International Songwriting Competition

ISC 2008 JUDGES
RECORDING ARTISTS / SONGWRITERS
Rob Thomas Grammy Winner Matchbox 20	Tom Waits Grammy Winner Singer/Songwriter	Chaka Khan Grammy Winner	Robert Smith The Cure	Loretta Lynn Legendary Country Artist
Neil Finn Crowded House Singer/Songwriter	Buckcherry Grammy Nominee	Ray Davies Rock & Roll Hall of Famer The Kinks	Jerry Lee Lewis Rock n Roll legend	T-Pain Grammy Nominee
Angelique Kidjo 2008 Grammy Winner "Best Contemporary World Music Album"	Chris Hillman Founding Member The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers	Michael W. Smith Grammy Winner Contemporary Christian Artist	KT Tunstall Grammy Nominee	McCoy Tyner Jazz Pianist Grammy Winner
Craig Morgan Country Artist Singer/Songwriter	Darryl McDaniels Founding Member Run D.M.C.	John Mayall Legendary Blues Artist	James Cotton Grammy Winner Blues Artist	John Scofield Grammy Nominee Jazz Guitarist
Black Francis The Pixies	Youssou N'Dour Grammy Winner Renowned African Singer/Songwriter	Paul Van Dyk DJ and Producer Grammy Nominee	Mario R&B/Pop Artist	"Weird Al" Yankovic Most Successful Musical Comedy Recording Artist In History 3X Grammy Winner
DJ Tiësto Producer/Remixer/DJ

MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
Monte Lipman President Universal Records	Angel Carrasco Sr.VP of A&R Latin America Sony BMG and President, Discos 605	Cameron Strang President New West Records	Steve Lillywhite Producer (credits include U2, the Rolling Stones, Morrissey, Peter Gabriel, and more)	Bruce Iglauer Founder/President Alligator Records
Douglas C. Cohn Sr. Vice-President, Music Marketing & Talent Nickelodeon	Dan Storper President Putamayo World Music Records	Cory Robbins Founder/President Robbins Entertainment	Betty Pino DJ, WAMR Pioneer of Latin Radio	Paul Majors CEO/Founder Majors Music
Leib Ostrow CEO Music For Little People	Amy Doyle Sr. Vice-President Music and Talent MTV	Jon Pikus Director of A&R My Space Records	Peter Strickland Senior VP Jack Records/ Warner Bros. Records	Mitchell Cohen VP of A&R Verve Music Group
Nick Burgess Head of A&R Virgin Records UK	Dr. Demento Radio Host The Dr. Demento Show	Kim Buie VP of A&R Lost Highway	Renee Bell Executive VP A&R Sony BMG Nashville	More tba....
Click here for a list of past judges

ISC 2008 PRIZES
OVERALL GRAND PRIZE $25,000 cash (U.S.) and $20,000 in merchandise/services FIRST PLACE WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY $3,000 in merchandise/services
The First Place winner of the Teen category also receives a scholarship to Berklee College of Music's 2008 Five-Week Summer Performance Program. Tuition and room and board are included in this prize. Located in Boston, MA, Berklee College of Music was founded in 1945. It is the world's largest independent music college and the premier institution for the study of contemporary music. Click here for more information.
SECOND PLACE WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY $2,000 in merchandise and services THIRD PLACE WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY $1,000 in merchandise and services PEOPLE'S VOICE WINNER One winner out of all the finalists will be selected by the public in an online vote. The Peoples' Voice winner will receive over $1500 in prizes. In addition to the winners listed above, ISC will announce a group of Honorable Mentions.

Depending on the genre, submissions are judged on the basis of:
Creativity	Originality	Melody	Lyrics	Instrumentation	Arrangement

Production/recording quality and vocal ability are not considered in the judging process. The entry does not need to be a professional recording.

In addition to cash and merchandise prizes, winners benefit from a multilateral promotional campaign designed to give international exposure and attention to their songwriting achievements. The Grand Prize winner
and First Place winners (except for Lyrics Only and Music Video) will also be included on the ISC Compilation CD distributed to music industry professionals including publishers, record label executives, film and tv music supervisors, and media.