The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is under way, taking submissions in 12 musical categories in two sessions each year. The Grand Prize Winners of the Rock, Country, Jazz, Pop, World, Rhythm & Blues, Hip Hop,
Gospel/Inspirational, Latin, Electronic, Folk, and Children’s categories are then eligible to win the Maxell Song of the Year, which garners an additional $20,000 cash prize, courtesy of the Maxell Corporation. The 12 Lennon Award Winners will each receive $5,000 advances from EMI Music Publishing and 1000 custom CDs of your music, printed in full color 6 panel digipaks courtesy of Disc Makers worth $1990. The 24 Grand Prize Winners each receive $5,000 in Project Studio Equipment from iGuitar, Roland/Edirol and Audio-Technica and $500 Gift Certificates from MusiciansFriend.com. 1 band will be chosen to tour for one week on Warped Tour '07.
The internationally renowned Contest is open to both amateur and professional songwriters, lyricists and bands. The submitted songs are judged on the basis of originality, melody, composition, and lyrics, although instrumental compositions are encouraged. Neither performance nor production value are considered. The judges for the 2006 sessions include: John Legend, Lyfe Jennings, The Veronicas, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas and Robin Gibb.
The 2006 Maxell Song of the Year winner will be announced in July, 2007.
