 Los Angeles, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Antonio Pontarelli Official Website) - It was just announced that Antonio Pontarelli won the People's Voice Award of the International Songwriters Competition (ISC). ISC received over 15,000 entries from 100 countries throughout the world and Pontarelli received the highest number of votes from fans who voted in the competition. ISC has the most prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting and music contests in the world, offering exposure and the opportunity to have original songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music industry. The New York Times is quoted as saying that "ISC is the songwriting competition to take note of." Winning awards is not new for Pontarelli who has won dozens of awards over the years as a songwriter as well as a performing artist. He won his first national championship at age 13 when he became the Grand Champion of "America's Most Talented Kids" which included American Idol winner Jordan Sparks. In 2005 and 2007 he won the ASTA National Alternative Styles Competition for "Best Rock" and the Southern California Music Award for "Best Instrumentalist". In January Pontarelli won the 2008 Inland Empire Music Awards for "Best Rock Band", but this is the first award that was based solely on input from the public. "It is a true honor to win the ISC "People's Voice Award" Pontarelli stated."I am extremely grateful for the overwhelming support from fans all over the world." A classically trained violinist and pianist, Pontarelli's innovative approach in bringing these elements into alternative rock makes him one of the most exciting artists to arrive on the Indie music scene. It is by connecting his Classical and Baroque roots with timeless rock influences such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Tool and System of a Down that this fresh innovative sound is created. The bands' music will soon be heard on the airwaves as they are currently in the studio recording for a late summer CD release and tour. Pontarelli has been involved with numerous projects over the past year, including collaborating with Grammy award winners including Serj Tankian, the voice of "System of a Down" (SOAD) where he added rock violin madness to Tankian's solo CD "Elect the Dead". Tankian called Pontarelli a "great musician that brought ambiance to the music". The album peaked at four on the US Billboard charts. Pontarelli's passion as an artist extends beyond the concert stage. He created a 501c3 non- profit foundation in 2002 to fund projects that put music into the lives of those who are less fortunate. He has done workshops at schools and universities throughout the US and has made Grammy Red Carpet appearances promoting Grammy Camp and music in the schools. On August 30th his band will take a break from their tour to be a special guest of NAMM's Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, CA.
Pontarelli will be giving an "Informance" that reveals some of his secrets to bringing the haunting timeless magic of the violin to popular music. Pontarelli will be playing some unique electric violins from his own collection and unveiling a few from the museum's special exhibit. Advanced ticket purchase recommended at www.museumofmakingmusic.org or (760) 438-5996, ext. 212.
For more artist information on Antonio Pontarelli please visit www.antoniomusic.com or www.myspace.com/antoniopontarelli.
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