Hi ,
We just wanted to pass on this important press release to you
and Ottawa Blues, Jazz and Swing Guide, regarding the success of songwriters in
the world renowned International Songwriting Competition (ISC). We truly
appreciate your support in helping spread the recognition of these talented
songwriters!
Your Sincerely
Candace
Avery
Founder/Director
ISC
NTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
(ISC) ANNOUNCES 2010 FINALISTS AND SEMI-FINALISTS
JUDGES PETER GABRIEL,
TOM WAITS, RIHANNA, KINGS OF LEON, TRAIN, BEN HARPER,
McCOY TYNER, WYNONNA,
KEANE, AND MORE TO SELECT WINNERS
March 11, 2011....ISC is proud to
announce the 2010 finalists and semi-finalists. This year, ISC received well
over 15,000 entries from 115 countries throughout the world, representing all
genres of contemporary music. The ISC listening committee narrowed these entries
down to 323 finalists in 22 categories. These finalists hail from 33 countries
from all corners of the world, from Uruguay to Armenia, from Moldova to Hungary,
from Zaire to the Ukraine, and everywhere in between. Reflecting the
international scope of the competition, over 58% of all finalists and
semi-finalists come from outside the USA. Winners will be selected from the
group of finalists by ISC judges Peter Gabriel, Tom Waits, Rihanna, Ben Harper,
Kings of Leon, Jeff Beck, McCoy Tyner, and many more.
Winners will be
announced in late April, 2011. Prizes include over $150,000 in cash,
merchandise, and services - including a Grand Prize of $25,000 cash and $20,000
in additional prizes.
Go to
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners
to see the complete list.
The ISC finalists' songs are currently posted
on the ISC website as part of the 2010 People's Voice - an online voting contest
that allows the public to listen to and vote for their favorite ISC finalist.
The winner of the People's Voice is selected solely by public vote and is in
addition to, and completely separate from, the regular winners who will be
selected by the prestigious ISC judging panel. To listen to the finalists' songs
and to cast your vote (you be the judge!), visit:
http://www.sonicbids.com/voting/Default.aspx?p=372ISC
2010 was the most competitive of any year in terms of quality of entries. ISC
received so many wonderful songs that reflected creativity, diversity, and
excellent songwriting craftsmanship, and as a result, it was the most difficult
year to select the finalists. "Selecting both the finalists and the
semi-finalists was a challenging and daunting task," says Founder and Director
Candace Avery. "The competition was so extreme this year, making the status of
being selected a finalist or semi-finalist an honor that is elevated and even
more prestigious than in past years." Accordingly, there is a record number of
finalists and semi-finalists. Congratulations to all these deserving
songwriters!
Kasey Chambers, an award-winning, internationally renowned
Australian Country/Americana artist, leads the pack this year with seven songs
being selected finalists in various categories. This is the first time any
artist has ever received so many finalist nods in ISC, and this achievement
recognizes the excellence of her songwriting ability. Kasey's glittering career
has culminated in multiple ARIA, APRA, and CMAA awards as well as multiple
top-selling albums, establishing her as one of the most respected and successful
Aussie artists. Click here for more information.
The Parlotones (with six
entries achieving finalist status), are one of South Africa's most popular and
successful groups. Known for their electrifying live performances, they also
hold the distinction of having the biggest selling rock album of the last decade
in South Africa, having achieved double Platinum status and garnering seven
radio singles off this one album alone. They are currently on tour in the USA.
Click here for more info and their tour schedule.
The complete list of
ISC judges includes:
Recording Artists: Peter Gabriel; Rihanna; Kings of
Leon; Tom Waits; Ben Harper; Jeff Beck; Kelly Clarkson; Timbaland; Keane; McCoy
Tyner; Ben Folds; Train; Robbie Williams; Joe Nichols; Michael W. Smith; John
Scofield; Jerry Lee Lewis; Regina Spektor; Alejandro Sanz; Jeremy Camp; Terence
Blanchard; Ray Wylie Hubbard; Montel Jordan; John Mayall; Craig Morgan; Jazmine
Sullivan; DJ Tiësto; James Cotton; Sandra Bernhard; Robert Earl Keen; Baaba
Maal; Wynonna; John Digweed; K'Naan; Adele; Black Francis (The Pixies); Robert
Smith (The Cure); Chris Hillman (The Byrds); Darryl McDaniels (Run D.M.C.);
Toots Hibbert (Toots & The Maytals); Matt Thiessen (Relient K); Chayanne;
and Dan Zanes
Industry Executives: Monte Lipman (President, Universal
Republic Records); Amanda Ghost (President, Epic Records); Rick Krim (Exec. VP,
Talent & Music Programming, VH1); Brian Malouf (VP A&R, Walt Disney
Records); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Angel Carrasco
(Sr. VP A&R, Latin America, Sony/BMG); Ric Arboit (President, Nettwerk Music
Group); Daniel Glass (Founder/CEO, Glassnote Entertainment Group); Cory Robbins
(Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); Dr. Demento (Radio Host, The Dr.
Demento Show); Steve Lillywhite (Producer); Dan Storper (President, Putamayo
World Music Records and Putumayo Kids); Lisa Ramsey Perkins (Sr. Director,
A&R Sony Nashville); Kim Buie (VP A&R, Lost Highway); Leib Ostrow (CEO,
Music For Little People); and Tommy Morris (Talent Coordinator, The Comedy
Store)
ISC sponsors include: Martin Guitar, Berklee College Of Music,
Disc Makers, D'Addario, Shure, Westone, Thayers, Onlinegigs, ASCAP, SongU.com,
Grooveshark, TuneCore, Aspen Brownie Works, The Music Business Registry,
Independent Mastering, Indie Venue Bible, Tanager, George Stein, Esq., Celebrity
Access, Sonicbids, Taxi, music Submit, and Alphabet Arm Design
ISC is now
accepting entries for 2011. For more information and an entry form, go to
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com.
For
more information, contact Candace Avery, Founder/Director at
615.251.4441.
International Songwriting Competition
1307 Eastland
Avenue
Nashville, TN 37206
ph: 615.251.4441
fx: 615.251.4442
www.songwritingcompetition.com