Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ ISC) - Renowned music icons Loretta Lynn,
Craig Morgan, Tom Waits, Chris Hillman (The Byrds), and music industry executives Renee Bell (Executive VP A&R, Sony BMG Nashville) and Cameron Strang (President, New West Records), 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 Chaka Khan,
Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20), Ray Davies (The Kinks), Jon Secada, T-Pain, 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 Country and Americana categories 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. Songwriters entering the Country or Americana category may also enter any other categories.
Go to https://www.songwritingcompetition.com to enter songs via mail or online.
The complete list of 2008 ISC judges include:
Recording Artists
Loretta Lynn; Craig Morgan; Tom Waits; John Mayall; Chris Hillman (The Byrds); James Cotton; Jerry Lee Lewis; Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20); Chaka Khan; KT Tunstall; Robert Smith (The Cure); Ricky Martin; Neil Finn (Crowded House); Buckcherry; T-Pain; Ray Davies (The Kinks); McCoy Tyner; Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Michael W. Smith; John Scofield; Mario; Black Francis (The Pixies); Youssou N'Dour; DJ Tiesto; 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
Rene Bell (Executive VP A&R, Sony BMG Nashville); Cameron Strang (President, New West Records); 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); John Echevarria (President, Universal Music Latino); 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); Mitchell Cohen (VP of A&R, Verve Music Group); Dan Storper (President, Putumayo World Music); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); 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 Country and Americana categories, ISC offers 18 other categories, including: Pop/Top 40, AAA (Adult Album Alternative), Rock, Blues, R&B/Hip-Hop, Gospel/Christian, 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 https://www.songwritingcompetition.com
