05.02.2004: Irish songwriters do well in International Songwriting Competition:Candace Avery

more news... back to home page...

The International Songwriting
Competition (ISC) is very pleased to announce its winners for the 2003
annual competition. Called "the songwriting competition to take note of" by the New York Times, ISC received over 11,000 entries from 60 countries this year.

ISC prizes include more than $100,000 (USD) in cash and merchandise and are shared by 68 winners in 13 categories.

Winning the overall Grand Prize is Moana Maniapoto of Auckland, New Zealand for her world music song "Moko." This is the first time any major songwriting competition based in the USA has awarded its top honors to any songwriter from outside the USA.

The winning song "Moko," is a
compelling fusion of smooth world music and an urban sound with earthy,
international beats. "Moko" is rich in lyrical content and reflects the
Maori spirit and culture.

Many songwriters from the United Kingdom and Ireland also placed extremely well in the competition, taking home honors in a variety of categories, including:

Patrick Freyne/Pol O'Conghaile (Dublin, Ireland), Honorable Mention,
AAA/Roots/Americana - "Mud"

Carole Nelson (Borris, Ireland), Runner-Up, Jazz - "I Just Like To Drink
Alone"

Julian Charlton (Dublin, Ireland), Semi-Finalist, AAA/Roots/Americana -
"Jimmy Cole In Nashville"

Indian (Sligo, Ireland), Semi-Finalist, Rock - "Cities"

The ISC panel of judges included top executives, songwriters, and producers
in the music industry:

Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20); B.B. King; Pat Metheny; Phil Vassar; Dan
Haseltine (Jars Of Clay); Vanessa Carlton; Bebe Winans; Guru (Gang Starr); Paul Oakenfold; Raine Maida (Our Lady Peace); Nile Rodgers; Monte Lipman (President, Universal Records); Arif Mardin (VP/GM, Manhattan Records); Bruce Lundvall (CEO/President, Capitol Jazz/Classics); Michael Gudinski (Chairman, Mushroom Group Of Companies); Frank Callari (Artist Manager); Tina Davis (Sr. VP A&R, Def Jam/Def Soul); Rose Noone (Sr. VP A&R, Epic Records); Jimmy Bralower (Producer); Kim Stephens (VP A&R/Promotion, Lava Records); Tara Griggs-Magee (Executive VP, Gospel & Urban Music, Sony Music Entertainment); and Robert Beeson (President, Essential Records).

Email the author
Printer-friendly version