Singer Sean Heffernan was the first winner of the Songwriting Contest hosted by Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights, back in 2022. While he describes it as a thrill to hear his name called as the winner, for writing a song about growing up in Arlington Heights — Pioneer Park — the experience made a bigger impact.
“Winning the contest was a huge confidence booster,” Heffernan says. “I carried that momentum into starting my own band and playing gigs all over Chicagoland, both with the band and as a solo performer. It was also a great opportunity to meet a ton of fellow songwriters in the local area, many of whom I am still connected to this day.”
Hey Nonny is bringing back the songwriting contest, with submissions due by Aug. 13. Find an entry form on Hey Nonny’s homepage. While the first three years required songs to be related to the Northwest suburbs, this year’s contest has no thematic restrictions.
“We’re just looking for great songs this year,” says Chip Brooks, co-owner of Hey Nonny. “These are weird times, and we hope that songwriters this year bring some fun, optimism and positive energy to their songs.”
Hey Nonny owner, Chip Brooks
Brooks and his Hey Nonny team have decided to narrow entries down to the top 40. From there, contestants will be invited to perform their song live in front of an audience in one of three preliminary rounds on Sept. 2, 9 and 16. The four finalists from each night then will return to Hey Nonny for the finals on Sept. 23, with judging by a panel of professional songwriters.
Brooks notes that the writer does not need to be the one to perform the song in the contest.
“It’s a writing contest, not a performance contest,” Brooks noted. “That being said, sometimes a song really comes to life based on how it’s presented.”
Sponsoring the contest again this year is local personal injury attorney Ron Wittmeyer. Through his support the winning entry receives a $1,000 prize and a follow-up performance slot at Hey Nonny. Additional $400 and $300 prizes will be offered to the 2nd and 3rd place selections.
Sean Heffernan, right, with Ron Wittmeyer, contest sponsor
“We’ve had absolute novices enter right along with some experienced songwriters from the area,” Brooks said. “Our judges will be looking for something unique but something that leaves an impression in some way. We’re excited to see what people are thinking and feeling in 2025.”
Heffernan was not exactly a novice when he entered in 2022, but he wasn’t a prolific performer either. He grew up listening to his father, Brian, play music on his guitar and mandolin, and when he attended Marquette University, Heffernan started playing in coffeehouses and bars in Milwaukee.
After graduation, he returned home to Chicago to study songwriting and voice at Old Town School of Folk Music, releasing his debut single “Goodnight Madame” in 2018. He’s been playing steadily ever since and will perform at 5 p.m. Thursday at Grandpa’s in Glenview, and back at Hey Nonny, at 9 p.m. July 25 and at 4:30 p.m. July 26.
“I would encourage anyone thinking about entering one of their songs into the contest to do it,” Heffernan says. “Hey Nonny is a truly special place, with a highly supportive musical community.”
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