HTML MessageHi, Passing this on for any interest you or someone you know may have. Jim Roy Ottawa Blues, Jazz & Swing Guide Phone: (613) 829-3725 www.ottawabluesjazz.ca Hi , This is just quick note to let you and Ottawa Blues, Jazz and Swing Guide know that due to overwhelming demand, the deadline for the inaugural Unsigned Only Music Competition has been extended until April 11 2012. This will be the final deadline for this year's competition. Unsigned Only is 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. We would certainly appreciate you spreading the word to musicians in your reach via the press release below, and please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any further questions. Best Regards, Candace Avery International Songwriting Competition (ISC) Unsigned Only 1307 Eastland Ave Nashville TN 37206 PH: 615-251-4441 Fax: 615-251-4442 www.songwritingcompetition.com www.unsignedonly.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC COMPETITION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 11, 2012 Nashville, TN, USA - March 12, 2012 - Due to overwhelming demand, the inaugural Unsigned Only Music Competition has extended its deadline to enter until April 11, 2012. Designed for solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major record label, 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. Judging criteria includes vocals, performance, songwriting, and originality. Created by the same team who founded the International Songwriting Competition (ISC), Unsigned Only offers great prizes, recognition, exposure, and the chance to be heard by a group of judges consisting of high-profile recording artists and industry professionals. It also takes it a step further, however, 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 top echelon of record company professionals and get guidance, advice, feedback, and networking opportunities. The founders of Unsigned Only, Jim Morgan and Candace Avery, talk about the new venture: "We are pleased to introduce a new music competition of this caliber to artists throughout the world. Having worked with a wide variety of artists over many years, we know that what artists want most is access to record label professionals. However, it is virtually impossible for most up-and-coming artists to have direct access to this elite and elusive group of decision makers. So, Unsigned Only is offering the unprecedented opportunity for the Grand Prize winner to network with and be mentored by a prestigious group of record label executives. This has never been done before, and we are excited about the possibilities it affords the Unsigned Only winner." The judging panel is comprised of an impressive group of recording artists, producers, and top-level music journalists. They include: Cyndi Lauper; Kenny Rogers; Angie Stone; 3 Doors Down; Charlie Daniels; Jeremy Camp; Manchester Orchestra; Craig Morgan; Robert Smith (The Cure); Kelly Clarkson; Musiq Soulchild; Aaron Shust; Steve Lillywhite (Producer); G. Love; Matt and Kim; St. Vincent; The Mountain Goats; Josh Jackson (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine); Scott Lapatine (Founder/Editor-In-Chief, Stereogum) and Lorraine Ali (Pop Music Editor, Los Angeles Times). The panel of mentors who have signed on to participate is equally impressive. Included are: Monte Lipman (President of Universal Republic); Pete Ganbarg (Executive Vice President/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); David Wolter (Senior VP of A&R, RCA Records); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R/Capitol Music Group); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, RCA Records); David Wilkes (VP of A&R, eOne Music); Pete Giberga (Head of A&R, Razor & Tie Records); Jason Geter (President, Grand Hustle Records); Jason McArthur (VP of A&R, Provident Label Group); and Josh Bailey, SVP A&R, Word Label Group. The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded $5,000 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 April 11, 2012. Winners will be announced in July, 2012. Categories include: AAA (Adult Album Alternative), AC (Adult Contemporary), Christian Music, Country, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, R&B/Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop/Top 40, and Vocal Performance. All entries must be original music except for the Vocal Performance category which accepts original or cover songs. Judging criteria in the Vocal Performance category will be based solely on the quality of the vocals, thereby allowing singers who do not write their own songs the opportunity to enter. 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 If you feel that you have received this email in error or would like to be taken off this Unsigned Only promotion list (but still receive Unsigned Only updates) please email: remove(a)unsignedonly.com with "Unsigned Only Updates Only" in the subject. If you wish to unsubscribe completely for any other reason, simply unsubscribe to: remove(a)unsignedonly.com and you will be taken off the list. Thank You.