July 14, 2010 – The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has put together the most high-profile and prestigious judging panel in its nine-year history. Known for its high caliber of judges, ISC offers songwriters and artists the unprecedented opportunity to have their music heard by some of the world’s most iconic and successful recording artists, as well as many major and indie record label presidents.

Now accepting entries for the 2010 competition, ISC gives away more than $150,000 in cash and prizes (shared among the 66 winners) including an overall Grand Prize consisting of $25,000 (US) cash and $20,000 in prizes.

To enter, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com

Open to both amateur and professional songwriters, ISC offers 22 categories to enter, representing all genres of popular music. Past winners have included artists at all levels, from Grammy winners to hobbyist songwriters and everyone in between. To better level the playing field for unsigned artists, ISC has added this year the “Unsigned Only” category which is open to songwriters and artists not signed to a major label record deal, publishing company, or distribution deal. This category provides an excellent opportunity for unknown artists to compete against others on a similar level.

Winning ISC can be a tremendous career booster. In the past five years, three of the Grand Prize winners have been signed to major label deals (Universal and Epic). Many more winners have secured publishing deals, smaller label deals, licensing deals, and distribution deals in addition to getting more gigs, fans, and recognition.

Monte Lipman, President of Universal Records, talks about his role as an ISC judge: “We’re always been impressed with the talented songwriters who participate in the ISC. This is a great A&R source to find new artists.”

ISC judges include:

Recording Artists:

• Peter Gabriel;
• Rihanna;
• Kings of Leon;
• Tom Waits;
• Ben Harper;
• Jeff Beck;
• Kelly Clarkson;
• Timbaland;
• Keane;
• McCoy Tyner;
• Ben Folds;
• Train;
• Wynonna;
• Robbie Williams;
• Michael W. Smith;
• John Scofield;
• Jerry Lee Lewis;
• Regina Spektor;
• Alejandro Sanz;
• Jeremy Camp;
• Terence Blanchard;
• Ray Wylie Hubbard;
• Montel Jordan;
• John Mayall;
• Craig Morgan;
• Jazmine Sullivan;
• DJ Tiesto;
• James Cotton;
• Sandra Bernhard;
• Robert Earl Keen;
• Baaba Maal;
• John Digweed;
• K’Naan;
• Adele;
• Black Francis (The Pixies);
• Robert Smith (The Cure);
• Chris Hillman (The Byrds);
• Darryl McDaniels (Run D.M.C.);
• Toots Hibbert (Toots & The Maytals);
• Matt Thiessen (Relient K);
• and more to be announced…

Industry Executives:

• Monte Lipman (President, Universal Republic Records);
• Amanda Ghost (President, Epic Records);
• Rick Krim (Exec. VP, Talent & Music Programming, VH1);
• 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);
• Daniel Glass (Founder/CEO, Glassnote Entertainment Group);
• Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment);
• Dr. Demento (Radio Host, The Dr. Demento Show);
• Steve Lillywhite (Producer);
• Dan Storper (President, Putamayo World Music Records and Putumayo Kids);
• Lisa Ramsey Perkins (Sr. Director, A&R Sony Nashville)
• Kim Buie (VP A&R, Lost Highway);
• and more to be announced.

Please visit http://www.songwritingcompetition.com for an entry form or more details.

ISC Sponsors:

• ASCAP,
• Berklee College Of Music,
• Disc Makers,
• D’Addario,
• Shure,
• Thayers,
• Onlinegigs,
• SongU.com,
• The Music Business Registry,
• Independent Mastering,
• Indie Venue Bible,
• George Stein, Esq.,
• Sonicbids,
• Taxi,
• Music Submit,
• and Alphabet Arm Design

The San Diego Songwriter’s Guild is now on Facebook and we invite to join us there.  There are two pages one is the FAN page and the other is the Group Page please join both and invite your songwriting friends as well

SDSG Fan Page

SDSG Group Page

[Click here for more details on the Songwriter Seminar]

A Legal Seminar with attorneys

• Valerie Ann Nemeth
• Michael Hoisington
• Paul Mirowski
• Jeff Mach

Covering a variety of topics relating to legal issues pertinent to musicians, bands, and songwriters.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 7 PM
Swedenborg Hall
1531 Tyler Avenue
San Diego, CA 9210

Free to SDSG Members

Public Welcome -Admission $15.00

SDSG Memberships available at SDSongwriters.org or at the Door.

When owning a digital label you will need to know the numerous legal aspects covered in this book. It explains the relevance of copyrights, and having contracts in place when representing other artists. There are numerous contract templates available inside the book which are beneficial. You will discover many examples on how royalties are paid, this will divulge to you how money is divided in regards to music sales, ticket sales and artist development.

As you study this book you will discover the core elements that are needed when operating a digital record label. If you have ever considered beginning your own record label then you have to obtain this book today.

Click Here to get this book!

Entrants were shooting to win a rich prize package including Six Hour Recording Session at Chuck Schiele’s StudiOB92107,  KPRI Homegrown Hour Radio Airplay sponsored by ListenLocalSD.com, a 30 Minute set at Humphrey’s Showcase or House of Blues from Black Cherry Group, a Bag of Schwag from Moze Guitars, plus a Guitar Set-Up, an acoustic guitar from local custom luthier Cervantes Guitars , and $250 in Cash from SDSG.

Performing in the LIVE Finals at Humphrey’s Backstage Shelter Island, on the evening of Saturday, April 3, 2010 were Baja Blues Boys, Charlie Recksieck, Diane Waters, Vanity Affair, Rob Mehl, and Bar Elements.

Our second panel of judges cast their votes in the finals. Producer Chuck Schiele, Guitarist/Vocalist James Steele, SDSG VP Eddie Jason Coven, and Bandleader Will Faeber dedicated their evening to grading the finalists, giving the nod to Diane Waters who took home the top prize with a powerful performance, accompanied by Erik Ferentinos on guitar.

Second place went to the Baja Blues Boys and Third Place was taken by Vanity Affair.  All of the performances were deserving of the spotlight, proof positive that SDSG members are among the best at their craft in San Diego.

Special thanks go to our hard-working panels of judges and to our SDSG volunteers in the trenches: Annie Rettic, Richard and Susan Widney, and our MC and DJ for the listening session, SDSG Advisor Mark Charles Hattersley.

Please remember our sponsors (contact info is on page 19) without whom the event would have been far less stimulating. Finally, let’s not forget Country Inns & Suites and Humphrey’s Backstage for allowing us to host the Showcase in their fine establishments.

SDSG is pleased to announce that Diane Waters is the winner of the 2010 San Diego Songwriters Performing Songwriters Contest held recently at the Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge in Point Loma.  Her winnings include  the opportunity to perform at the infamous HOUSE of BLUES in San Diego.

2nd place went to the Baja Blues Boys and 3rd Place went to 3rd-Vanity Affair.