But local songwriter Guy Dupree was happy to take two numbers -- first and second place -- in a statewide country songwriters' showcase.

Dupree won the Best of Country Showcase on May 19, sponsored by the Georgia Music Industry Association.

"It's something that I've been trying to do for about 15 years," said Dupree, obviously proud of the award.

Dupree's songs, "Take a Number" and "How Long Has Your Memory Been Coming Here," both made it into the list of 15 finalists based on his recordings and lyrics. But to win, Dupree had to perform them live.

Still, this is no "American Idol," said Dupree, who has been a contest finalist before but never took the top prize.

"It's nothing to do with the performance -- it's not the crowd's response," he said. Instead, the judging "mostly has to do with the melody and the lyrics."

The judges also considered songs' commercial viability -- would people buy and listen to this music?

If the contest is any indication, Dupree's songs have moneymaking potential. His current day job is running his own company, a service for commercial printers called Superior Graphic Finishing. But at one time, becoming a professional songwriter was a much larger focus for him.

"In the mid '90s I was really spending a lot of time with it, going to Nashville every weekend, networking and pitching songs," he said. "Then I just got back in my own world, spending time at my company."

But winning this contest is a major milestone for him, he said, and at this point in his career he's ready to put more of his focus on songwriting.

"It doesn't hurt if you've got some songs judged by industry professionals to be the best in Georgia," Dupree said. "It kind of opens doors for you a little bit."