(Springdale, AR (Top40 Charts/ Contemporary Christian Music Network International) December marks the last month to enter the 9th Annual International Songwriting Contest hosted by CCMNI (Contemporary Christian
Music Network International). The competition draws contestants from around the world including Australia, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Russia, Austria, South Africa, Canada, UK, USA, and others. The contest announces 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners each quarter, with a "Songwriter of the Year" chosen from among the 4 quarterly 1st place winners. Each entry in the songwriting contest receives a critique from CCMNI's official panel of judges.
Part of the "Songwriter of the Year" prize package includes recording with notable Producer, Jeff Quimby and a radio promotion package at A-Sides
Radio Promotion. Quimby was an A&R Manager and a
Director of Artist Development for Integrity
Music from 2000 through 2008. Quimby has worked as a session musician, live performer and producer in Nashville with artists such as Lincoln Brewster, Big Daddy Weave,
Nicole Nordeman,
Margaret Becker, Charlie Peacock, Susan Ashton, Out Of The Grey, Wayne Watson and Twila Paris. He has spent 10 years working as a drummer and band director for Dove Award-winning artist
Margaret Becker.
While at Integrity, Quimby worked to develop the careers of artists such as Lincoln Brewster, Darrell Evans, Desperation Band, Jared Anderson, Jason Morant, Joel Auge, Worth Dying For, Michael Gungor and Ten Shekel Shirt. His efforts have led to the creation of albums that garnered sales, critical acclaim, Dove Award nominations and Christian radio hits including the No. 1 AC single, "Everlasting God", from Lincoln Brewster and CHR single, "
Ocean", from Ten Shekel Shirt.
Following are the winners of last year's songwriting contest:
1st Place Winner (1st Qtr) - Robert Vandervliet
2nd Place Winner (1st Qtr) - Rebecca Sehnert
3rd Place Winner (1st Qtr) -
Natalie Mary Buntting
1st Place Winner (2nd Qtr) -
Annie Lash
2nd Place Winner (2nd Qtr) - Rusty &
Jessica Rodrigue
3rd Place Winner (2nd Qtr) - Tyler Ellison
1st Place Winner (3rd Qtr) - Michael Whitworth
2nd Place Winner (3rd Qtr) -
Amanda Kind
3rd Place Winner (3rd Qtr) - Mark Tedder
1st Place Winner (4th Qtr) -
Angela Donadio
2nd Place Winner (4th Qtr) -
Christopher Hart
3rd Place Winner (4th Qtr) - Brian Overton, JR Rehm, and Corey Schob
The 2011 "Songwriter of the Year" was awarded to Robert Vandervliet.
"Winning first place in the CCMNI Songwriting Contest has been a real blessing to me. Being acknowledged for excellence in the industry is definitely a boost, and helps set you apart in a sea of talent! Since winning the contest, I have quit my day job and am now pursuing music ministry full-time, which is such a blessing! I would encourage others to enter, because the CCMNI contests are among the best out there -- they give people a real chance, and follow through with real prizes to help out your ministry." said Beth
Champion Mason, 1st place winner from 2004.
Evie Haskell-Herndon, 1st place winner from 2006 had this to say. "The CCMNI Songwriting Contest is a great tool that adds more credibility to my artistry and ministry. Since winning, many exciting opportunities have been presented to me. I had the privilege of opening for Third Day, as well as touring the East Coast for about a month. Since then, I've been pretty busy singing at local churches and venues. I feel like winning this competition has played a key role in phasing out my beginning stages of being a singer/songwriter, and pushed me to go to the next level. Entering the CCMNI Songwriting Contest is really a win-win situation. The entry fee is reasonable, and you not only get the opportunity to further your ministry, but you also get to see where you stand among other great Christian songwriters around the world."
Entries may be submitted at https://ChristianSongwriting.com/enter. Entries for this final quarter must be received by December 31, 2011.
Contemporary Christian
Music Network International (CCMNI) is a membership organization that networks Christian songwriters, worship leaders, artists and bands. With their free membership, you will gain access to interviews, updates, news, industry tips, and the ability to network with other Christian songwriters, worship leaders, artists and bands. CCMNI is the most exciting and fastest growing music organization in existence today. You may go to https://ChristianSongwriting.com for free membership.
