19 UK SONGWRITERS HONORED IN US-BASED 2014 INTERNATIONAL SONG WRITING COMPETITION (ISC)

Daniel Duke, Sam Eliot Win First and Third Place In Folk/Singer/Songwriter Category

May 1, 2015 – The U.S.-based International Songwriting Competition (ISC), widely known as the most revered songwriting competition in the world, announced its 2014 winners today. With over 18,000 entries submitted from 118 countries, a total of 19 UK artists are honored in the competition, garnering one First Place win, one Third Place win, and 17 Honorable Mentions.

The overall Grand Prize is awarded to Australian singer/songwriter Vance Joy for his song “Riptide”. This marks the first time in the 14-year history of the competition that any song has received perfect scores from every judge. Upon hearing the news of his win, Joy said, “It is such an honor to win this songwriting prize. Writing songs is what gives me a feeling of purpose. I’m proud to receive this award voted on by my songwriting peers.” The song is being called an instant classic by both critics and fans alike, not only in the USA but also across the world. Joy’s career is clearly on the rise, with sold-out tours, worldwide chart success, and critical acclaim.

This year’s winners were selected by a panel of judges which includes, among others, American Authors, Pat Metheny, Sarah McLachlan, Bastille, Avicii, Sara Evans, Keane, Casting Crowns, Darryl McDaniels (Run D.M.C), Newsboys, Wayne Shorter, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, London Grammar, Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), Gerald Casale (Devo), Dan McCarroll (President, Warner Bros. Records), Craig Kallman (Chairman, CEO, Atlantic Records), Mike Smith (President, Virgin EMI Records), Jeff Castelaz (President, Elektra Records), Ted Cockle (President, Virgin Records UK), and many more.

ISC encourages songwriters to create, develop, and challenge their artistry by creating something truly meaningful,” says Candace Avery, Founder and Director. “It is vital for all artists to be recognized for their talents, as well as to be awarded respect and honor for their accomplishments. Our UK winners this year embody what ISC stands for and deserve to be recognized.”

Created in 2002, ISC awards more than $150,000 in cash and prizes to winners of the competition. Winners range from amateur songwriters who are just starting their careers to professional songwriters who have years worth of experience. The Grand Prize winner is awarded $25,000 in cash, in addition to more than $45,000 in merchandise and services. Previous ISC winners include Bastille, Passenger, Kate Miller-Heidke, Lindsey Stirling, Gotye, The Band Perry, Kasey Chambers, Gin Wigmore, King Charles, Kimbra, Gregory Porter, Omar Sosa, For King & Country, and many more.

The 2015 International Songwriting Competition is now accepting entries, and more information can be found at:http://www.songwritingcompetition.com.
For a complete list of 2014 ISC Winners and to hear the winning songs, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.
For high-res photos, please contact Candace Avery at cavery@songwritingcompetition.com

UK Winners:

First Place Winner

Daniel Duke – Banbridge, Northern Ireland
” Borderline” – Folk/Singer-Songwriter

Daniel Duke writes hand-clapping, foot-stomping, soul-bearing, folk music. Daniel appeared in the blind audition stages of The Voice UK 2015, and his original take on The Proclaimers song “I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)” won him three chair turns and a place on Tom Jones’ team. With over a million views on YouTube, his blind audition has proved to be one of 2015’s most popular so far and it’s clear that people connect with the emotion in Daniel’s performance and the originality of his sound. Although he did not go on to win the competition, the exposure he received was a boost to his career. Duke’s singing and songwriting have been compared to the likes of Jeff Buckley, Brett Dennen, Conor Oberst and Marcus Mumford. Daniel honed his skills busking on the streets of Belfast, and it shows in the sheer power of his voice and, what Folkroom Records describes as the “catchy, Fleetwood Mac-does-folk-sing-a-long-anthems” sound of his songs. Other achievements include BBC radio airplay and a support slot with US band, The Bittersweets.
Third Place Winner

Sam Eliot – London, England
“Night And Day” – Folk/Singer-Songwriter

Sam Eliot is a new, but exceptionally talented, young singer/songwriter based in London, England. At age 14 he began playing the drums and slowly started playing the guitar and singing. After doing numerous Blink 182 and green Day covers, he stumbled upon Bob Dylan’s songs that got him into writing his own songs, and since then he has written over 100 tunes. Other than Dylan his musical influences are, John Lennon, Cat Stevens, John Denver, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, John Taylor and many more.
Honorable Mentions

“Animals” – Helen Areny (London, England) – Comedy/Novelty
“Brothers In Arms” – Maeve O’Boyle (Glasgow, Scotland) – Performance
“Don’t Let Your Love Lay Down” – Gareth Lewis (Swansea, Wales) – Americana
“Dry Bones” – Speak, Brother (Coventry, England) – Folk/Singer-Songwriter
“Fire” – Sam Eliot (London, England) – Adult Contemporary (AC)
“Giving Up The Band” – Richard Ecclestone (Bury St Edmunds, England) – Unsigned Only
“Home Tonight” – Jake Hallam (Derby, England) – Folk/Singer-Songwriter
“I Won’t Walk Away” – Sam Eliot (London, England) ¬- Folk/Singer-Songwriter
“Luna Park” – David Barr (Dunfermline, Scotland) – Adult Album Alternative (AAA)
“More Than Me” – Stefanie Lawrence, Andrew Black (Glasgow, Scotland) – Pop/Top 40
“Pirates” – The Odd Socks (Bristol, England) – Children’s Music
“Rock-A-Bye” – Ray Clayton (London, England) – R&B/Hip-Hop
“Skin And Bones” – Gibson Bull, Adam Morley (London, England) – Folk/Singer-Songwriter
“There’s a Place” – Paul Murphy (Belfast, Northern Ireland) – Gospel/Christian
“To Be Alive” – Richard Thomas (London, England) – Rock
“Universal” – Mon Frere (Brighton, England) – Dance/Electronica
“Vertigo” – The Luck, Lancaster, Manoukian (London, England) – Adult Contemporary (AC)

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