NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ VH1 PR) - Warner Bros. and VH1 are proud to announce that Jacob Borshard of Portland, Oregon is the winner of the "Your Music, Your Lyrics" songwriting contest.
Inspired by the upcoming romantic comedy "Music and Lyrics," starring Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore, Warner Bros. Pictures partnered with the music and pop culture network to give songwriting hopefuls the chance to have their original love song professionally recorded in the "Your Music, Your Lyrics" contest.
As the winner, Jacob Borshard will be immediately flown with a guest to Los Angeles for the red carpet premiere of "Music and Lyrics" this evening. In addition, his winning song, titled "Grass Stains," will be professionally recorded. Judges for the contest included Grant and Barrymore as well as VH1 music and talent executives.
Running from December 26, 2006 through January, 20, 2007, the "Your Music, Your Lyrics" contest asked contestants to write, record and upload an original love song to a special VH1 site, https://www.talentload.tv. The contest site ultimately received 400 entries while the actual contest page tallied 1.4 million page views to date.
Videos of the entries were streamed via the website and assessed on the basis of theme, lyrics and overall musicality. Entries were rated by online users until February 2 and the top-rated videos were judged by the esteemed panel. The winning song will be posted today on https://www.talentload.tv and https://www.vh1.com.
"We were amazed by the number of high-quality entries," said Mark McIntire, Senior Vice President, Integrated Marketing, VH1. "Online music lovers seemed to agree, visiting the site so often that our page view tally was well over one million. This contest succeeded on every level. We congratulate Jacob on his incredible accomplishment."
Borshard, 28, grew up in Plano, Texas and attended the Art Institute of Chicago. He lived on and taught high school at an Apache Indian reservation in Arizona. Borshard wrote the winning song "Grass Stains" and recorded, shot and edited the video for it himself using the webcam built into his laptop and a trash can for a tripod. He has played the ukulele since he was 15 and recorded two albums in his bedroom.
"I never expected to win a grand prize," said Borshard. "This is a thrilling surprise. It makes me very proud of the work I've put into my music and lyrics."
Opening nationwide on February, 14, 2007, "Music and Lyrics" is the story of Alex Fletcher (HUGH GRANT), a washed-up '80s pop star who's been reduced to working the nostalgia circuit at county fairs and amusement parks. The charismatic and talented musician gets a chance at a comeback when reigning pop diva Cora Corman invites him to write and record a duet with her, but there's a problem - Alex hasn't written a song in years, he's never written lyrics ... and he has to come up with a hit in a matter of days. Enter Sophie Fisher (DREW BARRYMORE), Alex's beguilingly quirky plant lady, whose flair for words strikes a chord with the struggling songwriter. On the rebound from a bad relationship with the newly famous novelist Sloan Cates (CAMPBELL SCOTT), Sophie is reluctant to collaborate with anyone, especially commitment-phobe Alex. As their chemistry heats up at the piano and under it, Alex and Sophie will have to face their fears - and the music - if they want to find the love and success they both deserve.
The film also stars Brad Garrett as Alex's steadfast manager and Kristen Johnston as Sophie's sister, Rhonda, who happens to be one of Alex's biggest fans. Newcomer Haley Bennett plays young pop princess Cora Corman.
Castle Rock Entertainment presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Reserve Room Production: Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore in "Music and Lyrics," also starring Brad Garrett, Kristen Johnston and Campbell Scott. Written and directed by Marc Lawrence, "Music and Lyrics" is produced by Martin Shafer and Liz Glotzer. The executive producers are Nancy Juvonen, Hal Gaba and Bruce Berman. The co-producers are Scott Elias and Melissa Wells. The director of photography is Xavier Perez Grobet. The production designer is Jane Musky. The film is edited by Susan E. Morse, A.C.E. and the music is by Adam Schlesinger. The soundtrack is available on Warner Sunset/Atlantic Records.
"Music and Lyrics" will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. The film has been rated PG-13 for some sexual content. https://www.musicandlyrics.com
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For more information, please contact:
Brett Henne/VH1
212-846-6752
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Marla Weinstein
212-636-5089
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Ella Robinson
212-636-5875
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