August 13, 2008 - Renowned music artists Michael W. Smith, Jeremy Camp, Natalie Grant, and Matt Thiessen (Relient K) have all
signed up as judges for this year's International Songwriting Competition (ISC).
These artists 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 Gospel/Christian 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 Gospel/Christian category includes all genres of traditional and contemporary Gospel and Christian 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
Michael W. Smith; Jeremy Camp; Matt Thiessen (Relient K); Natalie Grant; 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); McCoy Tyner; Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Chris Hillman (The Byrds); John Scofield; Mario; Black Francis (The Pixies); Youssou N'Dour; John Mayall; DJ Tiësto; "Weird Al" Yankovic; Angelique Kidjo; Paul Van Dyk; Jon Secada; Sandra Bernhard; Pittbull; and David Brenner
Music Industry Executives
Monte Lipman (President, Universal Records); Nick Burgess (Head of A&R, Virgin Records UK); Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP of A&R, Latin America Sony BMG and President, Discos 605); Cameron Strang (President, New West Records); 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); Mitchell Cohen (VP of A&R, Verve Music Group); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Dan Storper (President, Putumayo World Music); 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); Dr. Demento (Radio Host of The Dr. Demento Show); Rene Bell (Executive VP A&R, Song BMG Nashville); John Echevarria (President, Universal Music Latino); and Rick Krim (Executive VP Talent and Programming, VH1)
In addition to the Gospel/Christian 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, Jazz, 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.
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