The International Songwriting Competition(ISC) Launches New Music
Competition for Unsigned Artists -- Top Level Record Industry Executives to
Mentor Grand Prize Winner
The world renowned International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has launched a
brand new annual music competition called "Unsigned Only" in order to discover
an outstanding, talented performing artist, band or singer and help them advance
their career to the next level.
Nashville, TN (PRWEB) November 16, 2011
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC), one of the world's largest
songwriting competitions, has launched Unsigned Only, a new, unique
international music competition. Designed for solo artists, bands, and singers
who are not signed to a major record label, Unsigned Only's goal is to find an
outstanding, talented performing artist: a band, singer, or solo artist...a
newcomer or veteran...raw or polished - the “gem” that needs to be discovered.
Unsigned Only is looking for the total package. Judging criteria includes
vocals, performance, songwriting, and originality.
Completely separate and distinct from ISC, Unsigned Only is a fresh and novel
approach to other music competitions. Not only does it offer great prizes,
recognition, exposure, and the chance to be heard by a group of judges
consisting of high-profile recording artists and industry professionals, but it
also takes it a step further and puts the Grand Prize winner in direct, personal
contact with the influential record label executives who are the ultimate
decision makers. For the first time ever, a music competition offers the Grand
Prize winner the unprecedented opportunity to be mentored by a group of record
company presidents, A&R reps, and more. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for
an artist to directly network with the top echelon of record company
professionals and get guidance, advice, feedback, and networking opportunities.
The founders of Unsigned Only, Jim Morgan and Candace Avery, talk about the
new venture: "We are pleased to introduce a new music competition of this
caliber to artists throughout the world. Having worked with a wide variety of
artists over many years, we know that what artists want most is access to record
label professionals. However, it is virtually impossible for most up-and-coming
artists to have direct access to this elite and elusive group of decision
makers. So, Unsigned Only is offering the unprecedented opportunity for the
Grand Prize winner to network with and be mentored by a prestigious group of
record label executives. This has never been done before, and we are excited
about the possibilities it affords the Unsigned Only winner."
The judging panel is comprised of an impressive group of recording artists,
producers, and top-level music journalists. They include: 3 Doors
Down; Manchester Orchestra; Cyndi Lauper; Robert Smith (The Cure); Jeremy Camp;
Craig Morgan; Kelly Clarkson; Steve Lillywhite (Producer); Matt and Kim; St.
Vincent; The Mountain Goats; Josh Jackson (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste
Magazine); Scott Lapatine (Founder, Stereogum); and more to be announced.
The panel of mentors who have signed on to participate is equally impressive.
Included are: Monte Lipman (President of Universal Republic); Pete Ganbarg
(Executive Vice President/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); David Wolter (Senior
VP of A&R, RCA Records); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and
A&R/Capitol Music Group); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, J Records); David Wilkes
(VP of A&R, eOne Music); Pete Giberga (Head of A&R, Razor & Tie Records); Jason
Geter (President, Grand Hustle Records); and more to be announced.
The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded $5,000 in cash (plus additional
prizes) and one-on-one mentoring by an elite group of record company executives.
First Place and Second Place winners will also be selected in each category.
Entries are being accepted now until March 5, 2012. Winners will be announced
in July, 2012. Categories include: AAA (Adult Album Alternative), AC (Adult
Contemporary), Christian Music, Country, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, R&B/Hip-Hop,
Rock, Pop/Top 40, and Vocal Performance.
All entries must be original music except for the Vocal Performance category
which accepts original or cover songs. Judging criteria in the Vocal Performance
category will be based solely on the quality of the vocals, thereby allowing
singers who do not write their own songs the opportunity to enter.
For more information, please contact Candace Avery at cavery(at)unsignedonly(dot)com.
For entry and general information, please go to http://www.unsignedonly.com
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