sponsor the “Unsung” video contest. You are invited to visit www.shanachie.com to download Mint Condition’s inspirational song “Unsung” for exclusive use in creating a video to honor YOUR unsung hero—be it a mother, father, friend or mentor.

The song “Unsung” was written by Mint Condition Keyboardist Lawrence Waddell in honor of his own unsung hero—his foster mother.

“My mother shaped my life in an incredible way and I will always be grateful to her for what’s she’s done,” Lawrence said. “This song is for all the unsung heroes out there like my mom.”

“The nonprofit world is full of unsung heroes, everyday people who are making a difference against difficult odds,” GiveMN Executive Director Dana Nelson said. “We’re delighted to join forces with one of Minnesota’s most talented bands, Mint Condition, and their label, Shanachie Entertainment, to shine a light on those unsung heroes through a video contest.”

The video contest entry period opens Friday, May 11 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 11. The winning video will be chosen by band members Stokley Williams, Ricky Kinchen, Homer O'Dell, Lawrence Waddell, and Jeff Allen. The winner will be announced on June 25. Videos should be uploaded to a video sharing site such as YouTube.com or Vimeo.com, and then the link can be emailed to info@givemn.org no later than 11:59 p.m. on June 11.

Prizes

The producer of the winning video will receive a $1,000 Giving Card courtesy of GiveMN. The producer of the winning video will receive a $1,000 Giving Card courtesy of GiveMN which the recipient can use to direct a $1,000 donation to any one of the nearly one million U.S.-based nonprofit organizations listed on GiveMN.org and a $500 cash prize courtesy of Shanachie Entertainment.  Mint Condition is also providing an autographed guitar to the video producer who’s video receives the most online views—a “People’s Choice” award. The guitar is provided courtesy of Guitar Center.  Both winners will also receive a “grab bag” of artist merchandise from Mint Condition and Shanachie Entertainment. For complete contest details, visit www.shanachie.com.

About Shanachie Entertainment

Shanachie Entertainment is one of America’s most successful and long-lived independent labels. The label has released projects of legends, hit-makers, musical masters and cult icons in the realms of R & B, jazz, alternative music, reggae, blues, country music, singer-song-writers and more. Whether scoring radio hits and Grammy Awards or simply bringing to market critically-acclaimed recordings, Shanachie has been proud to present the work of an array of brilliant artists. 

About Mint Condition

Mint Condition is an R&B band from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Discovered and originally signed by music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in 1989, Mint Condition recently celebrated their 20th anniversary with the release of their seventh studio album “7” on Shanachie Entertainment, on which the song “Unsung” appears.