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.
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