The New York Songwriter’s Circle today announced the names of the 12 finalists for its fourth annual “Songwriting Contest” and the three finalists for its “Young Songwriters Award.” The NYSC is also proud to announce that Ida Østergaard from Copenhagen, Denmark, is the 2009 recipient of its prestigious “International Writers Award.” The Grand Prize winner will be determined by an esteemed panel of judges at live performances on November 18 and the 19 (8 p.m.) at the legendary Bitter End in New York City. Tickets for both performances can be obtained by going to: http://www.theatermania.com/new-york/shows/ny-songwriters-circle-contest-finals_161221/
The twelve Songwriting Contest finalists are: Barnaby Bright – “Gravity,” Kate Branagh – “Tether,” Caleb Hawley – “Other Side Of It All,” Clara Oman – “Song for Ruthie,” Janet Onyenucheya – “The Element,” Adrien Reju – “When The Curtain Falls,” Martin Rivas – “North,” Bobby Smith – “The Breakup Song,” Chloe Temtchine – “Four Letter Fever,” Justin Tracy – “Secrets,” The Sweet Remains — “Easy,” Reed Waddle – “Piece By Piece.”
“Every year we are truly amazed by the incredible songs that are submitted and the stories that inspired them,” said accomplished singer/songwriter and President of the New York Songwriter’s Circle, Tina Shafer. “We are very fortunate to have such an outstanding panel of judges to assist in the process and work with us to help launch the careers of artists who deserve to be recognized.”
New for 2009, the three finalists selected for the “Young Songwriter Award” were chosen by voters on the social networking and online gaming site fashionfantasygame .com. The finalists competing for the award are: 15-year-old Ali Brustofski of New York, NY; 17-year-old Aubrey Caswell of Thousand Oaks, CA; and 17-year-old Maddie Georgi from Pittsburgh, PA. Music lovers, fans and friends are encouraged to listen to the submissions and vote online exclusively atwww .fashionfantasygame.com . Voting is open through November 8th at 11:59 p.m. EST. The “Young Songwriters Award” winner will be chosen by FFG voters and announced on November 19th at the NYSC’s live grand finale event at the Bitter End.
Past winners of the worldwide recognized New York Songwriter’s Circle annual Songwriting Contest include such notable performers as Kate Voegele, Company of Thieves and Mieka Pauley. Also of note, Grammy Award winning songwriter Gordon Chambers (who wrote “I Appologize” for Anita Baker) and Siedah Garret (who co-wrote the #1 single “Man in the Mirror” for Michael Jackson) both have graced the stages of the New York Songwriters Circle.
Serving as judges for this years competition are Grammy Award winning songwriter/producer/legendary rock performer John Oates (who will also perform as our special guest on the 19th), Grammy Award winning producer Russ Titelman (Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Chaka Khan, Cindi Lauper and Ricki Lee Jones to names a few), Q104.3 Radio’s Jonathan Clarke and many more.
This year’s Songwriting Contest winner will take home over $25,000 in cash and prizes including a performance spot with Grammy Winner John Oates in Aspen, CO, a top of the line Gibson acoustic guitar, an opportunity to record with Grammy Award Winning Producer Glenn Barrett and a guest spot on Jonathan Clarke’s Q104.3radio show (New York and America’s).
Sponsors for the 2009 Songwriting Contest include Gibson Guitars, sonicbids.com, broadjam.com, Ascap , BMI, , Sesac, MorningStar Studios, Dubway Studios, 795 Records/Denise Rich Publishing, Blue Light Digital Sound and onlinegigs.com.
About the New York Songwriters’ Circle:
For over 19 years, the New York Songwriter’s Circle has been producing and directing bimonthly shows at the legendary Bitter End club, in New York City’s West Village. The Circle has launched the careers of notable artists such as Norah Jones, Jesse Harris, Lisa Loeb, Vanessa Carlton, Gavin DeGraw, NYSC songwriting contest winner and regular on “One Tree Hill,” Kate Voegele, Company of Thieves and Chris Barron. The circle has quickly become one of the most popular music events in Manhattan, attracting not only the best up and coming songwriting talent from around the world but also top music industry executives looking to discover “the next big thing”. Currently The New York Songwriter’s Circle hosts live music showcases across the country including New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles as well as an educational “Loft Series” dedicated to supporting, nurturing and empowering artists in this new age of the Music industry.
Submitted by Gibson Communications, LLC
