The John Lennon Songwriting Contest

2012 NAMM Showcase Winners

2011-12-15T14:15:00.000-08:00

As Session II, 2011 comes to a close, we have also chosen the winners to the Lennon Bus and Wanna Play? showcase at the 2012 NAMM show.

A BIG Congrats goes out to:

Alma Desnuda

Morgan Karr

Alma Desnuda and Morgan Karr both won acoustic Epiphone John Lennon EJ-160 Guitars courtesy of Epiphone.

Check them out on the Wanna Play? stage at the 2012 NAMM Show next January along with tons of other great acts. While you're there, also give some love to the Lennon Bus; take a tour, make some friends and, most importantly, keep music alive!

Lennon's 71st Birthday Mini Contest!

2011-09-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

Click To Enter

We're looking for songwriters to submit original songs to the JLSC of any genre that pay respect to the legacy of peace and hope that John Lennon began 71 years ago.

Submit a song to the JLSC between Tuesday September 27th, 2011 and Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 and you'll be entered for the chance to win a new electric Epiphone "Inspired By" John Lennon Casino guitar (MSRP $1665)

If you enter the Lennon 71st Birthday Mini Contest, you will also be entered into Session II, 2011 of the JLSC.

Winners will be announced Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

And the Winners for Session I, 2011 Are...

2011-09-01T12:43:00.001-07:00

A HUGE Congratulations to all of our Session I, 2011 winners! Additionally, we'd like to thank all of you who entered!

Please note that Session II, 2011 s open and accepting entries until December 15, 2011! Please visits: www.jlsc.com for more details about the contest or to enter.

Meghan Trainor Wins Our Valentine's Day Love Song Promotion!

2011-07-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Meghan Trainor, the winner of our Valetntine's Day Love Song Mini Contest. For submitting the best original love song, Meghan won a brand new Epiphone Casino electric guitar and a Mackie Amp! 17-year-old Meghan has been writing, performing, and producing her own music since she was 13, including her JLSC award winning “Learning To Say I Love You.”

Be sure to keep checking the JLSC for more special opportunities!

DEADLINE TODAY!

2011-06-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day to enter your song(s) to win a fully professional Lennon Bus Live music video recorded on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus at Warped Tour!

  Head over to sonicbids to get more details and take advantage of our special promotion.

Enter now!

Session II Now Open With Special 2 Week Promotion! Win the Opportunity to Create Your Very Own Music Video at WARPED TOUR!

2011-06-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

We are currently running a promotion for all those who enter their song(s) by June 29th, 2011 on Sonicbids. You can opt-in to win a fully professional Lennon Bus Live music video recorded on the Lennon Bus at Warped Tour. 1 artist will be selected to join the Tour Bus during one of its Northeast/East Coast date, and 1 artist will be selected for a Mountain/West Coast date. Selected band members will also get Warped Tour VIP experience.

Please head over to Sonicbids for more information about the JLSC and to take part in this special 2 week promotion!

DEADLINE: Tomorrow, June 15, 2011

2011-06-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

...That's right, Session I, 2011 closes TOMORROW so be sure to enter your song(s) asap to compete for our biggest prize package yet, totaling over $275,000 in cash and prizes for our winners! For a quick prize preview, the Song of the Year Prize is a $20,000 check!

Head on over to JLSC.com to learn more about the contest, our prizes, and esteemed panel of judges.

It's time to Enter!

Third Nature - the Grand Prize Winner of Musician's Friend presents the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Video Challenge, Records on the Lennon Bus!

2011-05-31T09:16:00.000-07:00

Third Nature spent some time recording on the Lennon Bus this past weekend in Saratoga Springs, NY! As Grand Prize Winners of the video challenge, Third Nature won: a one-day video and audio recording session on the Lennon Bus, their music on over 17,000 movie screens around the US, courtesy of Sonicbids and over $7,500 in music gear from Gibson, Epiphone, Audio-Technica, Mackie & Avid!

Check in at www.jlsc.com for more special events and thanks again to everyone who entered!

Meet the 2010 Lennon Award Winners!

2011-05-23T12:55:00.000-07:00

We would like to congratulate all 12 of our Lennon Award Winners! Click their names to check out their personal sites, or simply click their category to listen to their winning song!

Pierre Mongeon - Children's

Lauren Strange - Country

Marius Njølstad - Electronic

Mia Friedman - Folk

Wayne Robinson - Gospel/Inspirational

MC Psalmist - Hip-Hop

Tony Lechner - Jazz

Juan Aguirre - Latin

dbClifford - Pop

Brandon K. Knox - R&B

Eliza Callahan - Rock

Chris Jacome - World

A big thanks to all of you who voted in the 2010 Lennon Awards! Session I, 2011
is still open. Be sure to check out www.jlsc.com for more information about the
John Lennon Songwriting Contest and ways to enter!

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus presents: The Alabama Gospel Music Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Winner Results!

2011-05-18T09:30:00.001-07:00

On Monday, May 16th, the 3 contest finalists, Jim Lowe, Wayne Robinson, and Marquita Anthony performed live at Railroad Park in Birmingham, Alabama alongside Ruben Studdard at a benefit concert to help those affected by the April 27th Tornado. Aside from great performances and hugely appreciated donations, Jim Lowe was announced as the Grand Prize Winner of the contest!

Congratulations to Jim! As a Grand Prize Winner, Jim has won an additional Avid Prize Package totaling almost $3,000 (MSRP) consisting of an Mbox, PT 9 Academic, Sibelius 6 Professional, Axiom 49 keyboard controller, a pair of M-Audio CX5 monitors, and a Luna II microphone. Additionally Jim's Grand Prize winning song will be entered into the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and eligible to win the $20,000 Song of the Year!

Thanks again to everyone who entered! Be sure to check in at www.jlsc.com for more special opportunities!

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus presents: The Alabama Gospel Music Songwriting Contest Finalists Results!

2011-05-10T08:24:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to our 3 finalists, Wayne Robinson, Marquita Anthony and Jim Lowe!

As finalists they have won, an Avid Finalist Prize Packages, totaling over $1,000 (MSRP) consisting of PT 9 Academic, Sibelius 6 Professional and an Oxygen 25 keyboard controller.

Additionally, one of the three finalists will be selected as the Grand Prize winner, receiving an additional Avid Prize Package totaling almost $3,000 (MSRP) consisting of an Mbox, PT 9 Academic, Sibelius 6 Professional, Axiom 49 keyboard controller, a pair of M-Audio CX5 monitors, and a Luna II microphone. Additionally the Grand Prize winning song will be entered into the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and eligible to win the $20,000 Song of the Year!

Thank you to all of you who entered! Please follow us on http://www.jlsc.com for more special opportunities!

Shaping Electronic Music in Germany

2011-04-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

Perhaps not as well known now as the French electronic scene, Germany has been producing electronic music acts for decades and has provided inspiration for many artists the world over.

In the late 60's and early 70's an early form of electronic music was formed by mixing the regular rock band instrumentation with electronic instruments and experimental production effects such as those used by the Beatles. Germany branded this genre Kosmische Musik. The term encompassed German electronic groups such as Tangerine Dream, Faust and Kraftwerk.

After the Berlin Wall fell, many recently vacated Eastern Bloc buildings became refuges for DJ's and the underground dance and rave scene. In 1991, Berlin held it's first Mayday Music Festival which has grown into one the the largest electronic music events in Europe. The idea was simple: A huge underground rave based off of a theme composed by the Members of Mayday. The first festival reached an estimated crowd attendance of 5,000. In 1992, they more than doubled that number with around 12,000 attendees. High profile artists like Aphex Twin, Moby and The Prodigy have all performed at Mayday festival and similar Mayday Raves have been set up in Poland and Russia.

German music has had an act emerge in every sub genre of electronic music. You may have heard of such artists as KMFDM, Wumpscut, Rammstein, Apparat, ATB, Digitalism and former JLSC Finalist, Maison Vague. Many of the new groups, like Maison Vague, have talked about how, without the groundwork laid out by artists like Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream, the inspiration for the electronic sound coming out of Germany just wouldn't be there.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus Presents: The Alabama Gospel Music Songwriting Contest

2011-04-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Alabama's great Gospel history, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest wants you to upload your original songs for your chance to shine as a songwriter! Please visit http://www.jlsc.com/alabama_gospel.php for further information regarding this contest as well as submit your songs and lyrics! You could win one of three Avid Finalist Prize Packages, totaling over $1,000 (MSRP) consisting of PT 9 Academic, Sibelius 6 Professional and an Oxygen 25 keyboard controller. One of the three finalists will be selected as the Grand Prize winner, receiving an additional Avid Prize Package totaling almost $3,000 (MSRP) consisting of an Mbox, PT 9 Academic, Sibelius 6 Professional, Axiom 49 keyboard controller, a pair of M-Audio CX5 monitors, and a Luna II microphone. Additionally the Grand Prize winning song will be entered into the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and eligible to win the $20,000 Song of the Year!

As always, the entries will be considered by a panel of esteemed and celebrity judges. Many of you may be familiar with Ruben Studdard, winner of American Idol's 2nd season. He will be both judging your entries as well as performing!

Accompanying Ruben with the judging will be Renowned conductor and arranger Dr. Henry Panion, III (Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Gospel Goes Classical), Kevin Bond, Kurt Carr, Dorinda Clark-Cole (Clark Sisters), Cedric Dent (Take 6), Steven Ford (Richard Smallwood, The Winans), and Aaron Lindsey (Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp), along with Gospel Jazz great Ben Tankard.

Please note that The Alabama Gospel Music Songwriting Contest is only open to Alabama state residents and students, if you fit this criteria and are interested in entering our contest, please go to http://www.jlsc.com/alabama_gospel.php for further details and to enter!

If you are not a resident of Alabama, you need not be discouraged as Session I of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest is still open and accepting entries! If you would like to enter our Session I songwriting contest, please visit http://www.jlsc.com for more details on rules and how to enter.

JLSC Winner Nabs Second Juno Award for Sophomore Album

2011-04-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

The biggest night in Canadian music took place this past weekend in Toronto, ON, and two-time Grand Prize Winner (Gospel Category), Greg Sczebel, was among the star-studded list of winners, including Neil Young, Arcade Fire and Justin Bieber. The soulful singer/songwriter, who was also the winner of the JLSC’s “Toby Gad Experience”, claimed the trophy for “Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year” - the same award he won in 2005 for his debut independent release, “Here to Stay”.

Still buzzing from his win, Sczebel notes that the nomination in this category came as a bit of a surprise to some of his fans. “I’ve had a few fans say they were surprised that my album was nominated in this category because it sounds nothing like a typical Gospel album. But the fans and industry in both the Gospel and mainstream Pop scene have been so supportive of this album, which I think is a testament to the power of music…it can cross borders of any kind if it resonates with listeners.”

Sczebel’s national recognition comes fresh off the heels of receiving 9 nominations in the British Columbia Interior Music Awards, including Pop Album of the Year, Single of the Year for his song “I’ve Got That Feelin” and R&B/Soul Album of the Year.

Lennon Award Voting!

2011-03-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Grand Prize Winners from the 2010 contest are listed below, please vote as they will now compete head to head to determine the 12 Lennon Award Winners!
You may vote once per category per day. Voting is open March 28th - April 27th and the 12 Lennon Award Winners will be announced on May 1st, 2011. Each of the 12 Lennon Awards winners win $1000 in Mackie, Ampeg or Blackheart products, and 1000 custom CD's printed in full color 6 panel digipaks courtesy of Disc Makers worth $1990! Then all 12 Lennon Awards Winners are eligible to win a Mackie Mixer, a pair of Mackie Studio Monitors AND the $20,000 Song of the Year!

JLSC Winner Andrew Belle Boards The Bus And Moves The Crowd At SXSW

2011-03-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

Andrew Belle made a strong impression on the JLSC with his song "The Ladder," which won him the JLSC Pop Grand Prize. Needless to say Belle continued to wow us with his performance at the Gibson Guitar Showroom at SXSW. Check out the pictures below of his performance and visit on-board the Lennon Bus. Also check out his song "The Ladder" HERE

Announcing the Winners of the Musician's Friend presents The John Lennon Songwriting Contest VIDEO CHALLENGE!

2011-03-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

Final judging just wrapped up for the Musician's Friend presents The John Lennon Songwriting Contest Video Challenge. With the hundreds of videos submitted—all packed with incredible talent—we're so glad the voting wasn't left to us.

In the final round, our panel of celebrity judges chose the coveted 3rd, 2nd, and Grand Prize winners based on Presentation, Originality and Creativity, Melody, Vocal Ability and Music, Lyrics and Entertainment.

After 1000s of votes & a grueling review by our judges, we're pleased to announce our WINNERS!

GRAND PRIZE - Third Nature of Saratoga Springs, NY
Lost for Now
Watch the Video

Third Nature is - Tom Best (Drums), Will Dowling (Bass), and Merrick Noyes (Keyboard). Third Nature’s sound depends heavily on the mutual trust of the band mates and their ability to communicate almost telepathically. It is apparent to any audience member at a Third Nature show how close the band mates are musically and personally. Making use of floating synthesized melodies, a thumping bass drum, and euphoric undulating bass lines, Third Nature creates a tangible energy at live shows that keeps crowds sweating and dancing the night away. Third Nature has become the “band to see” for Skidmore college students. Even amongst a student body that has diverse musical tastes, Third Nature has been able to appeal to anyone and everyone who wants to get down. To put it simply, Third Nature knows how to throw the best party in town. Third Nature’s history is rich despite its youth and limited touring experience. Each of the members has known one another, in some way, for their entire lives. Keyboardist Merrick Noyes and drummer Tom Best grew up in the same small town in northwestern Connecticut. As cousins, Noyes and bassist Will Dowling grew up together and fostered each other’s musical development since they first picked up instruments. Dowling met and befriended Best when the trio began to attend the same high school in 2004. They have been playing together ever since. Find them on Facebook or MySpace.

About the Video
Lost for Now was created using a stop-motion compilation of light paintings composed of thousands of photographs with exposures lasting 15 to 30 seconds each. It was produced, filmed, and edited by Calder Wilson, with dedicated contributions from Tom Best and Will Dowling. Thank you also to Ripley Sager, Alex Darell, and Will Sargent for their help. The video was shot in and around the Skidmore College campus in Saratoga Springs, New York and was made possible in part by the Skidmore Student Opportunity Fund. For more information on the video, including screen shots in full resolution, visit @ http://calderwilson.com/

Third Nature's Grand prize includes a one-day video and audio recording session on the Lennon Bus, their music on over 17,000 movie screens around the US, courtesy of Sonicbids and over $7,500 in music gear from Gibson, Epiphone, Audio-Technica, Mackie & Avid!

2ND PLACE - Colin Hatch of Provo, UT
Answer the Phone
Watch the Video

"I’ve always had a passion for songwriting and great hooks. I grew up playing the piano and guitar and listening to The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Beck, and Radiohead. Right now, I’m a Media Music Major at Brigham Young University and I’m the lead singer/multi-instrumentalist for the band Tighty Willis. I’m always writing songs and looking to improve the ones I’ve already written. I was so floored when I found out I placed second in the contest. Thanks to all of you who voted and thanks to Musician’s Friend! Look up Tighty Willis on Facebook and iTunes". Colin's 2nd place prize includes an Epiphone Inspired By Lennon Casino guitar and a $1,000 Musician’s Friend Gift Certificate!

3RD PLACE - Michael Swenson of Largo, FL
Dark Visions & Ghostly Dreams
Watch the Video

Michael Swenson was born in Clearwater, FL. He comes from a very musical family. His mother is a pianist and opera vocalist and his father is a vocalist and plays guitar. Growing up, Michael was exposed to many different kinds of music... classical, jazz, rock, musicals... you name it. He studied french horn and concert percussion and began to play the drums in a band with his brother Steven during his high school years. He has played in jazz combos, orchestra pits, and many different bands and commercial projects since then.

Michael has been mostly a studio musician over the last 8 years and is now moving into his own untitled personal project... of which the song "Dark Visions & Ghostly Dreams" is a part. More announcements regarding an EP will be made in the coming months.

Michael still resides in the Tampa Bay area with his wife Melissa, his son Miles.... and their Catahoula Leopard Dog named "Chupacabra".

"I am absolutely humbled to have gotten third place in this contest. There were many talented people that entered and I am so grateful! Thank you Musician's Friend and the amazing judges at the JLSWC! Also thank you to everyone who voted for me, my good friend Tommy Platt for producing this track with me, and my beautiful and talented wife Melissa Kolmar (who encourages me daily and made me promise to enter this contest!). This is so encouraging as I embark on making my first EP before this summer. Thanks again!!"

Michael's 3rd place prize includes an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE guitar and a $500 Musician’s Friend Gift Certificate!

Song Of The Year, "The Ransom" Performed At NAMM By Madison Violet

2011-02-15T10:09:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day Special! Enter your Love Song to WIN BIG!

2011-02-09T11:19:00.000-08:00

Pour your heart into an original Love Song for your chance to win big this Valentine’s day! Enter your Love Song into the John Lennon Songwriting Contest between February 2nd and February 15th, 2011, and you’ll also be entered for the chance to fall in love with a new Epiphone Casino electric guitar (MSRP $1190) and a Blackheart Amp!

Grand Vanity performs on the Lennon Bus Stage at NAMM

2011-02-08T11:58:00.000-08:00

The John Lennon Songwriting Contest's exclusive partner Sonicbids, was out to find one lucky band to perform at the 2011 NAMM Show. This years winner, Grand Vanity, performed on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus stage and won an Epiphone John Lennon EJ-160E guitar and a Blackheart BH5H amp with a matching BH112 cab!
Check out their performance!

Song Of The Year Winner Madison Violet Performs At NAMM

2011-02-01T08:03:00.000-08:00

This year the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus made its annual stop at the 2011 NAMM show in Anaheim, CA. It was a landmark year, announcing AVID’s partnership with the Lennon Bus, and having Grammy nominated artist and JLSC judge Natasha Bedingfield perform! But perhaps the best moment was welcoming John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Song of the Year winners Madison Violet onstage to play their winning song "The Ransom". Check out photos from the event, and make sure to check back for video!

Photo L-R: SVP of Marketing at AVID- Ron Greenberg. Lisa MacIsaac and Brenley MacEachern of Madison Violet. Grammy nominated artist- Natasha Bedingfield. Former New York Yankee- Bernie Williams. Executive Director of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and John Lennon Songwriting Contest- Brian Rothschild.

Madison Violet performs on the Lennon Bus Stage.

On-board the Lennon Bus with Brian Rothschild and Madison Violet.

Madison Violet with their $20 000 check in front of the Lennon Bus.

Announcing: Congratulations Collette! Winner of the May We All Shine On! Original Holiday Song Contest

2011-01-10T20:40:00.000-08:00

Collette's winning song "Keep Christmas Alive" can be heard by clicking the image below!
As the winner, Collette will be receiving Sibelius 6, an Apple iPod Shuffle and a new Epiphone Guitar!

JLSC Winner, Greg Sczebel, releases a Christmas single!

2010-12-14T09:31:00.001-08:00

Greg Sczebel, previous winner of the Gospel category and winner of the Toby Gad Fly Away, has released a Christmas single, “A Little More Time With You.” Available now exclusively on http://gregsczebel.bandcamp.com/ . Go get it!

Matt Cusson, 2008 JLSC Song Of The Year Winner, to release new album Jan. 11, 2011 on Spectra Records

2010-12-14T09:29:00.000-08:00

A note from Matt:

“Hey all!

Happy holidays to everyone! Just wanted to quickly remind you that:

"One of Those Nights" has been released as a sneak preview by Spectra Records to Itunes and Amazon. Pick up your copy today!!! Street release date is Feb 14th so be on the lookout! It's peaked at #11 on jazz charts for Itunes and Amazon, and with your help we can get it to #1. Attached is cover for the CD. Matt's debut self-titled album will also be in stores on Jan 11th, and will be available online at Target, Best Buy, Borders...etc.

ALSO, Dec 15th, Pittsfield, MA at the Colonial Theater, Matt will be bringing some of his most talented friends to perform in his hometown. Don't miss it if you're in the area! Matt will be singing some of his favorite Christmas songs, as well as a couple tunes from his debut CD and a one or two never before heard songs. Pick up your tickets at https://tickets.thecolonialtheatre.org or by calling (413) 997-4444. Get them soon because they are selling fast! Attached is the flyer.

Matt is currently in Europe performing in Amsterdam, Paris, London, Zurich and Stockholm. Look out for a possible promo tour for "One of Those Nights' next year, and most importantly, the 2nd album will be finishing up!

Happy holidays to everyone. We will catch up with you in the new year!

Best wishes!”

Lunic needs your help - VOTE VOTE VOTE!

2010-12-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

A note from Lunic:

“Hey guys,
We need your help. Please vote for us every day from now until Dec. 20th so we can go on tour! We're a finalist in two competitions this year, and we're very close to winning them both. So please vote & tell your friends. Don't forget to check your spam folder. Thank you!!
Love,
Kaitee, Megan, Arya, Tyler, & Nick”

1. Jansport: SXSW Showcase - Austin, TX
- VOTE LINK (http://jansport.sonicbids.com/BandDetails.aspx?b=23825&sr=false&bn=Lunic)

2. Converse: US Tour
- VOTE LINK (http://getoutofthegarage.sonicbids.com/BandDetails.aspx?b=20722&sr=false&bn=Lunic)

- lunicmusic.com

JLSC Winners, the Flannery Brothers, released a CD and is giving away an album for FREE!

2010-12-14T09:26:00.000-08:00

A note from Flannery Brothers:

“On October 18th, we released our newest CD, The New Explorers Club, to rave reviews. To celebrate its release, we are giving away another full album absolutely free from www.flannerybrothers.com.
It's called Dance Songs for Silly Kids and it includes a remix of the song "One Wasn't Enough" which was a Lennon Award winner a few years back.“ - Flannery Brothers

- flannerybrothers.com

Musician's Friend presents: The John Lennon Songwriting Contest Video Challenge!

2010-11-18T10:51:00.000-08:00

This is HUGE and.... ready for it... FREE!

Now is the time to share your music video with others! Who knows, it may land you a Recording Session on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, a new Gibson Guitar, Audio-Technica mics, or some serious attention generated from movie screens across the nation!

It doesn’t have to be a professional recording, grab a video camera and share your music with the world! Check out details below and click through to the Musician’s Friend facebook page.

Peace!

30th Annual John Lennon Tribute @ Beacon Theater Tonight, presented by Theatre Within

2010-11-12T10:21:00.000-08:00

Conceived from his passing, John Lennon’s life and spirit was honored by a gathering of mourning artists and appalled friends. Since, the gathering has become an annual tribute benefiting music communities, sending positive life messages, and honoring the great life we all miss so much.

This year, the Tribute will benefit the Playing For Change Foundation. This foundation’s goal is to “Create positive change through music education for all musicians and their communities.” (playingforchange.org)

If nothing about this event has caught your attention as impressive or inspiring yet, maybe understanding who is performing and attending will change your mind. Jackson Brown, Patti Smith, Cyndi Lauper, Aimee Mann, Keb’ Mo’, Joan Osborne, Martin Sexton, Taj Mahal, and many more will each perform one or two John Lennon songs!

Check out more on the event and it’s background here: www.lennontribute.org

WINNER UPDATE: Village Kid announces last show of 2010 before heading into the studio.

2010-11-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

JLSC Session I, 2010 Jazz Grand Prize winner, Village Kid, is gearing up for their last show of 2010 at The Velvet Lounge near Perth, Australia. The show is next Thursday, November 11 at 8pm!

Village Kid, forming late in 2009, has already tackled what many bands would consider a successful first 5-10 years or even a career. Usually, bands this young are still trying to pull their own weight at open mics and hole-in-the-wall bars. Maybe getting a gig as an opener for an opener, or being some sort of cover band should be where they are at in their career, right? Nah… Village Kid has already burned through a tour with Thirsty Merc, supported The Black Sorrows, won the JLSC, and released their debut EP, “Colourful Girl,” to a sold out crowd at The Paramount in Northbridge, Perth.

To finish a huge first year, Village Kid will be heading into the studio this December to record their next EP. So, look out for their EP sometime next year. Or, knowing Village Kid, it might just find you.

“Village Kid are really, really good.” – X-press Magazine, September 2010

“Aaron Malone is a damn good vocalist.” – Spaceship News, June 2010

“These guys have some real talent for playing and writing.” – Drum Media, May 2010

source: www.villagekidband.com

Announcement Update: Monday, Nov. 15 winners TBA on jlsc.com

2010-11-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who submitted a John Lennon inspired song to the special 70th Birthday Anniversary Songwriting Contest. We are currently listening to your entries and Yoko Ono will select the big winner! Winners will be announced Monday, November 15 on jlsc.com.

In honor of John Lennon's 70th Birthday anniversary, upload your Lennon inspired songs! Winner selected by YOKO ONO!

2010-10-07T11:27:00.001-07:00

Contest Period: Sept 23rd - Oct 29th, 2010
Winner Announced: November 15th, 2010
One Winner And Two Runners Up Awarded.
All Genres are accepted.

Enter your Lennon inspired song from any genre into the John Lennon Songwriting Contest between September 23rd and October 29th, 2010 and you'll also be entered for the chance to win a new electric Epiphone "Inspired By" John Lennon Casino guitar (MSRP $1665) and GHS Strings, or one of two Sibelius and Apple iPod Shuffle prize packs as runner up!

This special opportunity also automatically enters your song into the John Lennon Songwriting Contest's open Session II, 2010 at no additional cost! Making you eligible for the biggest prize package to date, totaling over $275,000 in cash and prizes. An international songwriting contest that began in 1997, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest is open to amateur and professional songwriters who submit entries in any one of 12 categories. The JLSC features two Sessions - with 72 Finalists, 24 Grand Prize Winners, 12 Lennon Award Winners and 1 Song of the Year.

WINNER UPDATE: Lemon Sun performs "Same Old Ground"

2010-10-04T14:16:00.000-07:00

JLSC Rock Grand Prize Winner's, Lemon Sun created the ultimate foot stomping, make you want to sing at the top of your lungs song when they wrote "Same Old Ground". We are not the only one to sing praises of Lemon Sun's genius. Check it out!

"The stomp and swagger is innately here, draped in flourishes both familiar and intangible. For each instance of soul drenched vocals there’s a jangly guitar riff or a circus-like vibe in the mix. For all the stomp the band delivers it probably wouldn’t sound right without the scratchy, throaty vocals of Rob Kolar who croons as good as he can let loose." BOOTLEG MAGAZINE

"With grinding guitars that circle the music with a punch to the gut and pinch to the cheeks, you can’t help but sing along." URB MAGAZINE (Cherri Moon)

"As hard-charging brilliant as anything I’ve heard in that venue in the last decade-plus." LA RECORD (Ron Garmon)

"There's a very simple thing going on here. Effortless charm...Lemon Sun are a versatile local pop outfit with a sound that employs all your fave 60's-jangle-harmony-beat conventions without the tired retro smarm. It's ridiculously pleasant, charismatic guitar-pop without pretense. Refreshing. Keep it simple, silly!" AMOEBA RECORDS (Joel Black)
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/lemonsun#ixzz11QVLyRpZ

WINNER UPDATE: Peter Černohorský Rocks With Tommy Lee

2010-09-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

2009 Session II Country finalist Peter Černohorský will appear on rocker Tommy Lee's
new single "Time Bomb" . The Vancouver based guitarist and songwriter's solo was
handpicked by Tommy and producer Scott Humphrey.
Lee's new album A Public Disservice Announcement with his band Methods Of Mayhem
was recorded using submitted parts from musicians around the globe.
"I am truly honored to be part of this groundbreaking record," Černohorský says.
"There has even been talk of me hitting the stage with Tommy when the tour comes through town."
The album will be released worldwide September 21.

*Watch Tommy Lee listen to Peter's Submission*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwpcRZPxLAk

Vancouver Province Article
http://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/Tommy+tune+features+local+guitarist/3407009/story.html

www.myspace.com/cernohorsky

GuitarTown Takes Over Sunset Strip

2010-08-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

This August Gibson Guitar and The Sunset Strip came together to create the public arts project titled GuitarTown. This primarily outdoor exhibit features 25 ten-foot tall fiberglass Gibson Les Paul model guitars which line The Sunset Strip. Each guitar is designed to celebrate iconic musicians and locations who made the 1.6 miles so popular.
Each guitar was created by a local or nationally acclaimed visual artist depicting a musician, personality or artist unique to the Strip's history and Gibson Guitar.

Source: http://www.chinashopmag.com/2010/08/guitartown-invades-the-sunset-strip/

Lennon's Lost Letter

2010-08-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

It could be said that there is nothing more inspiring than words of encouragement. It could also be said there is nothing more tragic than words of your hero falling upon def ears.

A British folk signer by the name of Steve Tilton received a letter from John Lennon and Yoko Ono 34 years late. The message: “Being rich doesn't change your experience in the way you think.”
"The only difference, basically, is that you don't have to worry about money -- food -- roof etc.
"But all other experiences -- emotions -- relationships -- are the same as anybodies, I know, I've been rich and poor, so has Yoko (rich -- poor -- rich) so whadya think of that.

"Love John and Yoko."

Steve Tilston was a rising star (who like most of us) questioned the impact money would have on his life. It was 1971 when Tilston then 21 years of age, shared his thoughts in an interview in the pages of a magazine called ZigZag. It was this article that moved Lennon to pick up his pen and share honest words of encouragement.

The tragedy of this story is that the letter never made it to Tilson, but rather surfaced in 2005 in an American collectors possession. Knowledge of the letter became public when the collector reached Tilson to discuss the letters validity.

Tilson’s reaction to the prized possession he never knew was rightfully his? "It was so frustrating because Lennon even included his home phone number on the top of the letter," "I know it's silly but I wanted to ring him up across the ages."
Tilson also added that he: "felt rather angry to start with to think that someone had just sold the letter rather than passing it on to me, but you have to let these things go."

Perhaps the saying “you don’t know what you’ve got till its gone” is like pouring salt in a wound in this case, but I do believe although John’s letter did not reach Tilson in a timely manor, perhaps the message still did. John’s music was not just powerful, it was a letter of inspiration to us all.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/entertainmentbritainmusicpeoplelennon

Please Vote for Jackie Evancho on "America's Got Talent"

2010-08-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

2009 Session 1 Grand Prize Country Winner, Dave Tough’s song writing partner, James Breedwell, just landed a cut with the over night sensation on “America’s Got Talent”, ten year old Jackie Evancho. After wowing judges with her inspiring opera performance, Jackie’s future looks very bright, as does her chance to win the talent contest.

Jackie’s performance made her the most-searched person on Google Wednesday morning, and put her in the ranks of great performers such as Charlotte Church. Do you think shows like “America’s Got Talent” are a good way to expose artists like Jackie? Would you ever consider audition for said programs?

Please vote for Jackie Evancho on “America’s Got Talent”!

WINNER UPDATE: Patricia Vonne embarks on European tour

2010-08-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

After four albums, an impressive touring schedule, and eight years in the industry, 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest Session 1 Latin Grand Prize winner, Patricia Vonne, is a seasoned veteran in the world of Latin music. Her transcendent career has combined the styles and genres associated with Texas with an innovative and exciting Latin flair. Vonne’s amalgamation of styles has earned her the title of the “Renaissance woman of Austin, Texas” by the New York Times, as well as comparisons to Calexico, The Mavericks, Lucinda Williams, and Nick Cave. This fall, Vonne will embark on her 19th tour of Europe in support of her most recent album “Worth It”. Recorded with notable Austin producer, Carl Thiel, this album is a continuation of Vonne’s exciting and intriguing musical career, and is a medium for further exploration. Featuring songs such as “Gin and Platonic” and “Castle Walls”, Vonne’s LP combines passionate love songs with heartfelt tales of empathy for a troubled friend.
“Worth It” showcases the musical talents of Robert LaRoche, founding guitar player and collaborator formerly of Virgin Recording artists "The Sighs", "drummer Dony Wynn (who has toured and recorded with stars like Robert Palmer and Brooks & Dunn, among many others) and bassist Scott Garber (whose many credits include work with Giant Sand, The Indigo Girls, Timbuk 3, Alejandro Escovedo, The Silos, The Sidewinders/Sand Rubies and Ronnie Lane, to name some but hardly all). Furthermore Rick Del Castillo of Austin’s Del Castillo brings his “wondrous gut-string flamenco guitar playing” to the mix, San Antonio’s Joe Reyes “burns on electric guitar”, and Austin pop-rock maestro Darin Murphy “wails on harmonica.”
Vonne plans to continue touring in the late summer and fall of 2010. Describing one of her performances, Maverick said "nothing could have prepared me for this extraordinary gig. You know how it is when you’ve seen the best gig in your life? Well, for me it’s probably still Led Zeppelin at the Royal Albert Hall in 1969. But this one came mighty close…." Vonne will be playing at Sam’s Burger Joint with The Texas Tornados in San Antonio, Texas on August 13, Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa August 18-22, Buddy Holly Center’s Showcase 2010 in Lubbock, Texas on September 2, Texas on Tour in Denver Colorado on September 3, and The Continental Club in Austin, Texas on September 24 before leaving for Europe.

SOURCE: http://www.patriciavonne.com/

FINALIST UPDATE: Lunic to release new single!

2010-08-09T09:29:00.001-07:00

Lunic, an indie rock band fronted by violist/songwriter Kaitee Page, has described their sound as an “in-your-face Paramore meets Flogging Molly meets early Alanis Morissette.” With such a myriad of influences, it’s hard to categorize this up and coming New York-based band. Nevertheless, their expansive sound has won them an abundance of acclaim, and positions at many festivals and prestigious venues all over the country. These include South By Southwest, Summerfest, Surface Unsigned Music Festival, as well as opening gigs for Moby, Creed, Company of Thieves, Dredg, Meiko, Bell X1, and Hypernova. Lunic’s debut album “ Lovethief” was released on May 14th, 2009, and was funded completely by Lunic fans via crowd-sourcing website, Sellaband.com. This method of album funding gained recognition through ABC’s Good Morning America and the New York Times, and has paved the way for many independent artists.
Lunic’s new single, “Oh No Yoko!” is done recording, and ready for release. However, in order to release it, Lunic needs to raise at least 50% of their goal on Sellaband.com. Currently, they have sold 29% of their desired amount. To pre-order their new CD for $10, and listen to a preview of “Oh No Yoko!” visit sellaband.com/lunic. Lunic will be playing on August 13 at Valentine’s in Albany, NY, August 14 at Nickstock in Owego, NY, and August 21 at WEQX Unplugged in Saratoga Springs, NY. Furthermore, they will be playing Midpoint Music Festival with notable bands such as Phantogram, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s.

SOURCE: http://lunicmusic.com/fr_home.cfm

WINNER UPDATE: Brian Swartz performance at Hollywood Bowl

2010-08-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

After starting his own group in 1996, recording a live album and a tribute to Chet Baker, and playing in some of Los Angeles’s best swing bands, Brian Swartz has secured a position as one of the most promising names in contemporary jazz. Swartz’s quintet has featured some of LA’s best jazz musicians such as saxophonists Keith Fiddmont, George Harper and Ben Clatworthy; pianists Brad Mehldau, Billy Childs, John Beasley, Bob Florence, Theo Saunders and Bill Cunliffe; bassists Jeff Littleton, Kevin Axt, Jeff D’Angelo and Darek Oles; and drummers Lorca Hart, Dick Weller and Aaron Serfaty. Along with regular performances, Swartz teaches private trumpet lessons to many young Los Angles trumpeters. Swartz’s jazz composition “Down with Downs” was chosen as a Grand Prize winner in Session 1 of the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
On July 28th, Swartz had the pleasure of performing at the Hollywood Bowl with the Dave Douglas Big Band. Dave Douglas is one of today’s most influential and prolific jazz trumpet players/composers. The performance also featured bassist Dave Holland’s Big Band and the Count Basie Orchestra.

SOURCE: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=1080

WINNER UPDATE: Peter Torsiello & Liliana de Leon Have Hopes for Music Licensing

2010-08-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

At the age of 16, Peter Torsiello had no idea that his song “Telephone’ll Have to Do,” written for his high school sweetheart, Liliana de Leon, would have such a large impact on their future. Not only did the song expose the musical chemistry of two talented artists, it was also licensed as a full feature for a 60 second spot in the primetime ABC series “Third Watch.” As their romantic relationship culminated in a marriage, Peter and Liliana’s musical connection was blooming into the popular Latin band Florypiedra. Combining Mambo and Flamenco into a style they called “Mambenco,” Florypierda has helped pave the way for many up and coming Latin musicians and have lent their craft to education and musical direction.

Recently, Peter and Liliana created a full evening presentation at the prestigious Herberger Theater with elementary school students from Phoenix, AZ. After teaching with the conservatory for over a year, Peter considers this to be one of his biggest accomplishments. Peter is also the Director of Music at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church in Malibu, CA and leader of St. Paul the Apostle’s contemporary music group on Sunday evenings in Los Angeles. Furthermore, Liliana has released an instructional DVD on all aspects of Flamenco choreography. In 2009, Peter and Liliana won the Lennon Award for their Latin composition “Vamo Ya,” which they hope to one day license to television and film. Florypiedra continues to tour, and regularly plays at de la Cruz Bistro in Mesa, Arizona.

SOURCE: http://www.florypiedra.com/florypiedra.html

WINNER UPDATE: Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers Will Release Instructional Guitar DVD

2010-08-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers is an extremely prolific contributor to all aspects of the music business. As a musician, writer, and editor, Rodgers has found an abundance of success through his published articles, full length CD’s, and books. Rodgers is also the founding editor of Acoustic Guitar Magazine and has interviewed rock legends such as Jerry Garcia and Elvis Costello. Furthermore, Rodgers teaches courses on songwriting and magazine editing at Syracuse University. He has also started a songwriter concert series and the Words and Music record label. Rodgers was a 2008 John Lennon Songwriting Contest Lennon Award winner in the Country category for his song “Fly.”

Heavily influenced by the musical style and direction of the Grateful Dead, Rodgers decided to begin incorporating some of their classic compositions into his live performances. These performances inspired the recording of “Dead to the Core,” a stripped down, acoustic album of Grateful Dead Covers. In addition to the LP, Rodgers taped “Learn Seven Grateful Dead Classics for Acoustic Guitar” (Homespun Tapes), with instruction on how to play all of the songs on the album, plus “Friend of the Devil.” The DVD is due for an August, 2010 release.

SOURCE: jeffreypepperrodgers.com

News and Updates: Session I Announcements, Facebook, and the Gulf!

2010-08-06T09:03:00.001-07:00

The weeks since the close of Session I 2010 have flown by, and September 1st quickly approaches. We know it has been a long wait for our contestants, but in about three and a half weeks your waiting will be at an end. Our esteemed judges are still in the midst of the adjudication process, listening and re-listening to your songs as they narrow down the multitudes of entries into just a few top choices. Hang in there a little longer – we are as excited to hear the judges’ selections as you are! As you wait on the edge of your seats, why not pass the time by listening to past winners from the 2009 contest?

We know that you love reading our blog and following us on Twitter, but we also have a Facebook page, and we want you to be a fan! On September 1st, we are going to randomly select one of our Facebook fans to receive an Apple iPod Shuffle. Follow the banner below to our page, and be sure to click “like” so you have a chance at this great prize.

Many of you are already aware of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, a non-profit vehicle outfitted with state-of-the-art video and audio equipment from our sponsors that travels the country to help promote music education. This month, the Lennon Bus is in the running for a $250,000 Pepsi Refresh grant to help communities on the Gulf Coast. Click here to read about the bus’ Oil on Canvas project and how it will benefit Gulf communities. Please tell your family and friends about this great opportunity for the bus and vote once a day! Only the top two projects with the most votes will receive a grant, and the bus needs YOUR help!

HONORABLE MENTION UPDATE: The Premiere Praised by Critics

2010-08-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

In addition to choosing one grand prize winner and three finalists for every musical genre in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, judges also identify five artists to receive honorable mentions in each category. Among others in the Hip-Hop category of Session II 2009, The Premiere, consisting of David Jackman and Adam Wilkey, was chosen as one such honorable mention for the duo’s song, “Unexplained Freedom.”

The band from Arizona, who describes their musical style as a cross between “hip-hop electro rock” and “new wave grunge rap,” cites early Green Day albums as a source of inspiration. Their debut album, “London Paris New York,” was released to a plethora of positive reviews from music publications. The Phoenix New Times lists The Premiere as one of Arizona’s top twelve hip-hop acts and declares their “phenomenal album” to be “a monster mash-up of rap, rock, and new wave.” Java Magazine’s remarks are in a similar vein; writers from that publication believe that The Premiere is “teetering on the brink of stardom.”

For hip-hop fans everywhere, The Premiere is clearly a group to watch in the coming years. The duo will release a new album in 2010, entitled “Antennae,” so those interested should be sure to track down a copy.

SOURCE: http://www.myspace.com/thepremieremusic
SOURCE: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Premiere/124268674275251

WINNER UPDATE: Abbie Gardner Performed at Merlefest 2010

2010-08-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

Abbie Gardner grew up in a home filled with music; her father, Herb Gardner, is a jazz pianist and trombonist. He is also the man responsible for helping Abbie find one of her current favorite vocalists and musical inspirations: Billie Holiday. Abbie began her musical endeavors as a classical flutist, but she found her true passion in 2004 when she started playing Dobro.

Since switching instruments, Gardner has released several independent, full-length albums. She also spends much of her time playing with an Americana group, Red Molly, which has also released albums of its own. The last six years have been filled with success for Gardner. Red Molly has spent much time at the top of the Radio & Records Americana chart, and Gardner herself was named a Grand Prize Winner in the Folk category of the 2008 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for her song, “The Mind of a Soldier.” Gardner went head-to-head in a fan vote-off against the other Folk winner of that year’s contest, David Llewellyn, but it was Gardner who ultimately won the Lennon Award for the category.

Gardner continues to thrive in the music community. This past May, she performed at the well-known Americana music festival, Merlefest, to an audience of over 70,000. Gardner has also begun her lifelong dream of attending music school, a testament to her devotion toward music.

Though attending music school is a time-consuming activity, Gardner still has plans for several performances later this year. Check the list below to see if she will be playing at a venue near you.

TOUR DATES:
09/12/10: Jalopy Theater w/ Pat Wictor (Brooklyn, NY)
10/22/10: Poughkeepsie Tennis Club w/ Craziest Dream Band (Poughkeepsie, NY)
11/28/10: Perks and Corks w/ Marc Douglas Berardo (Westerly, RI)

SOURCE: http://www.abbiegardner.com/
SOURCE: http://www.myspace.com/abbiegardner

WINNER UPDATE: Matt Cusson Signs with Spectra Records

2010-08-03T14:35:00.001-07:00

It was announced last month that folk duo Madison Violet had won the 2009 Song of the Year award, the highest honor that the John Lennon Songwriting Contest offers. The JLSC staff looks forward to Madison Violet’s continued success in years to come, both on tour and in the recording studio.

Winning the Song of the Year is a huge milestone in an artist’s career. 2008 Song of the Year winner Matt Cusson would surely agree with this statement, as his musical endeavors have continued to flourish since last July, when he was surprised by his touring partner, Brian McKnight, the JLSC executive director, Brian Rothschild, and Maxell president, Masuru Kamemoto, with the $20,000 prize check.

In recent months when not on tour, Cusson took his talents to television where he performed as part of the house band on The Brian McKnight Show. Now he is back on the road – Cusson was selected to sing as part of the international “Man in the Mirror” tour, a Michael Jackson tribute currently in Europe. Performers on tour have hopes that “Man in the Mirror” will add dates in America and Asia in the future.

On Thursday, July 22, 2010, Cusson announced some of his most exciting news yet: Spectra Records has signed him to an international distribution deal for the song that earned him his JLSC prizes, “One of Those Nights.” This is a truly exciting adventure for Cusson, and with the great potential for success of his single on Spectra Records there is a possibility that he could release a full album through the label.

SOURCE: http://spectrajazz.blogspot.com/2010/07/spectra-jazz-signs-john-lennon.html

Warped Tour Winners K-Será Work With Creative Allies

2010-08-03T13:53:00.000-07:00

Each year, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest holds a mini-contest, the winner of which gets to perform on a leg of the Warped Tour during the summer. 2010's winners, K-Será, teamed up with Creative Allies to find a designer for their T-shirts and posters. Check out the great video below for some of the action on board the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus!

FINALIST UPDATE: Casey Desmond Performed in Private Industry Showcase

2010-08-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

Casey Desmond, a finalist in the 2005, 2008, and 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (Pop, Electronic, and Pop categories, respectively), has had quite a bit of exciting news to share recently. In addition to a slew of songwriting titles she has earned over the past several years, numbering more than twenty placements in various contests, Desmond’s music has been used in a variety of television programs, and she has shared the stage and/or collaborated with many big names in the music industry: Amy Winehouse, Duffy, David Cook, Johny Lange, Ed Kowaszyk (from The Live), The Motels, Luka Rossi, and Kate Voegel. To top it all off, Desmond was recently hired as a composer for Oprah’s HARPO productions and Studio 51 film library.

Desmond’s long list of accomplishments has garnered her attention from top producers, such as Anthony J. Resta (Elton John, Collective Soul, Shawn Mullins, Duran Duran), and songwriters, such as Robert Ellis Orral (Taylor Swift, Lindsay Lohan, Love and Theft). And her high quality music doesn’t end in the recording booth – Desmond puts careful thought into her live shows. She has an education in illustration and fashion design, which helps inform the 80’s electropop style of her stage shows; David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, and Blondie are some of her inspirations there.

Desmond will release a new EP this fall called “Heart Shaped Faces.” On July 28, 2010, she held a private preview party at The Canal Room in New York City where those in attendance got to hear some of her new songs for the first time. According to Desmond, the event was “geared toward giving fans, press, labels, and publishing companies a taste of what’s to come.”

SOURCE: http://www.myspace.com/caseydesmond

Help Provide A Voice for the Gulf Community

2010-08-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

Many of you are probably aware of the Pepsi Refresh Project, which awards a $250,000 grant to a cause that earns the most votes from the public. We are pleased to announce that the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is one of the causes in this year's project. The bus travels all over the United States each year, giving students the opportunity to learn about music production and helping them to pursue careers of which they might not otherwise have been aware. If awarded the grant, the bus and its staff will participate in a project called "Oil on Canvas," in which students will use the facilities on the bus to express themselves through artwork. These paintings will be auctioned off and the funds will go toward areas affected by the oil spill in the gulf.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus needs your help. Please sign up on the Pepsi Refresh Project and vote for the bus every day! Voting ends on August 31st, and $250,000 will be awarded to the two causes with the most votes.

WINNER UPDATE: Color Theory Releases “The Individual Edition CD”

2010-08-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

Brian Hazard claims that he started learning music “relatively late” in life at the seasoned age of thirteen. Though it’s true that many musicians pick up their first instrument at a younger age, Hazard’s supposed disadvantage hasn’t set him behind his peers. After being trained in classical piano and listening to a lot of Depeche Mode, Hazard has used his musical abilities in combination with his love for computers to create a style of music that he calls “electronic indie piano pop” and performs under the name Color Theory.

Since the mid-1990’s, Color Theory has released eight albums: “Sketches in Grey” (1994), “Tuesday Song” (1997), “Perfect Tears” (1999), “Life’s Fairytale” (2001) “Something Beautiful” (2002), “Color Theory Presents Depeche Mode” (2003), and “The Thought Chapter (2008). In addition to this prolific track record of album releases, Color Theory also earned a Lennon Award in the 2008 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for the Electronic song, “If It’s My Time To Go.”

Color Theory is set to release another album, entitled “The Sound,” this week, but this record sets a new standard for the artist’s creativity; in addition to giving buyers “The Sound,” Color Theory also made available a limited edition, personalized CD of unique mixdowns of each of the songs. Only twenty copies of “The Individual Edition CD” were released, making the album a true collector’s item.

For more information about ordering Color Theory’s “The Sound,” click here.

SOURCE: http://colortheory.com/
SOURCE: http://www.myspace.com/colortheory

Television: A Great Way to Expose Artists

2010-07-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

Television has always been an important medium through which artists can raise awareness about their music. Without “The OC,” Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek” may never have been introduced to mainstream audiences, and void of “Entourage” exposure, Cold War Kids would be significantly less well-known. Licensing music to television is mutually beneficial, as the artist reaches new audiences, and the show is not expected to pay exuberant fees. Shows like “Gossip Girl” and “Scrubs” introduce the masses to music that they would not ordinarily hear on their local hit radio station, and spark exciting conversations about the soundtracks of last night’s episodes. Furthermore, theme songs are a lucrative method of showcasing the talents of various composers and songwriters.

Several John Lennon Songwriting Contest winners have gone on to license their music for television. Among these are The Swear, Laura DiStasi, Gaby Moreno, and Andrew Belle. Because they lent their music to popular network television programs, these artists have inspired many to research their songs, and subsequently buy their music.

The Swear has been featured on “Jersey Shore,” “Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew,” “View of the City," “A Decade of Cribs," “Disaster Date,” “Valemont,” “Always Wasted,” Converse commercials, “Tool Academy,” “Cribs,” and many more programs. Laura DiStasi’s music has been featured on “Melrose Place” and “Mercy”. Along with her Emmy nominated theme song for “Parks and Recreation,” Gabby Moreno’s music has been featured on “Lincoln Heights,” “The Hills,” and “Ghost Whisperer.” Finally, Andrew Belle’s songwriting talents have been showcased on “One Tree Hill,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “90210,” and “Pretty Little Liars.”

As a suggestion, to safely and securely license music, one should research reliable internet resources for assistance. In order to copyright music, one should visit eCO Online System and create an account. A tutorial on how to properly copyright can be found here.

SOURCE: http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/how2copyright.htm
SOURCE: http://www.seventeen.com/cosmogirl/andrew-belle-unsigned-find
SOURCE: http://gabymoreno.ning.com/
SOURCE: http://www.last.fm/music/Laura+Distasi
SOURCE: http://www.theswear.com/news.cfm
SOURCE: http://www.lauradistasi.com

JLSC Facebook Page: Become A Fan

2010-07-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

In addition to our blog, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest wants to keep you up to date on Facebook as well. Our new Facebook page has some great content, including current contest news and pictures of past winners and finalists. Plus, as an added bonus, the JLSC will be selecting at random one of the fans of the page to receive one Apple iPod Shuffle. For a chance to win, click on the banner below and click "like." Be sure to tell your friends to do the same!

WINNER UPDATE: The Swear to Be Featured on “The Jersey Shore”

2010-07-29T09:10:00.001-07:00

Eight years ago, a rock musician by the name of Elizabeth Elkins was a Grand Prize Winner in the 2002 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for the song “Deception Bay.” Now, Elkins continues to pursue her musical dreams by performing with alternative rock group The Swear. Thus far, the group has released two albums – “Every Trick’s A Good One” (2005) and “Hotel Rooms and Heart Attacks” (2008) – and has been the subject of many positive reviews. Guitar Player Magazine captures the essence of their unique sound by naming the group “rock warriors with a total command of meaty riffs, feedback swells, dynamics, and churning, crunching chords.

The Swear has a long list of accomplishments, including endorsements from Gibson Musical Instruments, GHS Strings, Ampeg, Paiste Cymbals, Pearl Drums, and Vic Firth Drumsticks. Their music has already been featured on a variety of television networks, including Fox, ABC, the CW, the WB, FX, TNT, The Discovery Channel, CNN, and VH1. Tonight, they will add MTV to the list. Their song, “The Violence Rings,” will be part of the soundtrack on the highly anticipated season premiere of the hit television show, “The Jersey Shore.”

After tuning in to hear The Swear on MTV tonight, fans in the Atlanta, GA area should be sure to see the band live at one of their upcoming tour dates. See the list below for a venue near you.

TOUR DATES:

7/31/10: North River Tavern (21+) (Atlanta, GA)
9/24/10: Lenny’s (21+) (Atlanta, GA)
10/23/10: Downtown Sounds at the Hard Rock Café (18+) (Atlanta, GA)
11/12/10: Vinyl (18+) (Atlanta, GA)

SOURCE: http://www.theswear.com/
SOURCE: http://www.myspace.com/theswear

WINNER UPDATE: Yoko Ono Blogs about Madison Violet!

2010-07-29T08:16:00.000-07:00

As many music fans are already aware, Yoko Ono maintains her own blog on her website, imaginepeace.com. In response to the announcement this week that Madison Violet were named the Maxell Song of the Year winners, Ono posted about the folk duo and included a great video of one of their performances of the winning song, "The Ransom." To see the full blog post, click here, or watch the embedded video below.

SOURCE: http://imaginepeace.com/archives/11837

FINALIST UPDATE: Joanie Leeds Receives Nomination from Nickelodeon

2010-07-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Children’s music singer/songwriter Joanie Leeds found the start of her musical career to be a challenge, as most beginning artists do. Long before she was named a finalist in the Children’s category of the Session II 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for her song “I’m a Rock Star,” Leeds spent many of her days bouncing from gig to gig around local venues in New York City. She finally realized her passion for children’s music when she got a job at a Gymboree in Manhattan and was able to earn a paycheck by working and singing with kids. After a stint on the birthday party and pre-school circuit, Leeds had enough music to fill three full-length albums.

At present, Leeds tours as part of the group Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights. Members include Leeds (guitar/vocals), Dan Barman (drums), Scott Stein (keys), Matt Aranoff (bass), and Thomas Bryan Eaton (electric guitar). The band, now a well-known group in the children’s music community, has performed at such venues as the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and XPoNential Fest in Camden, NJ. After releasing a DVD entitled “City Kid Live,” Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights were honored with two first place and one second place National Telly Awards, which recognize local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs; other recipients have included Bon Jovi, CBS, AT&T, and Comedy Central.

The group’s most recent honor comes from one of the most well known children’s television networks. Nickelodeon’s Parents Connect has just nominated Leeds and her band for the “Best Party Entertainer” award. The winner is determined through fan votes. Anyone wishing to support Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights’ can vote for the group at the Parents Connect website. Voting closes August 31, 2010.

Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights continue to maintain a full touring schedule on top of their other activities. For those interested in seeing a performance, check out their complete list of tour dates.

SOURCE: http://www.joanieleeds.com/citykid/index.html

WINNER UPDATE: SoulStice Collaborates for International Concept Album

2010-07-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

In 2009, SoulStice was named a Session I Grand Prize Winner in the Hip-Hop category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for his song “Strange Kinda Love,” but this title was only one stepping stone on his rise to success. His 2005 debut album “North by Northwest” was released to many positive reviews and critics were quick to call his music “enlightened.” With a growing fanbase across the globe, SoulStice was given the opportunity to share the stage with such artists as John Legend and Wu-Tang Clan, and in 2008 he was invited to join the prestigious Recording Academy.

In addition to his thriving music career, SoulStice has also gotten involved in social activism as one of the newest members of the NOH8 campaign. This campaign for marriage equality was founded in response to California’s Proposition 8 and is described as a “photographic silent protest movement.”

Recently, SoulStice has focused his efforts on creating an album with fellow artist SBe. The two musicians have collaborated with artists in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany, the U.K., and the Netherlands. The record, fittingly named “Beyond Borders,” shows music’s potential for universality. For those interested in learning more about this incredible international endeavor, visit the website here.

Think you might be the next hip-hop artist to watch? Enter your song into the JLSC.

SOURCE: http://www.thinkbeyondborders.com/
SOURCE: http://www.myspace.com/soulstice
SOURCE: http://www.baltimoreblack.com/articles/2010/soulstice_joins_NOH8_campaign.php

JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST "MAXELL SONG OF THE YEAR" GOES TO CANADIAN DUO, MADISON VIOLET

2010-07-27T10:17:00.000-07:00

The pair surpassed thousands of entries with "The Ransom" to take top annual prize.

New York, NY (July 27, 2010) – The Alternative Country duo, Madison Violet, has been announced the winner of the coveted “Maxell Song of the Year” from the 13th annual John Lennon Songwriting Contest for their original composition, “The Ransom." The duo made up of Brenely MacEachern, who sings the lead vocals on the track, and Lisa MacIsaac, who sings the harmony, will be awarded $20,000 courtesy of Maxell, in addition to other prizes.

Known for their extensive touring routine, Brenely started writing the song in Australia nearing the end of a 2 month long trip when she was longing for home. Lisa later helped her finish the song in Grenada. The pair recorded the song in Pro Tools with an acoustic guitar, a snare kick and hi-hat, an upright bass, an organ and a lapsteel guitar.

Both hailing from Scottish small towns in Canada, Brenely and Lisa have chosen a musical path that channels their parent’s vintage record collection that compromised the likes of Neil Young and Dolly Parton.

A total of over $275,000 in cash and prizes will be distributed this year by the year-round contest open to both amateur and professional songwriters. Visit www.jlsc.com to listen to Madison Violet’s winning song, download their photo and enter the current contest.

WINNER UPDATE: Taron Cochrane and Chazz Valentine Featured in Regina Leader-Post

2010-07-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

In March 2010, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest announced the winning entry in its first ever love song mini-contest. People across the globe entered their best compositions in hopes of being named the winner, but the title ultimately went to the duo of Taron Cochrane and Chazz Valentine for their song, “The Brightest Star.” Since then, they have received much recognition for their efforts, and most recently they have been featured in the Regina Leader-Post newspaper in Canada.

In 2009, Cochrane was preparing to marry his fiancée, Jenna Brown, and he wanted the song at their wedding to be truly their own. He set to work on writing the lyrics, but as a graphic designer he felt he lacked the musical experience to record the vocals and instrumentation himself. It was then that he contacted Chazz Valentine, an artist from New Zealand with whom Cochrane had previously been acquainted when doing some design work for Valentine’s band, The Rabble.

Over the next several months, Valentine and Cochrane communicated via email to put the song together. Through their determined teamwork, “The Brightest Star” was completed in time for Cochrane’s October wedding to Brown, and it continues to inspire other couples around the world. Cochrane reports that the love song has been used in weddings besides his own.

In addition to helping happy couples celebrate their special day and being named a winner in the JLSC’s Valentine’s Day themed mini-contest, “The Brightest Star” has also claimed a place on the music charts in New Zealand. Thus far, it has reached a peak #3 position on the singles charts and continues to receive significant radio play.

The full Leader-Post article about “The Brightest Star” can be found here.

SOURCE: http://www.leaderpost.com/opinion/Love+Shines/3318490/story.html

WINNER UPDATE: Jaffa Road Plays Canadian Music Festival

2010-07-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Collaboration is key in the creation of innovative and original music. The utilization of several creative minds in a musical endeavor can yield a final result that an individual could never have imagined. Toronto-based World Music band Jaffa Road is a perfect example of the importance of a group effort, as they have combined the talents of many notable musicians to create an exciting breed of World Music. The band consists of Aaron Lightstone (guitars, ud, saz, synthesizers), Aviva Chernick (vocals), Chris Gartner (bass, co-producer), Jeff Wilson (percussion), and Sundar Viswanathan (sax), with guest artists including Chris McKhool-violin (Sultans of String), Ravi Naimpally-Tabla (Tasa), Ernie Tollar-nay, bansuri (Tasa, Maza Meze, Maryem Tollar), Aaron Bensoussan-vocals, (Uri Caine’s Zohar), and Dr. George Sawa-qanun (Traditional Arabic Music Ensemble).

Jaffa Road combines sacred and secular Jewish songs, Classical Arabic and Indian music, modern jazz, rock, pop, and dub music to create a sound that is extremely unique and difficult to replicate. This amalgamation has allowed Jaffa Road to record with many influential Canadian musicians in the jazz, pop, rock, and world music genres. “Sunplace,” Jaffa Road’s debut album, climbed to the #1 spot in the CUIT World Music charts. Furthermore, the band was given runner up status in the “We are Listening Worlds of Music” contest, as well as a Lennon Award in the 2009 World category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for their song “L.Y.G.”

In addition to their new album release and JLSC title, Jaffa Road was also in attendance at the Juno Awards in April for their nomination of "World Music Album of the Year." Though they didn't take home the Juno, the group did win "Best World Music" at the Toronto Independent Music Awards. Earlier in July, they also had the honor of playing at the Rocking Walrus Arts Festival; located on the shore of the Arctic Ocean, this event is known for being the most remote arts festival in North America.

For those interested in hearing Jaffa Road's unique sound, the band will be playing at the “Indulge your Scences” Festival in Metro Square, Toronto on July 29th.

SOURCE: http://jaffaroadmusic.squarespace.com/

WINNER UPDATE: Bignic Racks Up Songwriting Titles

2010-07-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

Beginning his career with various compilations and computer game/television soundtracks, Canadian electronica act, Bignic, has made quite a splash in the world of electro, house, and bigbeat music. In 2007, Bignic won the "Best Electronic" award at the 2007 Ontario Independent Music Awards for his song “Inexplicable.” Bignic’s other accomplishments include “Third Place Electronic" in the 2008 International Songwriting Competition ("The End of Something Big") and a position as a Finalist in the 2008 Great Lakes Songwriting Contest and a Semi-Finalist in the 2008 UK Songwriting Contest. Bignic also has placed five songs on the Billboard top 500 in Billboard World Song Contest. Bignic was a Grand Prize Winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for his electronic song “Phone.” Bicnic’s fourth LP features the aforementioned award-winning songs, as well as 17 other exciting electronica songs. The album is available for purchase on Bandcamp, Itunes, and Amazon, along with four other full length studio LP’s from Bignic.

SOURCE: http://www.thebignic.com/music.php

FINALIST UPDATE: Greg Sczebel in PEAK Performance Project 2010

2010-07-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Greg Sczebel has had a very exciting year. In addition to being named a Session II 2009 finalist in the Pop category for his song “How Am I Supposed to Breathe?,” he also beat some stiff competition to win the John Lennon Songwriting Contest’s Toby Gad Experience. Sczebel will have the opportunity to work with Gad – a renowned producer responsible for hits from artists such as Beyonce and Fergie – to write and record a song.

Sczebel, who resides in British Columbia, Canada, might not necessarily call 2010 the year of his big break. His career has been steadily garnering more interest among members of the music community. Looking back to previous years, Sczebel was a JLSC Gospel/Inspirational Grand Prize Winner in both 2004 and 2007, and he won a Juno Award (2005 Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year) for his debut release, “Here To Stay.” He has performed with the likes of Paul Brandt, David Foster, Michael Buble, and Colin James – no small accomplishment for any aspiring musician.

After his successful debut record, Sczebel released his sophomore album in October 2009: “Love & The Lack Thereof.” He reports that his goal with this most recent album was to create something “soulful but modern, original yet familiar.” His musical inspiration comes from a variety of artists, ranging from The Beatles and Stevie Wonder to Kanye West and Mark Ronson.

In one of Sczebel’s most exciting achievements yet, he has become one of twenty finalists that are competing for 100.5 The PEAK Performance Project 2010. The goal of the project is to launch the careers of artists in British Columbia, and the top twenty artists take part in a vigorous artist development program. In the final round of the project, public votes along with judges’ consideration will determine the artists’ official placements. All candidates for the project must be residents of B.C., and the prizes range from $100,500 for the eventual first place winner to $5,000 for the artist ending in fifth place. All artists receive an initial $3,500 of development funding.

Winners for the PEAK Performance Project will be announced in November 2010. Fans can follow Sczebel’s and the other top nineteen artists’ progress at the project’s website.

SOURCE: http://www.facebook.com/gregsczebelmusic?v=info

SOURCE: http://p3.fm/

WINNER UPDATE: David Llewellyn to Host a Songwriting Retreat

2010-07-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

Hailing from the coal mining valleys of South Wales, David Llewellyn grew up with an active imagination and zeal for music. By the age of seventeen, this fervor led him to a life outside of his humble beginnings, and encouraged him to depart from Wales for an exciting musical career. David came to Nashville, Tennessee in 1991, and was signed to a Music Row publisher in 1996. With its roots in Davids upbringing, and its technique developed through his new American experiences, David's songwriting soon caught the attention of many musical peers. Eventually, David began playing notable festivals such as the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, and was the recipient of its coveted "New Folk" award. Davids self-titled LP was released in 2004 to critical acclaim and radio attention, and his 2007 release "Limited Edition" quickly sold all of its printed copies. In 2008, David won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest's Lennon Award for his folk song "Take Us Down."

New tracks and improved production are in the works for "Limited Edition" and a full release is expected in the fall. In addition, David is working on a new full length CD. Furthermore, Recently, David recorded a radio show with BBC in Wales. In October, David will host a songwriting retreat in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. Anyone interested in attending the retreat should contact David at David@davidllewellyn.com.

SOURCE: http://www.davidllewellyn.com/index.html

WINNER UPDATE: Debra Gussin to Pen Lyrics for Upcoming Musical

2010-07-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, it was announced that Debra Gussin and co-writer Rick Howard were the grand prize winners of the Country category in Session II of the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for their song, ““Is That You?”. After facing-off against the Session I 2009 Country Grand Prize Winners, JD Dohnal and Dave Tough, Gussin and Howard also took home the coveted Lennon Award, making them one of the twelve artists currently in the running for the Maxell Song of the Year Award.

In recent years, Gussin has made quite a name for herself. In addition to a slew of accomplishments in various songwriting contests, Gussin has worked with many industry veterans, including Paul Williams, Marty Panzer and Don Grady. In her past she has been honored with several musical scholarships and was the first ever recipient of the Lifetime Barry Manilow Scholarship Award.

More recently, Gussin’s song, “This is Our Time,” was chosen as the official graduation song for UCLA Extension. She worked with co-writer Dale Effren on the lyrics, and the song premiered on June 29th in Los Angeles; Erich Bergen of the musical, “Jersey Boys,” performed.

Now, Gussin extends her talents to write songs for the stage. She has been named the lyricist for “TURMOIL! A New Musical.” In addition to this great honor, Gussin is also on the Board of Directors for the Academy for New Musical Theatre.

With so many achievements already under her belt, Gussin is certainly one to watch in the coming years.

SOURCE: http://www.myspace.com/debragussin

WINNER UPDATE: Expect James Tormé’s New Album in August

2010-07-21T13:33:00.001-07:00

With a new album due for Summer 2010, worldwide concerts with esteemed musicians, and a plethora of praise from notable names in the industry, James Tormé has secured a position as an exciting and promising new act in vocal jazz. Combining elements of R&B, Big Band, Swing, and intimate ballads, James’s style is both unique and versatile, and it has caught the attention of many influential colleagues. James was surrounded by music as a child and was introduced to inspirational artists such as Steely Dan by his father, three-time Grammy Award winning Jazz composer and vocalist, Mel Tormé. Following in his father’s footsteps, James decided to begin a career as a vocalist, using both original material and covers in his performances. James was recently named a Session II Grand Prize Winner and Lennon Award Winner for the jazz category in the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Previously in 2007, James won the Chuck Niles Jazz Music Award, and subsequently signed with E1 records in 2008.

James upcoming album “Love for Sale” has been highly anticipated in the jazz community. The CD showcases James’ skill in singing both jazz standards, and pop tunes, with his own distinct style. Although the album pays homage to the music that inspired James, “Love for Sale” is more of an evolution and amalgamation than a replication. His newest LP will feature originals such as “One or the Other,” classic jazz standards like “Autumn Leaves,” and contemporary pop songs such as Michael Jackson’s “Rock with You.” The album has been slated for a release in the summer of 2010, and James’ music can be heard on various radio stations such as Smooth Jazz 94.7 and KS BR-FM.

SOURCE: http://www.jamestorme.com/

WINNER UPDATE: Patricia Vonne Has Packed Fall Tour Schedule

2010-07-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

Session I 2009 Latin winner Patricia Vonne is no newcomer to the music scene; she released her first album eight years ago. Since then, Vonne has dropped three additional albums: “Guitars and Castanets,” “Firebird,” and “Worth It.” Since she first started writing music, newspapers and magazines have been quick to give her glowing reviews. Publications such as The Austin Chronicle, The Houston Press, and The Sun rave about this Texan songstress, claiming that she has “talent to melt the coldest heart.”

Vonne cites her upbringing as one of her sources of inspiration. One of ten children, she grew up in San Antonio in a bilingual household. Her mother’s past-time of singing to her children in Spanish no doubt helped shape Vonne’s current interest in Latin-styled music. Her older siblings helped to nurture her musical tastes; her elder brother, director Robert Rodriguez, often collaborates on her songwriting, leading to tracks that have been featured in films such as “Once Upon a Time in Mexico.”

Like many people in the creative community, Vonne’s artistic interests are not limited to just music. In previous years, she has tried her hand at acting, landing roles in films such as “Sin City” and “Spy Kids.” However, in between the occasional movie, she leaves plenty of time in her schedule for touring. This fall, she will perform not only in the United States, but around Europe as well.

If you are interested in seeing and hearing a truly talented Latin musician perform live, check out Patricia Vonne on one of the dates below, or visit her website for more information.

TOUR DATES:

07/24/10: Benson-Carr Auditorian @ Wild Basin Preserve (Austin, TX)
07/28/10: 2010 Takin Texas Tour (Round Rock, TX)
07/29/10: Antone’s 35th Anniversary (Austin, TX)
08/03/10: Justin Herman Plaza (San Francisco, CA)
08/13/10: Sam’s Burger Joint (San Antonio, TX)
08/18/10: Iowa State Fair (Des Moines, IA)
09/02/10: Buddy Holly Center’s Showcase 2010 (Lubbock, TX)
09/03/10: Texas on Tour (Denver, CO)
09/24/10: The Continental Club (Austin, TX)
09/29/10: Franziskaner (Bad Salgau, Germany)
09/30/10: Gwolb Music Club (Watt, Switzerland)
10/14/10: Topos (Leverkusenger, Germany)
10/15/10: Scheunenuerein (Liebenau, Germany)
10/16/10: Rainbow (Altheim, Germany)
10/22/10: Kulturbastion (Torgau, Germany)
10/23/10: Anker (Leipzig, Germany)
10/27/10: Ship (Bremen, Germany)
10/28/10: Music Star (Norderstedt, Germany)
10/29/10: Wunderbar at Hemingways (Lueneburg, Germany)
10/30/10: Rathaus Garbsen (Garbsen, Germany)

SOURCE: http://www.patriciavonne.com/index.html

WINNER UPDATE: Mog Featured in Australian Guitar Magazine

2010-07-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

It has been almost one year since Mog, fronted by Daniel Maguire, was named the Session I 2009 winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest’s Rock category. Since that time, Mog’s success has shown no signs of slowing. The group, based in Canberra, Australia, describes its songs as “alternative rock, rooted in strong songwriting, with a pop twist,” and audiences around the world are paying attention.

Being a Grand Prize Winner for the song “Kings” in the 2009 JLSC is only one of a long list of accomplishments for Mog. Prior to the JLSC win, Mog had received recognition in a host of different contests, including the Great American Song Contest, the International Songwriting Competition, the Billboard World Song Contest, and the Independent Singer-Songwriter Association Contest. These achievements, in addition to Mog’s placement in the JLSC, acted as a springboard for the band’s long-term career. Not only has Mog released two full-length albums – “Perfect Unreality” and “Nine” – the band’s music has been placed in television shows on MTV, E!, and CBS.

Mog’s latest accomplishment comes in the form of a feature in Australian Guitar Magazine’s August 2010 issue, where the song “Bright White Teeth” will be highlighted. Interested readers should track down a copy in the coming weeks.

SOURCE: http://www.myspace.com/mogdaniel

WINNER UPDATE: Generation Letter to Celebrate Album Release in August

2010-07-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

It takes a very talented songwriter to win the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, so it is clear that Generation Letter, a Christian Rock band, has more than enough talent to go around. They were named the Gospel/Inspirational Grand Prize Winners in back-to-back years for their songs “Jesus My Glory” (Session I 2008) and “Glorious” (Session II 2009).

The band, based in Orlando, FL, consists of George Romanacce, John Ripley, Alex Couch, and Stephen Morgan. All four members have a hand in writing each song, ensuring that every composition incorporates several different viewpoints on the given topic and helping the band continue with their goal of producing music that “glorifies the Savior, offers the world biblically sound lyrics and delivers them with unmatched musical creativity.” Their devotion to their craft has earned them recognition across the country; in addition to their success in the JLSC, Generation Letter has won several national talent searches and has been the featured band at various music festivals in Florida.

After working tirelessly to perfect their tracks, Generation Letter released their highly anticipated album, “This is The Story,” in early June 2010. The official release party for the record will take place on August 7th at the Calvary Assembly of God in Winter Park, FL.

If you think your Gospel/Inspirational song could be the next JLSC winner, be sure to enter it into Session II of the 2010 contest.

SOURCE: http://www.generationletter.com/

FINALIST UPDATE: Heather Blush and the Uppercuts to Perform at South Country Fair

2010-07-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

Heather Blush and her band, the Uppercuts, have seen much success in 2010. In addition to being named finalists from Session II 2009 in the R&B category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for Heather’s song, "I Don’t Believe in Me Anymore," this talented group of musicians have maintained a full touring schedule throughout Canada.

Describing themselves as “a trio of rogue troubadours,” Heather Blush and the Uppercuts have a rapidly growing fan-base that originally began in Calgary, Alberta, where they call home. The band released their debut album, “Vice” in June 2008, which soon attracted attention from the music community. As its title suggests, the album examines different vices that may cause trouble in a person’s life, including alcohol and bad relationship choices. In a follow-up to this ambitious first release, their sophomore album, “Versa,” was released one year later and found its inspiration in lighter topics.

Since their first two albums were released, Heather Blush and the Uppercuts have received many positive reviews from critics. Accordingly, the group was given the opportunity to perform at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Though it would seem that this performance, along with being named an R&B finalist in the JLSC, would be the highlights of the group’s year, Blush and her band have found additional success in other songwriting contests; Heather’s songs “You Take the Cake” and “Pour Another Ounce of Rum in the Eggnog” were chosen as finalists in the Calgary Folk Fest Songwriting Contest and the Great American Song Contest, respectively.

Heather Blush and the Uppercuts have certainly not taken this summer off to kick back their heels and relax. Following a string of performances around Alberta, the band will take the stage again this weekend at the South Country Fair (July 16th-18th) in Fort Macleod. More information about the fair and how to buy tickets can be found here.

SOURCE: http://www.heatherblush.com/home.html

WINNER UPDATE: Kate Rowe Releases New CD and Continues to Tour

2010-07-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

Characterized by her distinct sense of humor and strong songwriting capabilities, Australian singer/songwriter Kate Rowe is quickly gaining prominence in the children’s music genre. Kate has been playing music since the age of ten, but only recently began to pursue a career as a songwriter. Before professionally recording music, Kate held positions as a French and English teacher, shop assistant, children’s party fairy, radio presenter, author, and illustrator. Kate’s debut album, “The Simplest of Things” received critical acclaim from local news sources and won the 2007 BluFM89.1 Award for Outstanding Contribution to Country Music. In 2009, Kate embarked on a tour with fellow songwriter Ryan Morison and opened for The Spooky Men’s Chorale.

Kate Rowe received a Lennon award for her children's song “Space Rabbits of Brocklevoons” in the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. This interactive composition chronicles the arrival of a foreign species of rabbits from a distant planet. Merchandise for this song (t-shirts, etc.) is available on Kate’s website, which also includes songwriting tips and suggestions of authors who are well versed on the subject. Her upcoming album “Nature’s Little Game” includes “Space Rabbits” as well as 10 other original compositions. It is due for a launch on July 30, 2010.

In support of her upcoming album, Kate has begun an active touring schedule. Beginning in Tasmania, on July 7th, the tour ventures all throughout Australia, and ends on the 4th of December.

SOURCE: www.katerowe.com

John Lennon’s Piano Becomes Center of Controversy

2010-07-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

John Lennon's iconic white piano has become a symbol of the late songwriter's immortal message of peace and freedom. The instrument on which classic songs like "Imagine" were composed has been in the news recently for a controversial recital given by pop star Lady Gaga in the private home of Yoko Ono. Gaga’s performance has offended a select few Lennon fans who feel that she is unworthy of a seat at such an important piece of musical history. By allowing Gaga to play the piano, which John gave to Yoko Ono as a gift, Sean Lennon faces anger from a small group of fans; their critical comments have pushed the issue into the blogging and multi media community, sparking a debate over the implications of the young Lennon’s actions.

Sean Lennon responded to the criticism by asking fans to “lighten up…life’s too short, there’re enough real problems in the world….” Adding, “He gave that piano to my mother for her birthday, it is hers, secondly, he was not uptight the way you seem to be.” However, other fans support Sean, believing that the piano was meant to be played, and they see no problem in letting an accomplished pianist such as Gaga grace its keys.

Did Lady Gaga deserve to play Lennon’s piano? Is the instrument a piece of art to be admired from afar, or something to be played and enjoyed by fellow musicians? What are your thoughts as a Lennon fan, musician, and/or music lover?

SOURCE: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2010/07/12/2010-07-12_photo_of_lady_gaga_playing_john_lennons_white_piano_removed_by_son_after_
beatles.html

SOURCE: http://tittenhurstlennon.blogspot.com/2009/08/john-lennon-and-yoko-ono-interior-of.html

WINNER UPDATE: Sean VanDommelen Works with Documentary Filmmakers

2010-07-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

In early 2009, Sean VanDommelen entered his electronic song, “Lonely Girl,” into Session I of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. He was later named a Grand Prize Winner for that category, and after competing in a fan-voted head-to-head faceoff against Session II Electronic Grand Prize Winner Junsu Kwon, VanDommelen earned the highly coveted Lennon Award, making him an eligible candidate for the Maxell Song of the Year.

When VanDommelen isn’t busy excelling in the JLSC, he resides in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. He formed the Sean VanDommelen Project in 2006 and continues to hone his songwriting skills through that outlet, but he has also worked with other bands in his area, enriching his local music community. VanDommelen currently plays as the lead guitarist in VIII Days Clean, a band from Tacoma, WA that has a large following throughout the West Coast. Additionally, VanDommelen has previously collaborated with alternative rock band Mona Lisa Shines, as well as hip-hop group All Kinz, with whom he released five EPs.

Recently, VanDommelen has directed his creativity toward important societal issues; he has been working with filmmakers to incorporate his music into a variety of documentaries that investigate topics such as social justice, the criminal justice system, and substance abuse.

Clearly VanDommelen’s musical talents are widespread, and it will be exciting to watch how he continues to grow as an artist in the coming years.

SOURCE: http://www.sleepypilot.com/home

WINNER UPDATE: Andrew Belle’s Songs Featured on TV

2010-07-14T11:55:00.000-07:00

When Andrew Belle first released his debut EP, “All Those Pretty Little Lights,” in 2008, he probably did not expect the incredible success he would find in the coming years. A little over one year later, Belle entered one of his songs, the title track of his 2010 full-length album, “The Ladder,” into the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Judges were impressed with his entry and Belle was named the Session II 2009 Grand Prize Winner in the Pop category.

Praise for Belle’s song did not stop there. Each year, all of the Grand Prize Winners for each category of the contest in Session I and Session II go head-to-head to become the fan-voted favorite. Earlier this year, it was announced that Belle had received the most votes for the Pop category and thus became one of the twelve recipients of the prestigious Lennon Award. As a result, Belle is also currently in the running for the Maxell Song of the Year award.

Armed with his success from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest as well as many positive reviews from critics, Belle’s music was soon noticed by others in the entertainment industry and some of his songs were placed in television shows on various networks. This up-and-coming pop singer can now add music placement credits to his list of accomplishments for programs including CW’s “One Tree Hill” and “90210,” CBS’s “Ghost Whisperer,” ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” E!’s “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” and most recently, ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars.”

Belle is certainly an artist to watch, and he is currently on tour. Interested in hearing him live? Check his list of tour dates to find a show near you.

SOURCE: http://www.andrewbelle.com/

QUICK TIPS: Using Technology to Share Your Music More Easily

2010-07-14T11:50:00.001-07:00

The first step to becoming a household name in music is to get other people to listen to your work. Though this task may seem basic, it is important to pay attention to the small details to ensure that your songs are heard. When you are thinking of sharing your music via mp3 file or CD, follow the helpful suggestions below:

1) Label your track: Labeling your track with the song title and artist is a simple but significant step to ensure that you leave a memorable impression on listeners. Proper labels allow your song to easily be located in an audio library. A title such as "Demo 1" might work well for your own personal reference, but replacing such notes with appropriate titles means that your listeners will actually be able to find your song in their library after they decide they want to hear it again.

2) Double-check your work: When burning tracks to a CD or uploading an mp3 file online, be sure to test them to make sure they play properly. Often simple computer defaults may hinder a recording, so a quick check can help you avoid sending a blank disk to someone who might otherwise have been able to further your music career.

3) Take advantage of available software: Many music players offer equalizing options that can help clean up tracks. Presets such as “Rock,” “Pop,” and “Acoustic,” and options such as "Bass Reduction” can help you improve your tracks’ production quality and attract additional listeners.

These three, easy tips can set you apart from other artists by demonstrating your attention to detail. Have other tips of your own? Share them in the comments section for other readers to see.

Warped Tour Winners K Será on the Lennon Bus

2010-07-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

The John Lennon Songwriting Contest's Warped Tour Winners, K Será, recently visited the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus while at the festival. Though K Será have finished their leg of the Warped Tour, watch out for their Lennon Bus video coming to you shortly. Until then, check them out in the video below.

nut[WARPED TOUR]shell - ft. K Sera & Closure In Moscow from sigismund s. pikul on Vimeo.

SOURCE: http://www.lennonbus.org/index.php/blog/posts/our_friends_k_sera_sigismund_s._pikul/

Struggling Concert Tours Raise Questions of Consumers’ Interests

2010-07-13T14:21:00.001-07:00

The story of the down-on-his-luck traveling musician who plays to nearly empty venues is as almost as old as music itself. The so-called “starving artist” has not been a new concept for the last millennium at least. However, recent times have shown that it is not just the unknown coffee-house singers struggling to get an audience – during the 2010 summer touring season, even mainstream acts with a devoted fan-base have been unable to fill the concert halls and stadiums for which they have been booked.

Music news in past months has been filled with the somber announcements of soft ticket sales, canceled dates, and even tours that have been canceled outright. Rihanna’s “Last Girl on Earth” tour should have been one of the most highly anticipated tours of the summer, but several dates were quickly cut in response to lackluster sales. Other industry veterans – most notably, Christina Aguilera – did not even attempt to stay afloat in the disappointing touring season, opting to cancel or postpone their tours before tickets even went on sale. The long-awaited return of Lilith Fair has proven to be quite a challenge, as contributing artists quietly dropped out of the tour once seats failed to sell.

Some artists, on the other hand, seem immune to the flailing touring industry. Teen pop sensation Justin Bieber, pop powerhouse Lady Gaga, and the duo of James Taylor and Carole King are just a few of the acts that are keeping their heads well above water in regard to ticket sales. The stark contrast between these two categories of touring musicians – that is, those who cannot sell their seats versus those who have run out of room even in the “Standing Room Only” areas – raises an important question: why are consumers supporting some tours, but not others?

The economic climate in recent years provides the most obvious and convenient answer. While much of the nation tries to maintain their current standard of living, concert tickets are simply not a priority. This reality, coupled with the fact that tickets are more expensive than ever once processing and building fees are added in, suggests that consumers who still have the funds available to afford live music are choosing to see only one or two of their favorite artists rather than filling their summer calendars with shows.

Though a lack of disposable income is no doubt a large player in disappointing ticket sales, a tour’s production quality also deserves scrutiny. Many of the best-selling tours involve an intense combination of laser-lights shows, smoke machines, and dance-heavy musical numbers. With music more accessible than ever in both physical and digital form, it seems that consumers are beginning to favor live shows that feature vivid visuals in addition to the music. After all, a favorite song is only a touch of an iPod away, but the excitement of pyrotechnics and Jumbotrons is harder to find outside of a live concert.

Nevertheless, with expensive productions driving ticket prices higher, now is the perfect opportunity for live music fanatics to look into supporting lesser-known artists in addition to their mainstream favorites. A quick look through a newspaper or local music blog should give light to plenty of local shows for much lower prices. Additionally, many cities host free music festivals throughout the year such as Coney Island’s annual Siren Music Festival in New York City.

Are there any free events in your town? Where do you find out about inexpensive live shows? There is no better time than today to expand musical horizons and become a fan of the struggling, unknown traveling artist who will be one of the industry’s superstars tomorrow.

SOURCE: http://www.nileguide.com/destination/blog/san-diego/2010/07/09/lilith-fair-rallies-fans-in-san-diego/

WINNER UPDATE: Gaby Moreno is an Emmy Nominee

2010-07-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

Just a few short years ago, Gaby Moreno and her co-writers, Victor Indrizzo and Ari Shine, were named the 2006 Maxell Song of the Year winners. Now Moreno and co-writer Vincent Jones have received the great honor of an Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Main Title Theme Song” for NBC’s hit show, “Parks and Recreation.”

Moreno, now a resident of Los Angeles, CA, originally hails from Guatemala City, Guatemala. It was in that Central American country that she first picked up a guitar and began what has now become a very successful musical career. At the young age of fifteen, Moreno was asked to record her own version of the Guatemalan national anthem. It was not long before other people began to take notice of her talents, and she was asked to open for well-known artists such as Ricky Martin.

With her trademark hard work, talent, and dedication, Moreno entered her song, “Escondidos,” in Session II of the 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Not only was the song named a grand prize winner in the Latin category of the contest, it went on to win the 2006 Maxell Song of the Year award, showing members of the music community that Moreno was an artist to watch in the coming years. Indeed, the title of Moreno’s 2008 debut album, “Still the Unknown,” would not describe her situation for long. Her music has since been featured on several mainstream television shows, including ABC’s “Lincoln Heights” and “Ghost Whisperer,” MTV’s “The Hills,” and now NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.”

Following a successful year in 2009 – her cover of Charlie Chaplin’s song, “Smile,” became part of an Academy Award winning documentary, “The Cove” – Moreno’s Emmy nomination in 2010 for “Outstanding Main Title Theme Song” is only confirmation of what industry insiders have known for some time: Moreno is a musical force to be reckoned with, and this is only the beginning of her undoubtedly long and successful career.

To learn more about Gaby Moreno and her Emmy nomination, read Billboard’s press release below.

SOURCE: http://www.gaby-moreno.com/

FINALIST UPDATE: Princess Katie and Racer Steve to Perform in NYC

2010-07-09T09:09:00.000-07:00

Children’s artists Princess Katie and Racer Steve are all set to get their audience dancing and singing next Thursday, July 15th in Union Square. The free concert, part of the city’s ongoing Summer in the Square series, will begin at noon. The duo will perform with their drummer, Crash, and bassist, Space.

Princess Katie and Racer Steve were Session II 2009 finalists for their entry, “Clelia’s Party,” an upbeat song about the titular character’s Latin fiesta. By the end of the song, listeners will have learned the names of three types of dances – the Cha Cha Cha, the Samba, and the Mambo – as well as a whole menu of foreign dishes, such as Tostadas and Arroz con Pollo (yum!). “Clelia’s Party,” in addition to being just plain fun, helps further children’s knowledge by teaching them about the wonders that other cultures have to offer.

For those interested in attending Princess Katie and Racer Steve’s performance on 7/15/10, be sure to get there early in order to get a great viewing spot. No need to be worried if you get there too early; there will be a “Mommy & Me” yoga program at 10:00 AM in the playground.

Got a great children’s song of your own? Enter it in Session II of the 2010 contest!

SOURCE: http://www.princessracer.com/home.html

Bilingual Album Reinforces Music’s Universality

2010-07-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

In the mid-1990s, a Latin/Pop singer by the name of Enrique Iglesias burst on to the scene and soon became one of the most memorable artists of the decade. Known for his hits like “Hero” and “Bailamos,” Iglesias has spent his career alternating releases of English and Spanish albums. However, Iglesias’ upcoming album has taken an imaginative turn: it will be bilingual.

The album already shows signs of promise – in addition to Iglesias’ own talent, collaborators include well-known artists Pitbull, Lionel Richie, and Juan Luis Guerra – but its most admirable quality is the diversity of its languages. With this new release, Iglesias has created a record truer to himself than ever before by mixing different parts of his own culture and upbringing.

Using both English and Spanish in the new album seemed natural to the Latin singer. “I was raised speaking ‘Spanglish,’” he says. “I have always written in English and in Spanish, I think in English and in Spanish, I dream in English and in Spanish.”

Not only has Iglesias pushed himself creatively with this new venture, he has found a way to unite his English-speaking and Spanish-speaking fan bases, thereby expanding his market for the upcoming album. Though Iglesias is not the first artist to record a bilingual album and will not be the last – Shakira announced plans in April 2010 to combine both languages in her upcoming album – his latest creative endeavor certainly speaks to the universality of music. By using multiple languages in the same album, Iglesias shows that the meaning of a song can carry through no matter the language in which it was recorded, and that is an accomplishment that should be lauded.

SOURCE: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38150229/ns/today-entertainment/

Grammy Rule Change Levels the Playing Field

2010-07-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

In January 2010, millions of music fans tuned in to watch the Grammy Awards ceremony. However, confusion surrounding the nominees for the Best New Artist category clouded the scene. Though 2009 had become known as The Year of Lady Gaga in the music community, the pop songstress was notably absent from the list of Best New Artist nominees.

Those who are familiar with the Grammys’ rules for Best New Artist eligibility know that Lady Gaga’s 2008 Best Dance Recording nomination for her song “Just Dance” was the deal-breaker. Until very recently, no musician who had previously been nominated for a Grammy could be a contender for the Best New Artist award. Though Lady Gaga took home two statuettes in January – one for Best Dance Recording and another for Best Electronic/Dance Album – fans across the world were in an uproar over her ineligibility for Best New Artist.

“There will be some changes so that particular situation won’t repeat itself,” promised Recording Academy President Neil Portnow, and on July 7, 2010, who made good on his word. In a change to the Grammy rules, artists who were previously nominated for a Grammy are now eligible for the Best New Artist award, providing they have not yet won a Grammy nor released a full album.

This rule change has come too late to benefit Lady Gaga, whose record-breaking album sales, sold-out concert tour, and extended stay on the Billboard charts have probably provided some consolation, but the Recording Academy earns the respect of many by showing its willingness to correct a situation that might otherwise have slighted future up-and-coming artists. Collaborations between established and growing artists have steadily increased in popularity as the music community strives to push creative boundaries, and the change in Grammy rules now makes it possible for new artists to work with industry veterans without having to worry that a Grammy-nominated breakout hit might ruin their chances of receiving one of the Academy’s highest honors.

The future of the music industry is looking brighter, and with the Grammys allowing greater opportunities for success it is now a better time than ever for new artists to enter the scene.

SOURCE: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/07/entertainment/main6654251.shtml

SOURCE: http://www.mtv.com/photos/the-2010-grammy-awards-red-carpet/1630866/4576061/photo.jhtml

Lennon inspired Epiphone guitars: John Lennon Songwriting Contest grand prize winners receive their choice of electric or acoustic!

2010-07-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

After all of the entries are in, the songs have been judged, and the winners selected, the top songwriters are given prizes to commemorate their efforts. This year, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest grand prize winners made their choice between two amazing Epiphone guitars. These instruments both celebrate the life and career of John Lennon, and pay homage to the guitars that he used to play. While extremely similar to Lennon's original models, these guitars are equipped with new and exciting features that are sure to enhance the players' sound quality and tone.
The Epiphone “Inspired By” John Lennon Casino is a hollow body electric guitar with historically accurate attributes that make it appear as if Lennon once played it. The guitar is a replica of a sunburst Epiphone Casino guitar that Lennon purchased in 1966 during the recording of "Revolver". The guitar comes with Gibson P-90 pick-ups with "dog-ear, nickel plated covers and a Switchcraft(tm) made toggle and output jack". Furthermore, the instrument has "the correct 'burst' pattern and front and back, neck joint at the 16th fret (instead of the 17th), vintage style tuners with small metal buttons, black washer around the toggle switch and the historically accurate rectangle 'blue label' inside the sound hole".

The Epiphone John Lennon EJ – 160E is an acoustic-electric guitar modeled after John Lennon's reliable six-string. It comes with an "advanced Jumbo, sloped-shoulder body shape, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, a chunky solid mahogany neck and solid rosewood fingerboard and bridge". The rich, deep sound that the EJ-160E emits, acoustically, is desired in many genres of music, and allows the player to create warm and heavy tones at the same time. When played electrically, the guitar produces a very clear sound with the possibility of thick tone provided by the high proximity of the pick-ups. Although this instrument was created with collectors in mind, it is also an affordable, functional, and rich guitar that any player could enjoy.

http://www.epiphone.com/reviews.asp?ProductID=92

http://www.epiphone.com/news.asp?NewsID=1635

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/2434616808_d60c34daf0.jpg

World Music

2010-06-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

Because music is such a universal language, and draws its influences from around the globe, the World genre plays a significant role in its progress, and cannot be ignored. Orignially coined in the 1980's by the British, the term "World Music" refers to a "musical genre incorporating diverse styles from Africa, eastern Europe, Asia, South and Central America, the Caribbean, and nonmainstream Western folk sources." Initially, World music stood out because of its sharp contrast with the prevalent synth pop movement in North America and throughout Europe. Most of this music originated in Africa, and consequently, many African stars were born. This newly crowned World music royalty included the Nigerians King Sunny Ade and Fela Anikulapo Kuti and the Senegalese Youssou N'Dour. However, as the genre expanded, notable legends-to-be like Francis Bebey emerged. As World music's influence continues to grow, opportunities are arising from all corners of the world, and international talent that would have otherwise remained obsolete to most North American listeners is given a spotlight.
2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (World) winners Jaffa Road are a perfect example of the interesting and diverse nature of World music, and the experimentation that it allows. Because the genre's boundaries are loosely defined, World musicians are given liscense to try out a myriad of different styles and sounds. The result is an amalgamation of many different cultures' coveted musical identities into a cohesive and intruiging type of music. Because of this freedom, Jaffa Road is able to blend an abundance of styles such as jazz, Indian and Arabic, electronica, dub, and traditional Jewish folk music with poetry from Hebrew, Spanish, and English cultures read over it. Another John Lennon Songwriting Contest (2007, World) contest winner, Joshua Lebofsky, focuses on jazz infused with World-beat percussion and various vocal styles, as well as improvisation from peer World musicians. Joshua's album "Play a Little Prayer" is available on Itunes, Amazon, and Cdbaby.com.
With all of the possibilites that World music has to offer, now is the perfect time to experiment. The John Lennon Songwriting Contest accepts World music entries and looks forward to hearing your songs. Session II, 2010 is currently open.

(Joshua Lebofsky)

(Jaffa Road)

Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/world-music

Maxell Song of the Year

2010-06-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

With July just around the corner, the anticipation of this year’s Maxell Song of the Year award is rapidly increasing. This prestigious prize is accompanied with $20,000 and a catapult into songwriting stardom. The Song of the Year is awarded to the songwriter who best exemplifies prowess in musical composition from any of the contest's categories (Children's, Country, Electronic, Folk, Gospel, Hip Hop, Jazz, Latin, Pop, R & B, Rock, and World). This award encompasses the entire year in songwriting entries, from all around the world.

2009 produced an exciting and diverse list of Lennon Award winners. These talented songwriters have each won $1000 in Mackie, Ampeg or Blackheart products, and 1000 custom CD's printed in full color 6 panel digipaks courtesy of Disc Makers worth $1990. Kate Rowe, the Children's songwriting winner, won the Lennon Award for her song "Space Rabbits of Brocklevoons". From her hometown in the Blue Mountains of NSW, Australia, Kate continues to write music, and play local live shows. Country Lennon Award Winners Debra Gussin and Rik Howard won for their song "Is That You?". Debra owns her own publishing company, "High Flying Hench Music" and is interested in pitching songs to artists, television shows, and working toward a publishing deal. This year's Lennon Award winner in the Electronic category is Sean VanDommelen for his song "Lonely Girl". Sean is signed to Sleepy Pilot Music, and is gathering a strong following in the Tacoma music scene. The notable folk duo Madison Violet received the Lennon Award in Folk music for their song "The Ransom". The band consists of Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac, and hails from Toronto, Canada. Their album "No Fool for Trying" earned the duo the 2009 Canadian Folk Award for Best Vocal Group. The recipient of this year’s Gospel Lennon Award is Casey Lee Smith for his song "Never Stood Taller". At only 18 years old, Casey has begun to record his debut album under the production of esteemed recording artist & Grammy nominated Bryan Austin, Gavin MacKillop and Platinum Award Winning mixer & producer Rudy Haeusermann. Ray Clayton's song "Appocolypse" earned him a Lennon Award in the Hip Hop category. Ray's socially aware lyricism is best exemplified on his EP entitled "Rebel With a Cause". James Torme received this year’s Lennon Award for his Jazz composition "A Better Day Will Come". James’ vocal and compositional skills are illustrated in his debut CD "Love for Sale". Peter Torsiello's song Vamo' Ya won this year's Latin Lennon Award. Peter's debut album has earned him an abundance of critical acclaim and has resided on play lists in over 72 major national markets. "The Ladder" by Chicago songwriter Andrew Belle won the Lennon Award for Pop music. Belle's "smart pop" has garnered accolades from various sources, and opportunities to play with notable acts such as Ben Folds. Canadian songwriter/producer Michael Rosso received the Lennon Award for his R & B composition "Be Like You". Michael hopes to continue his efforts in the music business, and aspires to become a professional sound engineer or songwriter. Rock group Carlon's song "Cantaloupe" won the Lennon Award as well. Carlon's roots are in New Jersey, and they are signed to the independent record label Ropeadope Digital. Finally, World music duo Jaffa Road was the recipient of one of this years Lennon awards. Their LP Wulajan is available for purchase on cdbaby.com.
The 2008 Maxell Song of the Year winner, jazz artist Matt Cusson, continues to thrill live audiences and remote listeners. Last July, fellow musician and tour-mate Brian McKnight surprised Matt during one of their shows by announcing that Matt was the Song of the Year award recipient in the 12th annual John Lennon Songwriting Contest for "One of Those Nights." Almost one year later, Matt has pushed forward with his dreams and found all of the success that comes with hard work and determination. He continues to tour with McKnight and plays on The Brian McKnight Show, a program on the CW television network, and it is only a matter of time before his music is noticed by a record label. In the mean-time, his self-titled album is available on iTunes, and a second album is on the way. For more updates on Matt Cusson, visit www.myspace.com/mattcusson.
Remember to sign up for the 2010 Section II John Lennon Songwriting Contest! The deadline is December 15, 2010.

K-Sera

2010-06-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

On June 25, 2010, the Lennon Bus will arrive at the 15th annual Warped Tour. This historic music/extreme sports touring festival has featured many prominent artists such as Anti-Flag, Avenged Sevenfold, and My Chemical Romance. This years tour includes performances from Reel Big Fish, Streetlight Manifesto, Everclear, Mike Posner, Sum 41, and many more. Among the esteemed acts present is K-Sera, a finalist in the 2009 Section II John Lennon Songwriting Contest. They will be playing the festival from June 25-July 3, 2010.
K-Sera consists of Michael Caswell (Vocals/Guitar), Sean Stack (Lead guiar), David Christensen (Piano), Jordan McCoy (Bass), and Dustin Combs (Drums). The band began as the solo project of Michael Caswell in Sacramento, California. Eventually, by 2009, the lineup solidified and the band began touring. K-Sera was also able to record the EP "Smile for the Inevitable" under the production of Thomas Dutton. Their song "Me Before Women and Children" was a finalist in the 2009 Session II John Lennon Songwriting contest. This song can be downloaded for free here: http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/03/25/k-sera-me-before-women-children-free-mp3-download/.

Songwiters Hall of Fame

2010-06-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

Songwriters Hall of Fame

On June 22, 2009, three new inductees were added into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame. Among the honorees were Leonard Cohen, Phil Collins, Earth Wind and Fire, and Taylor Swift. The event took place at the Marriott Marquis in New York City, and included speeches by John Mayer, Billy Joel, Judy Collins, Paul Simon, David Foster and Johnny Mandel.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 by Johnny Mercer, a popular songwriter. Along with its anual induction dinner, the organization holds workshops, showcases, and offers scholarships to emerging musical artists. The induction ceremony is divided by a series of awards. These include the Hal Davids Starlight Award, the Johnny Mercer Award, the Abe Olman Publisher Award, and the Towering Song/Towering Performance award,
There have been 345 inducees to the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Notablke HJonorees incluide John Fogerty, Issac Hayes, Carole King, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Van Morrison, and many more. A full list can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductees_of_the_Songwriters_Hall_of_Fame.
Notably, Kerry Politzer, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest 2000 Honorable Mention winner, was given the honor of performing her contemporary jazz song "Love Is In The Atmosphere" at the Songwriters Hall of Fame's 62nd New Writers Showcase.

Photos from last night's events: http://www.rollingstone.com/files/content/mounts/sambamount/images/MUSIC/
GALLERY/2010_02/2010_06/songwriters_hall_of_fame/LeonardCohen_&_
TaylorSwift.jpg

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/118596

http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=1415

The Lennon Awards voting is open. CAST YOUR VOTE NOW!

2010-04-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

The Grand Prize Winners from the 2009 contest are competing head-to-head in their respective category to determine the 12 Lennon Award Winners Voting is open from March 26 to April 27 and the 12 Lennon Awards Winners will be announced on May 1, 2010. Each of the 12 winners win $1,000 in Mackie, Ampeg or Blackheart products, and 1,000 custom CD's printed in full-color six-panel digipaks courtesy of Disc Makers worth $1,990! Finally, all 12 Lennon Awards Winners are eligible to win an Apple Computer with Cinema Display, Logic Pro software, a Mackie Mixer and a pair of Mackie Studio Monitors AND the $20,000 Maxell Song of the Year!

The 2009 Lennon Awards Contestants are:

ROCK
Artist: Mog
Song: "Kings"
vs.
Artist: Carlon
Song: "Cantaloupe"

POP
Artist: Chase and The Reach
Song: “Battleground”
vs.
Artist: Andrew Belle
Song: “The Ladder”

HIP HOP
Artist: Ashley Llorens
Song: "Strange Kinda Love"
vs.
Artist: Ray Clayton
Song: "Apocalypse"

R & B
Artist: Michael Rosso
Song: "Be Like You"
vs.
Artist: Stedapol CC Watt
Song: "Samba Soul"

ELECTRONIC
Artist: Sean VanDommelen
Song: "Lonely Girl"
vs.
Artist: Junsu Kwon
Song: "Gossip"

COUNTRY
Artist: JD Dohnal and Dave Tough
Song: "The Beatles Without John"
vs.
Artist: Debra Gussin and Rick Howard
Song: "Is That You"

FOLK
Artist: Robyn Landis and Larry Murante
Song: "Paul's Song"
vs.
Artist: Madison Violet
Song: "The Ransom"

CHILDREN'S
Artist: Kate Rowe
Song: "Space Rabbits of Brocklevoons"
vs.
Artist: Lanny Sherwin
Song: "A Cappella"

JAZZ
Artist: Brian Swartz
Song: "Down With Downs"
vs.
Artist: James Torme and Carl E.K. Johnson
Song: "A Better Day Will Come"

WORLD
Artist: Jaffa Road
Song: "L.Y.G."
vs.
Artist: Skelpin
Song: "The View"

LATIN
Artist: Patricia Vonne
Song: "La Huerta de San Vincente"
vs.
Artist: Peter Torsiello and Liliana de Leon
Song: "Vamo Ya"

GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL
Artist: Casey Lee Smith
Song: "Never Stood Taller"
vs.
Artist: Generation Letter
Song: "Glorious"

To listen to the finalists and cast your vote visit www.jlsc.com/vote

Debut Album from David Choi!

2009-08-07T08:03:00.001-07:00

David Choi, a past winner of the JLSC, continues to pursue his musical dreams at full speed. His debut album, entitled "Only You," has three bonus tracks for a special Korea edition. Be sure to pick up a copy!

Interested in the full track listing? Here it is!

1. Always Hurt
2. Love
3. Won't Even Start
4. Heart
5. Something to Believe
6. Windmill
7. Let Go
8. Our Song
9. Only You
10. Don't Fade Away
11. I Can Get Used To This
12. Thief in the Night
13. Hold On
14. Enjoy the View

Korea Edition Bonus Tracks:
1. How Long
2. We'll Make It Last All Afternoon
3. Only You (cover version)

2009-08-05T11:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a video for the winner of the Children's category from 2004, The Chip and Vince Show.

The song is called Gimmie Gimmie Never Gets, and I'd have to say truer words have never been uttered!

Rob Murat!

2009-08-03T07:55:00.000-07:00

That's Lennon Award winner Rob Murat live at the Harlem Grill! You can see him perform at Public Theater: Joe's Pub this Friday, August 7th.
We're proud of Rob, and his accomplishments, courtesy of Joe's Pub:

"His recent accolades include live appearances on FOX and BET broadcasts, the Lennon Award in the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and collaborations with Grammy Award winning, producer, Devo Springsteen (Kanye West, John Legend), Hip Hop group, Kidz in the Hall, and buzz worthy newcomers, Blitz the Ambassador and Amanda Diva. His music can currently be heard on ESPN and TV One programming as well as a nationwide Verizon Wireless radio ad."

"It was kind of a thrill to win something other than a T-shirt"

2009-07-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

That's what 2008 Session II finalist in the Children's category, Dave Kern of the Rockaroos, says about his JLSC prize in an article from Colombian.com covering the group's 20th Anniversary.

Check out the article here!

The picture is also from Colombian.com

2007 Maxell Song of the Year Winners Have New Album Coming Out!

2009-07-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

Interested in hearing some great sounds from past JLSC winners? Then be sure to pick up a copy of Colourslide's new album, "Everybody's Right About Everybody." This exciting new release will be available in the fall.

Until then, there's plenty of time to learn more about Colourslide, a talented rock group. Their big break came when they won the $20,000 Maxell Song of the Year prize for their entry, "Wake-Up Call." Already, these JLSC winners have performed with the likes of Natasha Bedingfield, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Cheap Trick, and Blind Melon. They hope that their upcoming album will help them gain more exposure and maybe even a record deal.

Hear that, industry bigwigs? Colourslide might just be the next big thing!

2009-07-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

Former JLSC finalist Shane Hines and the Trance will be auctioning off a brand new Gibson SG guitar at their performance this Friday, July 24th, at Jammin Java in Vienna, Virginia.

The proceeds from the auction will go to benefit World Hunger Year, the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which, since 1975, dedicates their work to the elimination of both hunger and poverty.

If you are able, go out and support this cause!

Grand Prize Winner in Folk, Abbie Gardner, co-writes with Chris Stapleton

2009-07-14T10:24:00.000-07:00

American Songwriter Lyric Contest had a recent interview with Abbie Gardner, discussing a song she had recently co-written with The SteelDrivers member Chris Stapleton entitled "Bad Leaver". They talk about the writing process, working with Chris, co-writing in general and a little bit behind what "Bad Leaver" is all about.
Abbie is not only a Grand Prize Winner in the 2008 JLSC for the Folk category, but is the 2008 Grand Prize Winner of the American Songwriter Lyric Contest.

You can check out the interview with American Songwriter Lyric Contest here.

Thanks to American Songwriter Lyric Contest for the photo!

We Are Still Celebrating

2009-07-09T14:28:00.000-07:00

Brian McKnight presents the Lennon Contest’s Maxell Song of the Year to Matt Cusson on stage in Dallas.

From L to R: Executive Dir. Brian Rothschild, Song of the Year Winner Matt Cusson, Maxell Pres. Masaru Kamemoto, Brian McKnight

It's been a good few days for just announced "Maxell Song of the Year" winner, Matt Cusson, and that's because the "Maxell Song of the Year" award is the highest honor bestowed in the contest, as well as the most highly anticipated accolade of the year at the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

The winner of this highly sought-after prize receives a $20,000 check courtesy of the Maxell Corporation, an Apple Mac Pro, Cinema Display, a Mackie Mixer, a pair of Mackie Studio Monitors, and Logic Pro Software and a $250 gift certificate, for each band member, to Digital Media Academy.

Now that's a HUGE honor and grand prize- literally.

So, once again, congrats to Matt Cusson. Your gifted talent and true devotion to your passion for music has led you to win this well-deserved title.

Feel free to post a brief acknowledgment and extend your warm appraisals to any of the Matt Cusson websites below:

Official Fan Site

MySpace

Twitter

Sources:

http://www.jlsc.com/about.php

http://files.jlsc.com/2009/Photos/Photos%20For%20Jaime/07_08_09_JLSC_SOTY/

Suba Sankaran On Tour in Canada

2009-07-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

For all our fellow Canadians, you guys are in for a treat.

Former JLSC world category Grand Prize winner, Suba Sankaran, has a busy performing schedule planned for many upcoming concerts all across Canada.

A multi-talented performer, musician, composer, and educator, Sankaran has a lot going for her. Not only has she traveled extensively throughout North America, Europe, and Asia performing and sharing her rare gift to others, but she has also received numerous awards and distinctions for her scholarly work, performance, and compositions.

She is currently en route on her Canada-wide tour, performing from Ontario to Yukon. Click here to see a detailed schedule of her upcoming shows.

Sources:

http://www.subasankaran.com/content/view/14/105/

http://www.cbc.ca/musicaroundus/players/images/suba.jpg

Kate Schutt's Stunning Performance

2009-07-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

Former JLSC Jazz Grand Prize winner, Kate Schutt, recently gave a brilliant early performance at Canada AM, Canada's most-watched national morning news channel. Feast your eyes and ears to her spectacular performance for your listening pleasure (above).

Schutt is currently heading to Texas to kick off a string of live gigs, with confirmed locations in San Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth, and Austin. For her full schedule of dates and other details, click here.

Her latest album, "Telephone Game," was just released a few days ago, and is now available on iTunes.

Keep it coming, Kate!

Sources:

http://www.kateschutt.com/news.aspx

Jason Michael Carroll Records Song by Former JLSC Winner

2009-07-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

Well, this is an honor!

Country singer and major label artist, Jason Michael Carroll, has recorded the song, "Hurry Home," written by former JLSC country category winner, Zane Williams.

In addition, the original composition written by Williams is featured in Carroll's very own record, "Growing Up is Getting Old," as the tenth track. There is still no word yet on whether the song will become a single, but if it does, it will be turned into a video and get some playing time on the radio!

Apart from that, Williams is currently busy recording in the studio for his forthcoming album, which will be out in September. He will also be hitting the road in Texas and Oklahama with a four piece band.

Congrats on all the success, Zane!

To listen to the beautifully arranged rendition of "Hurry Home," visit Carroll's MySpace page here.

Sources:

http://www.zanewilliamsmusic.com/blog.cfm?mpf=frame&

http://www.ranchhousesachse.com/artists/zane-williams.jpg

http://www.countrysplash.com/artists/jasonmichaelcarroll.jpg

Thaddeus Rex to Perform...for Free!

2009-07-09T09:06:00.000-07:00

There's never an excuse to miss out on a free concert, right?

Former JLSC children's category winner, Thaddeus Rex, is set to perform a few free shows just for you! His upcoming show in Akron, Ohio will take place on July 12th at 3PM. He will be doing what he does best at this special public concert for the Italian-American society, which is planned to last for about 45 minutes.

But that's not all. Thaddeus Rex is set to perform much, much more thereafter, with more free shows to come! Click here to check out his scheduled performances at a location near you.

It's great to see musicians like Thaddeus Rex perform for large audiences because of their true love and passion for their music, and nothing else.

Good on you, Thaddeus Rex!

Sources:

http://www.thaddeusrex.com/calendar/

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/files/2009/05/thaddeus-rex-we-wanna-rock.jpg

Matt Cusson Announced the Winner of "Maxell Song of the Year"!

2009-07-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

Brian McKnight presents the Lennon Contest’s Maxell Song of the Year to Matt Cusson on stage in Dallas.

From L to R: Executive Dir. Brian Rothschild, Song of the Year Winner Matt Cusson, Maxell Pres. Masaru Kamemoto, Brian McKnight

A winner has finally been announced!

Let's all give Matt Cusson a big congratulations for all his hard work and dedication as he has rightfully earned the "Maxell Song of the Year," as well as a $20,000 check courtesy of Maxell Corporation.

He is currently embarking on a worldwide tour with R&B sensation, Brian McKnight, who believes Cusson "has an incredible gift." Cusson has also worked with Christina Aguilera, James and Livingston Taylor, Jessica Simpson, and many more notable musicians and artists.

Apart from winning "Maxell Song of the Year," Cusson has also won the intensely competitive "Amateur Night at the Apollo" in New York City on three separate occasions. He has also received the wonderful honor and coveted opportunities to perform live for popular televised shows, such as ABC's #1 daytime television show, "The View," and "Live with Regis and Kelly.".

For more information on Cusson's big win, check out the winner page on the official JLSC website by clicking here.

So, once again, let's all extend a warm congratulations to our new "Maxell Song of the Year" winner, the one and only Matt Cusson!

Sources:

http://www.jlsc.com/winners/2008b/song_of_the_year.php

http://www.philipmyersmusic.com/band.php

http://files.jlsc.com/2009/Photos/Photos%20For%20Jaime/07_08_09_JLSC_SOTY/07_08_09_Dallas_TX%2018.JPG

This Is A Rockin' Bus Contest

2009-07-08T14:26:00.000-07:00

This is your opportunity to record in the same studio that artists such as the Black Eyed Peas, John Legend and Mos Def have recorded!

Submit for the opportunity to record a music video on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, brought to you by the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and Broadjam. One band will be selected to record their video at the Warped Tour stop at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA on August 20, 2009 and get an awesome prize pack from the JLSC and its sponsors.

The prize pack includes:

*One day Lennon Bus Live recording session on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus at Vans Warped Tour

*1 Godin Guitar

*Maxell Prize Pack for each band member (includes CDRs, disc wipes, and other goodies)

*One free entry into the John Lennon Songwriting Contest

*1 year Primo MoB membership for each band member ($199/year retail)

You can either bring a pre-recorded audio track, or record a new version on board the Bus. Submissions will be reviewed and selections will be made by the staff of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. They will be looking for bands with not only a great sound but marketability.

Important Dates:
Winners announced: July 17, 2009

Please note: This opportunity is open to bands with a maximum of five members, as only five members will be able to get onto the Warped Tour grounds, where the bus will be, to record their video. There are no regional restrictions, but the selected artists are responsible for their own travel arrangements and expenses and should be available to be in the city they apply for on the date outlined above. Artists should also plan to bring minimal gear with them – The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus staff will let selected artists know what gear is available to help determine what bands need to bring with them.

Luisa Sobral to Release New Album After Finishing Studies

2009-07-07T14:36:00.000-07:00

Former JLSC jazz finalist, Luisa Sobral, has been studying hard as she is finishing up her degree at the reputable Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

Upon finishing her degree, Sobral plans to release her first ever album in August.

What an inspiration! We can't wait to hear it, Luisa!

Sources:

http://www.myspace.com/luisasobral

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201870210&albumID=450705&imageID=21462602

California Welcomes Early States with Open Arms

2009-07-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

Rock band and former JLSC rock finalists, The Early States, have jet-setted to California early June, and have been playing a number of gigs for their beloved fans.

Led by 19-year old frontman Zack Gray, The Early States has managed to reach notable success after the release of their debut EP, "Powerlines," which features seven original tracks. Their unique sound has been described to be a blend of U2, fused with minor influences from Radiohead and Augustana.

To watch The Early States live in sunny California, click here for dates.

Sources:

http://www.myspace.com/earlystates

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=323477539&albumID=771792&imageID=16592793