A grand prize winner and winners in 21 categories have been selected from among nearly 15,000 entries in the 2009 International Songwriting Competition. Aspiring and established 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. A total of $150,000 in cash and prizes is being awarded.

Among the winners are:

Grand Prize: King Charles of London, England for “Love Lust,” a rock song.

AAA – First Place: Adrianne Gonzalez, Gabriel Mann, Kyler England and Rob Giles (The Rescuers) of Los Angeles, CA for “Cut Loose the Horses;” Second Place: Andrew Belle of Nashville, TN for “The Ladder;” and Third Place: Eden Mulholland (Motocade) of Auckland, New Zealand for “Oldest Trick in the Book.”

Americana – First Place: Kieran Kane of Nashville, TN for “Unfaithful Heart;” Second Place: Jill Andrews of Knoxville, TN for “These Woods;” and Third Place: Chad Elliott of Coon Rapids, IA for “Same Old Way.”

Blues – First Place: Suzie Vinnick and Dan Kershaw of Toronto, Canada for “Sometimes I Think I Can Fly;” Second Place: Jason Ferguson of Omaha, NE for “Time is Now;” and Third Place: Darren Watson of Wellington, New Zealand for “Can’t Get Enough of You.”

Folk-Singer-Songwriter – First Place: Sarah Blasko of Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia for “Bird on a Wire;” Second Place: Nicola Watson of Hotham, VIC, Australia for “Windmills;” and Third Place: Keith Fonde of Limerick, Ireland for “Pop Them Pills.”

Lyrics Only – First Place: Jen Foster of Houston, Texas for “Second Hand Love;” Second Place: Kyler England of Los Angeles, CA for “You and I;” and Third Place: Cal McKellar of Killcare, NSW, Australia for “Where I’m Calling From.”

A complete list of first, second and third place winners in all 21 categories may be viewed online at www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.htm, Honorable mentions are also listed for each category.