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Irish Artists Recognised In US-Based Unsigned Only Music Competition

September 13, 2012

The Unsigned Only Music Competition has just announced its 2012 inaugural winners. Nearly 7,500 songs were submitted and of those, three Irish based artists have received Honorable Mentions in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter category.

Belfast songwriter Ben Glover, Wexford-based Paul Creane and the Changing Band and Armagh songwriter, Tony Villiers, all received Honorable Mentions in the category which attracts worldwide entries.

Launched only a year ago and judged by a roster of celebrity notables such as Cyndi Lauper, 3 Doors Down, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Rogers, St. Vincent, and many more, Unsigned Only is a unique music competition designed for solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major label. It has quickly established itself as the international music competition for unsigned artists. In addition to the high-profile artists, the roster of judges also included record label presidents as well as other industry leaders, offering songwriters the unprecedented opportunity to have their music heard by influential decision-makers.

For a complete list of Unsigned Only winners and to hear the winning songs, go to http://www.unsignedonly.com/winners

Irish-Based Honorable Mentions

Ben Glover – Belfast, Ireland – “Memo”- Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Paul Creane & The Changing Band – Wexford, Ireland – “All For You Baby”- Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Tony Villiers – Armagh, Northern Ireland – “Radio”- Folk/Singer-Songwriter

2012 Judges include: 3 Doors Down; Kelly Clarkson; Robert Smith (The Cure); Kenny Rogers; Jeremy Camp; Musiq Soulchild; St. Vincent; Manchester Orchestra; Angie Stone; G. Love; Craig Morgan; Aaron Shust; Charlie Daniels; Steve Lillywhite (Producer); Matt and Kim; Cyndi Lauper; The Mountain Goats; Josh Jackson (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine) and Scott Lapatine (Founder/Editor-In-Chief, Stereogum.

2012 Mentors include: Monte Lipman (President of Universal Republic); Pete Ganbarg (Executive VP/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); David Wolter (Senior VP of A&R, RCA Records); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R/Capitol Music Group); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, J Records); David Wilkes (VP of A&R, eOne Music); Pete Giberga (Head of A&R, Razor & Tie Records); and Jason Geter (President, Grand Hustle Records).

Sponsors include: Posse, Steamboat Ampworks, Verve Management, Music Business Registry, Mrs. Fields Cookies, and Spider Capo

Unsigned is now accepting entries for 2013. Many new judges will be added, as well as a new Teen category for artists 18 years old and younger. Information on how to enter can be found at www.unsignedonly.com.

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