Winners in 19 categories were named this month from among more than 15,000 entries in the 2007 International Songwriting Competition (ISC).  For the first time in its history, a majority of winners – including all three in the Americana category, two of three in the folk/singer-songwriter category, and one of three in the AAA category – came from outside the U.S. 

Amateur and professional songwriters from some 100 countries submitted entries that were judged on the basis of creativity, originality, lyrics, melody and composition, without consideration for production value.  Judges included music industry executives and notable recording artists and songwriters like Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls and Chris Hillman (best known for his work with The Byrds).

First Place winners included Jen Foster of Nashville, Tennessee for “Closer to Nowhere” (AAA); Ben Kyle (Romantica) of Belfast, Northern Ireland for “The National Side” (Americana); and Wally De Backer (Gotye) of Australia for “Hearts A Mess” (Folk/Singer-Songwriter).  Also of note: Concerts In Your Home founder Fran Snyder  and John Paul Williams of Lawrence, Kansas captured first place in the Children’s Music category for “If I Had a Giraffe.”  Along with the other 15 first prize winners and grand-prize winners Eduard Glumov of Kzakhstan and Z. Mulls of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, they will share some $150,000 in cash and prizes.  In addition, their winning songs will be included on an ISC compilation CD that is distributed to music industry professionals and media.

A complete list of ISC 2007 winners — first, second and third place — in all 19 categories may be viewed at  www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.htm.  There, you also can click on the song titles to hear the winning songs.  Honorable mentions are also listed for each category. 

ISC is now accepting entries for its 2008 competition.  Rules and information appear on its website.