Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Jamber Records) - Jamber Records and Sharp Objects are pleased to introduce the winners of the
Amber RhodesSongwriting Contest, a national radio promotion/contest designed and held to encourage songwriters (from novice to accomplished) from around the country to submit their material as a contender to win a writing session in
Music City with Jamber recording artist
Amber Rhodes.
Nearly 300 songs were submitted and more than 3,300 fans cast their online vote for their favorite demo.
Grand Prize Winner: "Taken Man" by Jo Clark of Franklin, TN
(written with Steven Strobel)
I'm a taken man
Take her to a movie, every Tuesday
Take the kids to school; I take out the trash when I'm back
I'm a taken man
I take a stand when it's my family
Every day I take a long look at my hand
Cuz one thing I ain't takin' is a chance
I'm a taken man
2nd Place Winner: "No Goodbyes" by Susan Bauer of Westchester, OH (written with Stephany Mastin & Jenn Harris)
I'd walk through fire with open eyes
I'd crawl through the pouring rain
To hold you close, feel your skin
One more chance to start again
3rd Place Winnter: "Dreams" by Brandon Silveira of Hanford, CA (written with Prentiss Varnon)
Dreams, dreams
What else could I've done
I've been a mother and a lover
And all you've dreamed of
Dreams, dreams
I've been there for you
Having my life on hold to watch your dreams come true
And now that the children are grown
I'm chasing dreams of my own
The radio stations that hosted the Amber Rhodes Songwriting Contest were: WCJW/Warsaw, NY, KAUS/Austin, MN, WLOC/Horse Cave, KY, WKSR/Pulaski, TN, KTJJ/Farmington, MO, KRAZ/Santa Barbara, CA, KSNI/Santa Maria, CA, KKJG/San Luis Obispo, CA, and KJUG/Visalia, CA.
Songs were judged based on the initial 15-second allure, lyrical content and musical composition. The radio stations submitted their finalists and the contending songs were posted on Amber's web page (www.amberrhodes.com) where the public elected their favorite as a winner.
In addition to a signed Epiphone guitar, Grand Prize Winner, Jo Clark, has won a co-writing session with recording artist Amber Rhodes in Nashville, a single-song publishing deal with Sharp Objects, and a professional Nashville demo. She will take her initial meeting with Amber on Friday, July 18.
Ms. Clark began her musical career as a member of a barbershop trio. Jo was twice selected in 2002 and 2003 to attend Barbara Cloyd's Play for Publishers workshops where she developed relationships with new publishers and other co-writers. Most recently, Jo worked with the Nashville New Music Seminar to organize and promote the Triple Threat Showcase; she was among the seven women featured in the showcase. Jo can be seen from time to time performing at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
The 1st runner-up will receive an Amber Rhodes autographed Epiphone Guitar and 8X10 photo along with a framed award certificate. All finalists will receive a certificate of participation and an autographed 8X10 photo.
Rhodes herself is a published songwriter (Sharp Objects, Nashville/ASCAP). She released her debut CD (GOODBYE YESTERDAY) in 2007 and was named 'Who New to Watch' in 2008 (CMA Close-Up Magazine). The songstress wrote or co-wrote the ten songs contained on the CD. She was a finalist in 'American Idol' - Songwriter and will grace the pages of CMA Close-up Magazine once again in the 'Artist Debut Spotlight' this fall.
Sharp Objects represents Britton Cameron, Michael Peterson, Amber Rhodes, Joshua Rush, Randy Sharp, and Maia Sharp, among others.
For more information on Amber Rhodes and the top contenders of the Amber Rhodes Songwriting Contest visit www.amberrhodes.com /or/ www.MySpace.com/AmberRhodesMusic.
