Whether or not you like Avicii’s or Hardwell’s music, you simply cannot deny that they have a unique talent of writing hit music. And they do it consistently. So it makes sense that they and other talented musicians and writers would be chosen to sit on the judging panel for the 2015 edition of the International Songwriting Competition.
Among other legends like Tom Waits and Moby, successful musicians and industry representatives will judge incoming submissions for “melody, composition, originality, and lyrics (when applicable).”
Last year, Vance Joy won the grand prize for his song “Riptide,” which can now be heard on all major radio stations at least once a day, if not more. 
The ISC gives away more than $150,000 in cash and prizes (shared among 68 winners) including the overall Grand Prize. The competition is open to amateur and professional songwriters. All told, the ISC offers 22 categories representing all genres of popular music. More details can be found at www.songwritingcompetition.com.
The submission window closes December 31st of this year, so there’s still plenty of time left to enter.
Categories include: Pop/Top 40, Rock, AAA, Adult Contemporary (AC), Country, Americana, R&B/Hip-Hop, Blues, EDM (Electronic Dance Music), Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Jazz, World, Latin, Instrumental; Children’s Music; Gospel/Christian, Comedy/Novelty****; Lyrics Only, Music Video, Teen* Performance** and Unsigned Only***.
List of 2015 ISC judges:
Recording Artists
Kesha; Tom Waits; Bill Withers; American Authors; Lorde; Pat Metheny; Sara Evans; Bastille; Casting Crowns; Keb Mo; Avicii; Boyz II Men; Bill Withers; Keane; Hardwell; Robben Ford; Danilo Perez; Moby; Jon Secada; Daddy Yankee; Afro Celt Sound System; Anthony Hamilton; Gerald Casale (Devo); Sean Paul; Justin Townes Earle; Hawk Nelson; Jean-Luc Ponty; Shakey Graves; Darryl McDaniels (Run D.M.C.); Chayanne; Joy Williams; Matt Maher; Art Alexakis (Everclear); Far East Movement; Femi Kuti; and more to be announced.
Industry Executives:
Craig Kallman (Chairman/CEO, Atlantic Records); Sylvia Rhone (President, Epic Records); Dan McCarroll (President, Warner Bros. Records); Jeff Castelaz (President, Elektra Records); Nir Seroussi (President, Sony Music Latin); Daniel Glass (President, Glassnote Records); Ed Vetri (President, Wind-Up Records); Rosie Lopez (President, Tommy Boy Entertainment); Glen Barros (President, Concord Music Group); Bryan Stewart (VP of A&R, Curb Records); Jason McArthur (VP of A&R, Provident Label Group / Sony Music Entertainment); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Edward Chmelewski (President, Blind Pig Records); Sharon Tapper (Head of Publishing, Glassnote Records); Kevin Welk (Chief Creative, Vanguard/Sugar Hill Records); Angel Carrasco (President, Discos 605); Steve Lillywhite (Producer); Joseph Burney (VP of A&R, RCA Inspiration/Sony Music Entertainment); Richard Stumpf (CEO, Atlas Publishing); Steve Greenberg (CEO, S-Curve Records); Kim Buie (VP of A&R, New West Records); Albert Schilcher (VP of Music and Music Marketing, MTV International); Jamie Masada (Owner, Laugh Factory); Cyndi Nelson (General Mgr., Zanies Comedy Club); Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); Gary Briggs (A&R Executive); Claire S. Green (President, Parents’ Choice Foundation); Leib Ostrow (Founder/CEO, Music For Little People); Julie Kertes (General Manager, National Parenting Publications Awards, NAPPA); Nate Dern (News Editor, Funny Or Die News); Wende Curtis (Owner, Comedy Works); and more to be announced.
*All songwriters entering the Teen category must be 18 years old or younger by December 31, 2015. All genres of music are accepted in this category. Entering this category will not exclude you from entering other categories as well.
** The Performance category is judged not only on the songwriting but also on the overall delivery/performance of the song. All genres of music are accepted in this category.
***The Unsigned Only category is open to all genres of music. Entrants cannot be signed to a major label record company or have distribution through a major label or its affiliates. Entrant may not enter any song that is owned, wholly or partly, by a publishing company. Any song entered into the Unsigned Only category must also be entered into at least one other category. See below (#8) for more detailed information.
**** Parodies and stand-up routines are also allowed in the Comedy category in addition to comedy songs.
Source | H/T Billboard | Image Source
