6:57 p.m.
Passing this on for any interest it has.
Jim Roy
Ottawa Blues, Jazz & Swing Guide
Phone: (613) 829-3725 www.ottawabluesjazz.ca
Hi ,
We were hoping that Ottawa Blues, Jazz and Swing Guide would be able to distribute this
press release about an exciting music opportunity for unsigned artists, which is simply
called "Unsigned Only" (http://www.unsignedonly.com)
Unsigned Only is a music competition designed for solo artists, bands, and singers who are
not signed to a major label record company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or
imprints. The goal of Unsigned Only is to find an outstanding, talented performer: a band,
singer, or solo artist...a newcomer or veteran...raw or polished - the "gem"
that needs to be discovered. Unsigned Only is looking for the total package. Judging
criteria includes vocals, performance, originality, and songwriting. There is also a
category just for Vocal Performance which accepts songs that are not original, and a Teen
category for artists 18 years and younger (which includes a scholarship to Berklee School
Of Music's summer program as part of the prize package)
We certainly appreciate you helping to spread the word about this exciting opportunity,
and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us directly.
Best Wishes,
Candace Avery
www.unsignedonly.com
www.songwritingcompetition.com
615-739-5497
1307 Eastland Ave
Nashville TN 37206
2013 UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC COMPETITION
ANNOUNCES JUDGES AND MENTORS
Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), Neon Trees, Iggy Pop, Ryan Bingham, Eve, Carly Simon,
Hunter Hayes, and Many More Round Out Judging Panel
November 29, 2012 - Unsigned Only Music Competition today announced its judging panel for
the 2013 competition, which is now accepting entries. The panel of judges consists of the
top echelon of recording artists and music journalists, representing the ten categories of
popular music covered by the competition.
Founders/Directors Candace Avery and Jim Morgan noted, "We are gearing up for another
great year of Unsigned Only with even more judges, bigger cash prizes, and another great
opportunity to bridge the gap between unsigned artists and the music industry executives
who could potentially influence and elevate their careers."
Designed for solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major label record
company, Unsigned Only's goal is to find an outstanding, talented performing artist: a
band, singer, or solo artist...a newcomer or veteran...raw or polished - the
"gem" that needs to be discovered. Unsigned Only is looking for the total
package. The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded $10,000 in cash (plus additional prizes)
and one-on-one mentoring by an elite group of record company executives. First Place and
Second Place winners will also be selected in each category. Entries are being accepted
now until March 14, 2013. Categories include: AAA (Adult Album Alternative), AC (Adult
Contemporary), Christian Music, Country, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, R&B/Hip-Hop, Rock,
Pop/Top 40, Teen, and Vocal Performance.
Launched in 2011 by the founders of the International Songwriting Competition (ISC),
Unsigned Only is a fresh and novel approach to other music competitions. Not only does it
offer great prizes, recognition, exposure, and the chance to be heard by a group of judges
consisting of high-profile recording artists and industry professionals, but it also takes
it a step further and offers the Grand Prize winner the unprecedented opportunity to be
mentored by a group of record company presidents, A&R reps, and more. This is a
once-in-a-lifetime chance for an artist to directly network with the highest level of
record company professionals and get guidance, advice, feedback, and networking
opportunities.
2012 Grand Prize winner Lara Johnston states, "being the Grand Prize winner of
Unsigned Only has been a definite high point of my career thus far. The mentoring
opportunities provided by Unsigned Only are nothing short of incredible: I've had
in-depth conversations and meetings with the uppermost gatekeepers and leaders of the
music industry. Since winning Unsigned Only, I've garnered invaluable advice from a
rich variety of perspectives, and I've had the chance to start relationships with
people who can truly help me in my career. I'm excited to see where this all takes me
and I would urge any aspiring artist to enter this year's competition - you never
know, you might be the next Grand Prize winner!"
The judging panel is comprised of an impressive group of recording artists and top-level
music journalists. They include: Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders); Cyndi Lauper; Iggy Pop;
Carly Simon; John Oates (Hall & Oates); Eve; 3 Doors Down; Neon Trees; Brandi Carlile;
Hunter Hayes; Manchester Orchestra; Black Francis (The Pixies); Ryan Bingham; Faith Evans;
David Crowder; Craig Morgan; Robert Smith (The Cure); Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Of
Monsters and Men; Wynonna; Aaron Shust; Kirko Bangz; G. Love; Jason Gray; Dustin Lynch;
The Mountain Goats; Anthony DeCurtis (Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone); Josh Jackson
(Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine); Vanessa Satten (Editor-In-Chief, XXL
Magazine); Christopher Weingarten (Senior Editor, Spin); and Chris Richards (Pop Music
Critic, The Washington Post).
The panel of mentors who have signed on to participate is equally impressive. Included
are: Monte Lipman (President of Universal Republic Records); Pete Ganbarg (Executive
VP/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); Shawn Holiday (Senior VP of A&R, RCA Records
and Sony/ATV Music Publishing); Josh Bailey (Sr. VP of A&R, Word Label Group); Kim
Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R/Capitol Music Group); Allison B.
Jones (VP of A&R, Big Machine Label Group); Lisa Ramsey-Perkins (Senior Director of
A&R, Sony Music Nashville); and more to be announced.
All entries must be original music except for the Vocal Performance and Teen categories,
which allow original or cover songs.
SPONSORS
D'Addario, The Music Business Registry and Mrs. Fields Cookies
For more information, please contact Candace Avery at 615.251.4441 or
cavery(a)unsignedonly.com. For entry and general information, please go to
http://www.unsignedonly.com
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