Passing this message on for info of those musicians and others on this list who may have any interest. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, With the 2008 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) well under way, I wanted to give you an update on this year's prestigious judging panel, specifically pertaining to our Jazz category. I hope that Ottawa Blues, Jazz And Swing Guide will post or circulate information from the press release below and let the Jazz artists in your community know about this year's competition. Each year ISC is privileged to assemble an outstanding judging panel, and the 2008 competition is no exception. McCoy Tyner, Jon Scofield, and Mitchell Cohen (VP of A&R, Verve Music Group), among others, have all signed on as ISC judges; the panel consists of highly respected recording artists and some of the most influential executives in the music industry. See below for a complete list of judges. In addition to the Jazz category, ISC also offers 19 other categories of music to enter. New this year is a Music Video category, and ISC has included the following prestigious industry executives as judges: Amy Doyle (Sr. VP of Music and Talent at MTV) and Rick Krim (Executive VP of Talent and Programming for VH1). If you need additional information about ISC, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your continued support and assistance in helping to spread the word about ISC. All the best, Candace Avery Founder/Director FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Candace Avery International Songwriting Competition 615.251.4441 cavery(a)songwritingcompetition.com www.songwritingcompetition.com RENOWNED JAZZ ICONS TO JUDGE 2008 INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION (ISC) McCoy Tyner, Jon Scofield, and Mitchell Cohen (VP of A&R, Verve Music Group) Among the Many Music Celebrities and High-Profile Music Industry Executives To Choose 2008 ISC Winners August 19, 2008 - Renowned music icons McCoy Tyner, Jon Scofield, and music industry executive Mitchell Cohen (VP of A&R, Verve Music Group) have all signed up as judges for this year's International Songwriting Competition (ISC). These are just some of the prestigious judges who will participate in ISC this year. Add in Tom Waits, Chaka Khan, Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20), Ray Davies (The Kinks), Jon Secada, T-Pain, Loretta Lynn, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ricky Martin and many more, and you have the most impressive panel of judges in any songwriting competition. An equally impressive group of top-level music industry executives rounds out the panel. Consistent in its tradition of having such esteemed judges, ISC continues to raise the bar for songwriting competitions. Candace Avery, Founder and Director, states, "The caliber of judges for the Jazz category is particularly high this year, and we are really honored that these judges want to participate and listen to the songs of our entrants." The opportunity to have these judges hear your songs is only part of the reason to enter ISC. Recognition, exposure, kudos, and prizes (more than $150,000 in cash and prizes will be shared among the 62 winners - including an overall Grand Prize of $25,000 (US) cash and $20,000 in prizes) are other equally enticing reasons for entering ISC. ISC accepts original songs from musicians, artists, groups, and songwriters at every level from amateur to professional. ISC's Jazz category includes all genres of traditional and contemporary Jazz music. Songwriters entering this category may also enter any other categories. Go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com to enter songs via mail or online. The complete list of 2008 ISC judges include: Recording Artists McCoy Tyner; John Scofield; Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20); Chaka Khan; Tom Waits; KT Tunstall; Robert Smith (The Cure); Ricky Martin; Loretta Lynn; Neil Finn (Crowded House); Buckcherry; T-Pain; James Cotton; Jerry Lee Lewis; Craig Morgan; Ray Davies (The Kinks); Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Michael W. Smith; Chris Hillman (The Byrds); Mario; Black Francis (The Pixies); Youssou N'Dour; John Mayall; DJ Tiësto; Paul Van Dyk; Jon Secada; Natalie Grant; Jeremy Camp; Matt Thiessen (Relient K); Pittbull; Angelique Kidjo; Sandra Bernhard; "Weird Al" Yankovic; and David Brenner Music Industry Executives Mitchell Cohen (VP of A&R, Verve Music Group); Monte Lipman (President, Universal Records); Nick Burgess (Head of A&R, Virgin Records UK); John Echevarria (President, Universal Music Latino); Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP of A&R, Latin America Sony BMG and President, Discos 605); Cameron Strang (President, New West Records); Rick Krim (Executive VP Talent and Programming, VH1); Amy Doyle (Sr. VP of Music and Talent, MTV); Kim Buie (VP of A&R, Lost Highway); Jon Pikus (Director of A&R, MySpace Records); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Dan Storper (President, Putumayo World Music); Rene Bell (Executive VP A&R, Sony BMG Nashville); Peter Strickland (Senior VP, Jack Records/Warner Bros.); Steve Lillywhite (Producer - credits include U2, The Rolling Stones, Morrissey, Peter Gabriel, and more); Douglas C. Cohn (Sr. VP, Music Marketing & Talent, Nickelodeon); Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); Betty Pino (DJ, WAMR Miami); Paul Majors (CEO/Founder Majors Music); Leib Ostrow (CEO, Music for Little People); and Dr. Demento (Radio Host of The Dr. Demento Show) In addition to the Jazz category, ISC offers 19 other categories, including: Pop/Top 40, AAA (Adult Album Alternative), Rock, Country, Americana, R&B/Hip-Hop, Blues, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Gospel/Christian, Latin Music, Instrumental, Dance/Electronica, Comedy/Novelty, World Music, Children's Music, Lyrics Only, Teen, Performance, and Music Video. For more information, please go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com ISC 2008 sponsors include Luna Guitars, Berklee College of Music, Shure, D'Addario, M-Audio, Griffin Technology, Hear Technologies, PoBoy Drums, Thayers, Disc Makers, ASCAP, Phase One Studios, Stuph Merch, Sonicbids, Sam Ash, Alphabet Arm Design, Shari's Berries, Cakewalk, Taxi, George Stein, Esq., The Music Business Registry, and Onlinegigs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim Roy Ottawa Blues, Jazz & Swing Guide Phone: (613) 829-3725 www.ottawabluesjazz.ca For changes, subscription or unsubscription to the lists below, Ottawa Musicians' List: http://lists.ncf.ca/mailman/listinfo/ottawamusicians Ottawabluesandjazz List: http//lists.ncf.ca/mailman/listinfo/ottawabluesandjazz