Renowned Dance/Electronica icons to judge 2008 ISC    ( 23.08.2008 - 19:20 GMT UTC )

    Renowned Dance/Electronica Icons To Judge 2008 International Songwriting Competition (ISC)


    Paul Van Dyk, DJ Tiësto, and Cory Robbins (founder/president, Robbins Entertainment) among the many music celebrities and high-profile music industry executives to choose 2008 ISC winners


    Renowned music icons Paul Van Dyk, DJ Tiësto, and music industry executive Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment) 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 Tom Waits, Chaka Khan, Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20), Ray Davies (The Kinks), Jon Secada, T-Pain, Loretta Lynn, Jerry Lee Lewis, 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 Dance/Electronica category 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. ISC's Dance/Electronica category includes all genres of Dance and Electronica music. Songwriters entering this category may also enter any other categories.


    Go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com to enter songs via mail or online.


    The complete list of 2008 ISC judges include:


    Recording Artists


    Paul Van Dyk; DJ Tiësto; Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20); Chaka Khan; Tom Waits; KT Tunstall; Robert Smith (The Cure); Ricky Martin; Loretta Lynn; Neil Finn (Crowded House); Buckcherry; T-Pain; James Cotton; Jerry Lee Lewis; Craig Morgan; Ray Davies (The Kinks); McCoy Tyner; Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Michael W. Smith; Chris Hillman (The Byrds); John Scofield; Mario; Black Francis (The Pixies); Youssou N'Dour; John Mayall; Jon Secada; Natalie Grant; Jeremy Camp; Matt Thiessen (Relient K); Pittbull; Angelique Kidjo; Sandra Bernhard; "Weird Al" Yankovic; and David Brenner.


    Music Industry Executives


    Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); 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); Cameron Strang (President, New West Records); 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); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Dan Storper (President, Putumayo World Music); Rene Bell (Executive VP A&R, Sony BMG Nashville); 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); 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 Dance/Electronica category, ISC offers 19 other categories, including: Pop/Top 40, AAA (Adult Album Alternative), Rock, Country, Americana, R&B/Hip-Hop, Blues, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Jazz, Latin Music, Instrumental, Gospel/Christian, Comedy/Novelty, World Music, Children's Music, Lyrics Only, Teen, Performance, and Music Video.


    For more information, please go to their official website.


    ISC 2008 sponsors include Luna Guitars, Berklee College of Music, Shure, D'Addario, M-Audio, Griffin Technology, Hear Technologies, PoBoy Drums, Thayers, Disc Makers, ASCAP, Phase One Studios, Stuph Merch, Sonicbids, Sam Ash, Alphabet Arm Design, Shari's Berries, Cakewalk, Taxi, George Stein, Esq., The Music Business Registry, and Onlinegigs.



Links:

Song Writing Competition official website