This is a new record label out of Nashville. So far the roster includes Thompson Square (married duo Keifer and Shawna Thompson), George Ducas, and Jason Meadows.
ISC Extends Songwriting Contest Deadline
HTML MessageThe International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has extended its submission deadline until December 1, 2008. ISC will continue to take online, mail-in, and MySpace entries until this date. All entries must be postmarked or uploaded online on or before December 1, 2008. So, if you have not already entered ISC and wish to do so, you still have time to enter.
ISC gives away over $150,000 in cash and prizes to 62 winners in 20 categories. The Overall Grand Prize includes $25,000 (US) in cash – the largest cash Grand Prize of any songwriting competition in the world. ISC is open to all levels of amateur and professional songwriters throughout the world.
For more information and an entry form, go to www.songwritingcompetition.com.
A total of 55 high-profile music icons and industry executives have joined together to judge the 2008 ISC. Consistent in its tradition of having such esteemed judges, ISC continues to raise the bar for songwriting competitions. The opportunity to have these judges hear ISC entrants’ songs offers an unprecedented chance to access these hard-to-reach, influential decision-makers – the movers and shakers in the music industry.
Candace Avery, Founder and Director of ISC, states, “ISC judges really enjoy discovering new talent and helping aspiring artists move to the next level in their career. Many of our judges have reached out to entrants and helped them to achieve their aspirations. Also, ISC is particularly excited about the recent signing of ISC’s Grand Prize winner Gin Wigmore to Islands Records (in Australia and New Zealand) and Universal Records (in the USA). We are thrilled that Gin’s success is a direct result of her winning ISC.“
ISC judge Robert Smith, lead singer of The Cure, talks about his participation in the competition. “Judging the competition, I was astounded at the quality and range of abilities on show – the originality, honesty, and depth of so many of the words, the charm, vivacity, and catchiness of the tunes, and the often staggering energy, skill, and intensity of the performances – the talent left me at times breathless! Judging ISC was a real pleasure.“
The complete ISC judging panel includes recording artists Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20); Chaka Khan; Tom Waits; KT Tunstall; Robert Smith (The Cure); Ricky Martin; Loretta Lynn; Neil Finn (Crowded House); Buckcherry; T-Pain; James Cotton; Jerry Lee Lewis; Craig Morgan; Ray Davies (The Kinks); McCoy Tyner; Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Michael W. Smith; Chris Hillman (The Byrds); John Scofield; Mario; Black Francis (The Pixies); Youssou N’Dour; John Mayall; DJ Tiësto; Paul Van Dyk; Jon Secada; Natalie Grant; Jeremy Camp; Matt Thiessen (Relient K); Pittbull; Angelique Kidjo; “Weird Al” Yankovic; Sandra Bernhard; and David Brenner.
Jewel Pranks Brad Paisley!
Hillarious…especially since Paisley seems a little scared as he’s being handcuffed. For the full video go here.
Dolly Parton Releases “Shinola” For Digital Delivery
Dolly Records announced that it has released “Shinola” for digital delivery to radio via AirPlay Direct. The first new Dolly album in three years features twelve tracks including “Better Get to Livin’,” “Jesus & Gravity,” and “Only Dreamin’.”
Dolly Records will digitally deliver these tracks to radio stations globally and free of charge exclusively through AirPlay Direct. Utilizing digital delivery streamlines the process for all involved and allows Dolly Records to service radio stations around the world in a quick and efficient manner. Radio programmers can listen and then download these songs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at their convenience by visiting http://www.airplaydirect.com/dollyparton. Dolly Parton is a Featured Artist and Spotlight Artist for the month of October on AirPlay Direct.
“We are excited to have Dolly as part of our site,” said Robert Weingartz, CEO of AirPlay Direct. “She has an uncommon sense of grace to her songwriting and it is a pleasure to be able to share this with radio programmers around the world.”
Grammy Nominations To Be Announced Live!
Not much is on TV in early December–it’s mainly Christmas movies or specials. But now, I have something to look forward to. The Grammy Award nominations will be announced live on CBS on December 3 at 10pm ET. They’ll probably only be announcing the major categories, but maybe they’ll include some country and bluegrass nominations. They’ll be announcing who will be announcing the nominations in the next few days, probably in the next week or so. When they do, I’ll share them with you.
CMA Performers
So far the list of who’s going to sing at the CMA Awards include Trace Adkins, Kid Rock (what is HE doing there–he’s not COUNTRY!), Lady Antebellum, The Wailers (who?), Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban. Something I didn’t know–Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum. Her mother is Linda Davis! Hard to believe that fourteen years ago, Linda Davis won the CMA Vocal Event of the Year Award for her duet with Reba McEntire, “Does He Love You.” And now, fourteen years later, her daughter might win either (or both) New Artist or Vocal Group of the Year. What a small world.
