International Songwriting Competition
Encyclopedia
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual song contest based in Nashville, TN
, whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of songwriters on all levels and promote excellence in the art of songwriting. Amateur and professional songwriters and musicians are invited to participate. ISC has the most prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting and music contests in the world, offering exposure and the opportunity to have your songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music industry. Submissions are judged on creativity, originality, lyrics, melody, and arrangement; production/Recording quality and vocal ability are not judged.
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Tom Waits; Tori Amos; Jeff Beck; Lucinda Williams; Simon Le Bon and Roger Taylor (Duran Duran); Billy Currington; My Morning Jacket; Kelly Clarkson; Keane; McCoy Tyner; Wynonna; Francesca Battistelli; Tegan and Sara; Massive Attack; Michael W. Smith; Alejandro Sanz; Johnny Clegg; Jeremy Camp; Ray Wylie Hubbard; John Mayall; Craig Morgan; Basement Jaxx; James Cotton; Trombone Shorty; Robert Earl Keen; Black Francis (The Pixies); Mose Allison; Robert Smith (The Cure); Amadou & Mariam; Sandra Bernhard; Darryl McDaniels (Run D.M.C.); Toots Hibbert (Toots & The Maytals); Matt Thiessen (Relient K); and Chayanne
Industry Executives:
Monte Lipman (President, Universal Republic Records); David Massey (President, Mercury Records); Brian Malouf (VP A&R, Walt Disney Records); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP A&R, Latin America, Sony/BMG); Ric Arboit (President, Nettwerk Music Group); Anastasia Brown (Music Supervisor, FORMAT); Dr. Demento (Radio Host, The Dr. Demento Show); Allison Jones (VP of A&R, Big Machine Label Group); Steve Lillywhite (Producer); Dan Storper (President, Putamayo World Music Records and Putumayo Kids); Kim Buie (Head of A&R, Thirty Tigers); Douglas C. Cohn (Sr. VP, Music Marketing & Talent, Nickelodeon); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, J Records); Antony Bland (A&R, American Recordings); and Steve Smith (VP of A&R, Aware Records); and Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment)
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Kasey Chambers
(Liberation Music [AUS], Sugar Hill Records [USA], EMI), 2010
King Charles
(Universal Republic), 2009
Kate Miller-Heidke
(Sony BMG), 2008
Catie Curtis
(Capitol Records), 2005
Gin Wigmore
(Island Records), 2004
Moana Maree Maniapoto
(Sony BMG), 2003
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Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of songwriters on all levels and promote excellence in the art of songwriting. Amateur and professional songwriters and musicians are invited to participate. ISC has the most prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting and music contests in the world, offering exposure and the opportunity to have your songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music industry. Submissions are judged on creativity, originality, lyrics, melody, and arrangement; production/Recording quality and vocal ability are not judged.
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Categories
AAA (Adult Album Alternative), Adult Contemporary (AC), Americana, Blues, Children's Music, Comedy/Novelty, Country, Dance/Electronica, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Gospel/Christian, Instrumental, Jazz, Latin Music, Lyrics Only, Music Video, Performance, Pop/Top 40, R&B/Hip-Hop, Rock, Teen, World Music, and Unsigned Only. Entrants may submit as many songs as they wish - in the same category or in multiple categories.----
Prizes
68 Winners share in over $150,000 in cash and prizes:- Overall Grand Prize Winner - $25,000 cash (USD) and $20,000 in prizes
- First Place Winners in each category - $3,000 in prizes
- Second Place Winners in each category - $2,000 in prizes
- Third Place winners in each category - $1,000 in prizes
- Peoples' Voice Online Voting – $1,500 in prizes
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2011 Judges Include
Recording Artists:Tom Waits; Tori Amos; Jeff Beck; Lucinda Williams; Simon Le Bon and Roger Taylor (Duran Duran); Billy Currington; My Morning Jacket; Kelly Clarkson; Keane; McCoy Tyner; Wynonna; Francesca Battistelli; Tegan and Sara; Massive Attack; Michael W. Smith; Alejandro Sanz; Johnny Clegg; Jeremy Camp; Ray Wylie Hubbard; John Mayall; Craig Morgan; Basement Jaxx; James Cotton; Trombone Shorty; Robert Earl Keen; Black Francis (The Pixies); Mose Allison; Robert Smith (The Cure); Amadou & Mariam; Sandra Bernhard; Darryl McDaniels (Run D.M.C.); Toots Hibbert (Toots & The Maytals); Matt Thiessen (Relient K); and Chayanne
Industry Executives:
Monte Lipman (President, Universal Republic Records); David Massey (President, Mercury Records); Brian Malouf (VP A&R, Walt Disney Records); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP A&R, Latin America, Sony/BMG); Ric Arboit (President, Nettwerk Music Group); Anastasia Brown (Music Supervisor, FORMAT); Dr. Demento (Radio Host, The Dr. Demento Show); Allison Jones (VP of A&R, Big Machine Label Group); Steve Lillywhite (Producer); Dan Storper (President, Putamayo World Music Records and Putumayo Kids); Kim Buie (Head of A&R, Thirty Tigers); Douglas C. Cohn (Sr. VP, Music Marketing & Talent, Nickelodeon); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, J Records); Antony Bland (A&R, American Recordings); and Steve Smith (VP of A&R, Aware Records); and Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment)
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Past Judges Include
Aaron Lewis (Staind), Adele, Alan Meltzer (Founder/CEO, Wind-Up Records), Amanda Ghost (President of Epic Records), Amy Doyle (Sr. Vice-President Music and Talent of MTV), Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Angelique Kidjo, Arif Mardin (Former President, Manhattan Records and Vice-President, Atlantic Records), B.B. King, Baaba Maal, BeBe Winans, Ben Folds, Ben Harper, Bo Diddley, Brad Schwartz (Sr. VP/General Mgr., Much MTV Group), Branford Marsalis, Brian Wilson, Bruce Lundvall (President, EMI Blue Note Label Group), Buckcherry, Cassandra Wilson, Chaka Khan, Charlie Walk (Former President, Epic Records), Cheech Marin (Cheech & Chong), Chris Hillman (The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers), Chris Parr (Former VP, Music Programming and Talent Relations, CMT), Clint Black, Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay), Dan Zanes, Daniel Glass (Founder/CEO, Glassnote Entertainment Group ), David Bendeth (Former Sr. VP A&R, RCA Records), David Lindley, DJ Tiesto, Eddie Kramer (Producer), Frank Callari (Co-Founder/Former Sr. VP A&R, Lost Highway), Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol), Glen Barros (President/CEO, Concord Music Group), Guru, James Diener (President, A&M/Octone Records), James Mercer (The Shins), Jazmine Sullivan, Jeff Fenster (Sr. VP A&R, Jive Records), Jeffrey Steele, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Bralower (Producer), Joe Nichols, Joe Satriani, John Digweed, John Ondrasik (Five For Fighting), John Scofield, Jon Secada, Joss Stone, Journey, Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), K'Naan, Keith Wozencroft (President, Capitol Music and Virgin Records UK), Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kim Stephens (A&R, Capitol Records), Kings of Leon, KT Tunstall, Lisa Ramsey Perkins (Sr. Director, A&R of Sony Nashville), Loretta Lynn, Macy Gray, Mario, Medeski Martin & Wood, Michael Gudinski (Founder, Mushroom Records), Michael McDonald (Co-Founder, ATO Records), Mitchell Cohen (Former VP A&R, Verve Music Group), Mona Scott-Young (Former Co-Owner/President, Violator Management), Montel Jordan, Natalie Grant, Neil Finn (Crowded House), Nelly Furtado, Nile Rodgers (Producer), Ornette Coleman, P. Diddy, Pat Metheny, Patrick Moxey (Founder/Owner, Ultra Records), Paul Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk, Paulina Rubio, Peter Asher (Former President, Sanctuary Artist Mgmt.), Peter Furler (Newsboys), Peter Gabriel, Peter Hook (New Order), Phil Vassar, Pitbull, Raine Maida (Our Lady Peace), Ray Davies (The Kinks), Regina Spektor, Rick Krim (Executive VP Talent and Music Programming of VH1), Ricky Martin, Rihanna, Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20), Robbie Williams, Robert Beeson (Founder, Essential Records ), Rose Noone (Former Sr. VP A&R, Epic Records), Sasha, Scott Kirkland (The Crystal Method), Sean Paul, Seymour Stein (Chairman/CEO of Sire Records), Sonny Rollins, Stacey Earle, Steve Vai, Steve Winwood, Sully Erna (Godsmack), T-Pain, Taj Mahal, Terence Blanchard, The Donnas, Timbaland, Toby Mac, Tommy Morris (Telent Coordinator, The Comedy Store), Tracy Gershon (Sr. VP and Head of A&R, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville), Train, Vanessa Carlton, Weird Al Yankovic, Youssou N'Dour, and more!----
Notable Grand Prize Winners
Many Grand Prize winners have been signed by major labels and gone on to find continued success.Kasey Chambers
Kasey Chambers
Kasey Chambers is an Australian country singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of steel guitar player Bill Chambers, and the sister of musician and producer Nash Chambers.-Solo success:...
(Liberation Music [AUS], Sugar Hill Records [USA], EMI), 2010
King Charles
King Charles
King Charles may refer to:*A number of kings named Charles I *A number of kings named Charles II *A number of kings named Charles III *A number of kings named Charles IV...
(Universal Republic), 2009
Kate Miller-Heidke
Kate Miller-Heidke
Kate Miller-Heidke is a singer-songwriter from Brisbane, Australia. Although classically trained, she has followed a career in alternative pop music. She is signed to Sony Australia, Epic in the US and RCA in the UK.-Career:...
(Sony BMG), 2008
Catie Curtis
Catie Curtis
Catie Curtis is an American singer-songwriter. Her music has been categorized in several genres, including pop, rock, alternative country, indie and folk. She has recorded 11 CDs. The most recent, Stretch Limousine On Fire, will be released in August 2011 on Compass Records.-Early life:Catie...
(Capitol Records), 2005
Gin Wigmore
Gin Wigmore
Virginia "Gin" Wigmore is a New Zealand singer-songwriter. In 2009, she featured on the single "Brother" by Smashproof, which reached #1 on the RIANZ singles charts for 11 weeks. In 2009 she released her debut album Holy Smoke...
(Island Records), 2004
Moana Maree Maniapoto
Moana (singer)
Moana Maree Maniapoto MNZM is a New Zealand singer, songwriter and documentary maker.-History:As a performing and recording artist, Moana has pushed the boundaries of Māori music with her unique blend of traditional Maori musical elements and contemporary western grooves.Both her recorded and...
(Sony BMG), 2003
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