Press Releases
MAY 11th, 2012: Sylvie Simhon Wins Grand Prize for the West Coast Songwriters International Song Competition
San Carlos, CA: West Coast Songwriters is proud to announce the winning entries for the 2012 International Song Competition. Grand Prize goes to Sylvie Simhon of Los Angeles, CA for her POP Category song: “I Don’t Love You Too” with a close runner up for Mark Keller of Sausalito, CA with his AMERICANA Category “The Devil Wants Another Dance”.
Grand Prize Winner, Sylvie Simhon, will receive a Voyager-Air Package with Voyager-Air VAD 04 Songwriter Series Acoustic Guitar and Hard Case (value over $700).The Dreadnought guitar is a legend among pro guitarists worldwide: “There’s an unmistakable punch and clarity from its full- size body”. Additionally, the Sylvie will receive an all-inclusive pass to the 32nd Annual West Coast Songwriters Music Conference held September 8th-10th at Foothill College, Los Altos Hills, CA (valued at $245) and the opportunity to perform her winning song at the Sunset Concert in front of more than fifty industry guests looking for new talent and songs.
The competition was judged by an Executive Committee comprised of noted singer/songwriters and industry leaders. Past judges and Conference guests include Hit Songwriters and producers Narada Michael Walden, Steve Seskin, Andre Pessis, George Merrill and Bonnie Hayes, amongst others.
According to Ian Crombie, Executive Director of West Coast Songwriters, “It was a difficult choice this year as we received so many incredible songs from around the world. Our industry guests and highly regarded singer/songwriters spent time reviewing each song for their melody, composition, and lyrics.”
Other Category Winners received an ADK Condensor microphone and include:
ROCK Category: Tom Barrett, Daniel Liden and Tommy Liden "Coming Home To Say Goodbye", Farnham, UK.
COUNTRY Category: Chris Donohoe "All Too Human" San Francisco, CA SINGER/SONGWRITER Category: Chi McClean "Hole In My Heart" San Francisco CA
BLUES Category: Declan O'Donovan "Cheap Souvenir" Yukon, Canada
FOLK Category: Larry Potts "Captains of the Dream" Petaluma CA
CHILDRENS Category: Art and Amanda Sirota "You Need To Go Live At The Zoo" Redwood City CA
GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL Category: Stephen B Steward "Jesus Reign" Altadena CA
MISCELLANEOUS Category: Thu Tran "The Art Of Missing You" Los Angeles CA
INSTRUMENTAL Category: Eduardo de la Eglesia "From Despair To Glory" Madrid Spain
Congrats to all our category winners and to all those who entered the competition. Be sure to hear their songs and meet them at the conference in September.
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With over twenty monthly events, West Coast Songwriters is one of the most active music organizations in the country serving to enhance aspiring writers and performers with creative and career development by music industry professional. Chapters of WCS include: Sebastopol, Martinez, Petaluma, Berkeley, Stockton, Mill Valley, San Francisco, Portland, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Hayward, Palo Alto and spreading. Ian Crombie, Executive Director of WCS stated: “Seven years ago, Sara Bareilles sent in two songs for our International Song Contest. She performed at the Sunset Concert and won first place for her song Gravity. She has been honored at the ASCAP Pop Awards, performed on the Jay Leno Show and received two Grammy Nominations for 2009.”
West Coast Songwriters can be found online at www.westcoastsongwriters.org Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Coast-Songwriters, and Twitter (WCSong). Further details of the competition may be found at .www.westcoastsongwriters.org/contest.htm.
Ali Williams
Publicity and Promotions Director West Coast Songwriters 650-387-7048 ali@westcoastsongwriters.org
NOVEMBER 18th, 2011: Youth Social Network Rocket21 and West Coast Songwriters Launch Songwriting Contest with Anti-Bullying and Dream Themes for Students who Love Music or Writing
Rocket21™ (the new social network where kids explore amazing possibilities for their lives and futures) and West Coast Songwriters (the most active non-profit music organization in the U.S., offering education, opportunity and networking to songwriters) announced the start of a new contest on Rocket21.com to encourage self-expression and creativity among youth by encouraging them to write lyrics about anti-bullying, their dreams for the future, their lives growing up in the 21st century, and more.
Rocket21™ (the new social network where kids explore amazing possibilities for their lives and futures) and West Coast Songwriters (the most active non-profit music organization in the U.S., offering education, opportunity and networking to songwriters) announced the start of a new songwriting contest on Rocket21.com to encourage self-expression and creativity among youth by encouraging them to write lyrics about anti-bullying, their dreams for the future, their lives growing up in the 21st century, and more.
"Dream in Tune" is the latest wave in Rocket21’s "Dream Here -- Dream Big” Contest Series. One passionate student songwriter – or songwriting team - will win an unforgettable evening as the guest of a GRAMMY member at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2012.
“Rocket21 is about supporting all kids’ dreams, every single day. And we are also connecting with inventive partners who can help us design once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to inspire our members’ imaginations and extend their passions. Our "Dream in Tune" contest is one of those opportunities. The winner will remember this experience fifty years from now,” said Rocket21 President and COO Jodell Seagrave. “Our partnership with West Coast Songwriters brings direct access to world-class songwriters, artists, and music industry experts to all our members, and this promotion is an exciting enhancement.”
Hundreds of experts, called R21 PROs, from hundreds of fields have been invited to interact with kids. They include explorers, artists, ecologists, business executives, entertainers, scientists, engineers, nurses, doctors, educators, and more – people who do some of the amazing things kids dream of doing.
“West Coast Songwriters has helped to launch and nurture the careers of countless songwriters and artists, including Sara Bareilles, by facilitating connections and collaboration,” said Ian Crombie, Executive Director, West Coast Songwriters. “WCS is a natural partner for Rocket21 – our industry partners and dedicated members are excited to help kids share and refine their personal expression through songwriting as well as nurture their love for music.”
From now through December 19th, Rocket21 student members are invited to submit song lyrics around their choice of themes – and can enter the contest as individual songwriters or by forming a songwriting team with a friend. Students will receive feedback about their writing – and encouragement and inspiration from successful young artists and industry PROs. One student songwriter or a two-person songwriting team plus parents will be the guest of a GRAMMY member at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2012. Deadlines vary by category with deadline for final entries on December 19th. Click here for complete contest details.
West Coast Songwriters is looking forward to working with Rocket21. WCS has a long history of involvement with youth and student projects”, said Mark LeMon, President, West Coast Songwriters. We’re committed to helping upcoming generations connect with their passions – and especially when kids’ dreams involve music.”
Board representatives and members from West Coast Songwriters, along with invited music industry executives, will serve as judges with the Rocket21 team. Grand Prize Winner will be announced on January 16th, 2012.
About Rocket21
Rocket21 provides unprecedented access to world-class experts and organizations while protecting them with a combination of state-of-the-art, real-time filtering and human moderation, extensive safety and security precautions, and a specialized infrastructure designed to keep kids safe.
Like Rocket21 on Facebook and Follow @Rocket21 on Twitter. For more information about Rocket21, please contact Media Relations at media@rocket21.com.
About West Coast Songwriters
West Coast Songwriters is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization.
Founded in 1979, WCS has grown into one of the most active music associations in the USA, offering more than 25 events per month. Whether the goal is personal expression or to make a living in the music industry, knowing how to write or recognize a well crafted song is the key to success. At WCS, members establish important relationships, both professionally and personally, that enhance and accelerate their development. Music ceases to be a solitary pursuit and becomes a shared endeavor through the focus, feedback, collaboration, contacts/networking and support that WCS provides.
For more information, please contact Ian Crombie at ian(at)westcoastsongwriters(dot)org.
Michael Zapruder, PANDORA “Where the Music Industry is Heading”
San Carlos, CA: West Coast Songwriters has announced today, that Michael Zapruder, Innovation and Special Projects Leader for Pandora, will join an extraordinary panel discussion Where the Industry is Heading with several trailblazers in the industry, Saturday Sept 10th, at the 31st Annual West Coast Songwriters Music Conference; Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road Los Altos Hills, CA. Register at www.westcoastsongwriters.org or 650-654-3966.
With over 75 years combined in the music industry, this panel discussion will look at the ever changing landscape of the business and talk about the future of the industry. Joining Michael Zapruder will be industry leaders - Larry Batiste,Musical Director for the Grammy Pre-Telecast at The Recording Academy (Grammy Awards); Andre Pessiswhose catalog includes over 90 songs recorded by different artists and over 20 million records pressed, including sixteen hit songs. Kelli Richards(CEO & President of The All Access Group), a pioneer in the digital music and media arena, Jeff HeimanPresident, Pacific Northwest Chapter at The Recording Academy (NARAS) & partner in JH Music & Business Development and Judy Stakee, who was responsible for developing and managing the broad roster of new artists and legendary stars for 20 years at Warner Chappell Music as VP of Creative.
Other interesting seminars, workshops and panels include: Working Nashville; A Day in the Life of a Demo and The Path of an Artist. Glen Phillips will be interviewed after very recently headlining the Mountain Winery with his band Toad The Wet Sprocket, Sue Ennis will share her songwriting secrets while Heart, the band she wrote hits for, headlines at Shoreline, Pamela Phillips Oland will present "Musicals" while her work, Soldier of Orange is selling out in Europe. In total, more than 50 music industry leaders will be on hand to provide the rare opportunity of one-on-one consultations, networking opportunities and offer small workshops and seminars. And unlike other conferences, WCS guarantees two songs screened per day by industry leaders.
Full program and information may be found at www.westcoastsongwriters.org/the-program. The 31st Annual West Coast Songwriters Conference is brought to you by West Coast Songwriters, and sponsored by ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, Music Registry, Music Connection, Quizno’s, Whole Foods, Starbuck’s Los Altos Rancho, Pasta? and Hobee’s.
New Panel for 2009 Music Conference
SAN CARLOS, CA. West Coast Songwriters proudly announces, new for 2009, A Band Performance Showcase at the 29th Annual West Coast Songwriters Music Conference, held September 12th & 13th at Foothill College, Los Altos CA. Two days of seminars, song screenings, performance showcases, lyric review, one-one consultations, performances, networking and a Sunset Concert on Saturday are also included. The event runs both Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm. Registration is available at www.westcoastsongwriters.org or 650-654-3966.
Over 40 music industry leaders will be on hand to work closely with singer/songwriters; bands and those interested in the business side of the music industry. For two days these musicians are provided the rare opportunity to have one-on-one consultations, networking opportunities, songwriting seminars, legal workshops and the opportunity to perform in front of a number of highly influential music industry leaders, looking to sign new bands, songwriters or lyricists.
The New Band Performance Showcase will provide groups with the opportunity to receive constructive feedback regarding their style, lyrics, stage presence and sound quality. There will be a number of industry leaders available to critique the bands including Michael Morris from The Rosebud Agency and Marcus D, from Radio Alice.
According to Ian Crombie, Executive Director of West Coast Songwriters, “this is a fantastic new component to an already wonderful experience for musicians. As bands form, they often do not have the opportunity to receive support and constructive advice from industry leaders. Here at WCS we strive to provide a strong foundation in which all levels of musicians are able to improve their technique”
This year, WCS is proud to include the following talented and influential members of the music industry at our 29th Annual Conference: BOB CUTARELLA who won two Grammy’s in 2005 and remains an important force in the recording industry. SCOTT MATHEWS, producer, arranger, and songwriter JIM PHOTOGLO, with at least five recordings in the Top Ten of Billboard Magazine’s Country Music Charts. MARCUS BARONE former Executive in Charge of Music for Orion Pictures and former Director of Music/Music Supervisor for Motion Picture Corp of America (Columbia -Tristar). JASON BRAWNER an independent L.A. based producer; GREG GORDON: CEO/Executive Director and founder of Pyramind and the President of Epiphyte Records; Performance Coach to the Stars, Steven Memel and JAMES LEACH, Director, Writer/Publisher Relations for SESAC, Inc, the nation’s fastest growing performing rights organization.
Music Industry Luminaries to visit Foothill College September 2008
Los Altos, CA: Hit Songwriter and touring artists Gretchen Peters and Steve McClintock are just some of the many music luminaries attending the West Coast Songwriters Association 28th Annual “Up Close and Personal” Music Conference at Foothill College September 12-14th. This one-of- a-kind program is open to anyone interested in a career in the music industry; from aspiring songwriters to those wishing to work in the industry. Registration is available at: www.westcoastsongwriters.org.
The West Coast Songwriters Association (WCSA) two day event provides the rare opportunity for personal one-on-one consultations and networking opportunities with industry leaders and musicians including Derek Sivers of CDbaby and Hostbaby; Jenny Gill, host of Teen Country syndicated radio and Elliot Cahn, personal manager and attorney for Green Day and Papa Roach. Additionally, the conference provides the opportunity to share and enjoy song screenings, performances, lyric reviews, performance-showcases and a beautiful sunset concert.
With over fifteen monthly events, the West Coast Songwriters Association is one of the most active music organizations in the country serving to enhance aspiring writers and performers with creative and career development by music industry professionals. Ian Crombie, Executive Director of WCSA stated: “Four years ago Sara Bareilles sent in two songs for our International Song Contest. She performed at the Sunset Concert and won first place for her song Gravity. She was honored at the ASCAP Pop Awards and currently has a smash hit Love Song”.
The 28th Annual Up Close and Personal Conference is brought to you by West Coast Songwriters Association and sponsored by ASCAP, BMI, Sesac, Hobee’s and Whole Foods. Tickets are available on line at www.westcoastsongwriters.org or call 1-800-654-3966 for further information.
Gretchen Peters: Singer-songwriter in the folk/country genre, she received the Song Of The Year Award from Country Music Association for the groundbreaking Independence Day. Her latest album, Burnt Toast And Offerings was released in 2007 and appeared on numerous year-end "best of" lists, including AllMusic.com and Editor's Year-End Top Ten. In a review of her 2000 eponymous album, the Associated Press states, “This is not jukebox music - the stuff that exists to fill in the pauses in conversation. This IS the conversation”. People Magazine says, “If Peters never delivers another tune as achingly beautiful as "On a Bus to St. Cloud"... she has already earned herself a spot among country’s upper echelon of contemporary composers."
Steve McClintock: Being a treasured staff writer for Island Music/Polygram Music, The Welk Music Group, George Tobin Music, Sony ATV Music, Ash Street Music and McJames Music has helped nurture Steven’s talent for writing and co-writing chart busting songs. He writes about subjects close to his heart and writes prolifically in all genres of music. With more than 150 recorded songs to his credit, he has been honored with a BMI SONGWRITER AWARD for his hit composition, All This Time, recorded by Tiffany which hit #6 on the Billboard HOT 100, and went double platinum on Tiffany’s sophomore CD Hold An Old Friend’s Hand.
