About the John Lennon Songwriting Contest www.jlsc.com The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is an internationally renowned songwriting contest providing opportunities for amateur and professional songwriters alike. Participants may enter as many songs as they like in any of 12 musical categories: Rock, Country, Jazz, Pop, World, Rhythm & Blues, Hip Hop, Gospel/Inspirational, Latin, Electronic, Folk, and Children’s. Entries are judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics; instrumental compositions are also encouraged. Neither performance nor production value will be considered during the adjudication process. The Contest runs year-round with two sessions, the first January through June, and the second through December. Three Finalists and one Grand Prize Winner for each category in each session are determined by a panel of judges, including stellar songwriters and performers as well as industry professionals. Those Grand Prize Winners then go head to head online, where the public votes on which songwriter in each category becomes eligible for the “Song of the Year.” That decision is made by an Executive Committee representing all musical genres, which includes such legendary talents as Bob Weir (Grateful Dead), Prince Royce, George Clinton, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Nick Hexum (311), American Authors and many more. The “Song of the Year” winner is announced to the public in July. This is the biggest JLSC prize package to date, totaling over $300,000 in cash and prizes!! There are a total of 72 Finalists, 24 Grand Prize Winners, 12 Lennon Award Winners and the “Song of the Year.” Winners, based on their level of achievement, will receive Studio Equipment from Avid, Roland and Boss, Audio-Technica, Gibson Guitars and Epiphone, 1,000 CDs in full color with premium 6-panel Digipaks courtesy of Disc Makers, Neutrik cables, and gift certificates from MusiciansFriend.com. The writer(s) of the “Song of the Year”, the highest honor bestowed in the contest, will receive a $20,000 check, Avid Prize Pack, a Mackie Mixer, a Pair of Mackie Studio Monitors, and a $250 Gift certificate, for each band member, to Digital Media Academy. In addition to the songwriting prizes, one band is selected annually to perform on the Warped Tour for one week and will receive Publicity, Radio Marketing and Strategic Consulting services courtesy of Music Allies, and Creative Allies design contests showcasing the winning band, so they can win licensing to exclusive: Posters, T-Shirts and Pocket-size Flyers. The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is made possible by and agreement with Yoko Ono Lennon and the generosity of Apple, Avid, Gibson Guitars and Epiphone, Creative Allies, Mackie, Ampeg, Musician’s Friend, Sonicbids, Ableton, Boss, Audio-Technica, Propellerhead, Digital Media Academy, Neutrik, Disc Makers and NAMM