Mike Pinder's Songwars Songwriting Competition 2010

Now in its second year, Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues started Songwars to nurture emerging songwriters with the help of the pros. The competition prides itself on its careful and thoughtful evaluation and consideration; in some cases songs are listened to more than 20 times and Mike is involved at every step along the way. Over $30,000 worth of cash & prizes is being offered as part of the 2010 Songwars Competition.
Grand Pinder Award: Four days of studio recording in a state of the art recording studio with engineer and production by Mike Pinder, airfare/hotel stay included, $1000, 1000 CD’s and Artwork from DISC NOW, Boulder Creek Acoustic Guitar and MORE./n/nOver $30,000 worth of cash & prizes is being offered as part of the 2010 Songwars Competition! Now in its second year, Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues started Songwars to nurture emerging songwriters with the help of the pros. The competition prides itself on its careful and thoughtful evaluation and consideration – in some cases songs are listened to more than 20 times during the judging process – and Mike is involved at every step along the way. In 2009, 1 out of every 6 submitted songs received its critique from Mike himself. Click here to read Sonicbids' interview with Mike Pinder in the Sonicbids Lounge.

Please note: The submission fee will increase to $35 on August 6, 2010.

This year you’ll have the option of submitting to receive a thoughtful written critique from one of Mike’s panel of accomplished judges or to make a reduced-fee non-critiqued submission. Either way, your song is well-studied and will be considered as a candidate to be one of the Category and Grand Prize winners.

2 songs (Winners and Runners-Up) will be selected in each of 6 categories:

• Rock


• Pop


• Folk/Acoustic


• Country


• Indie/Alternative


• Open/Other

GRAND PINDER AWARD (1 recipient)

• Four days of studio recording in a state of the art recording studio valued at over $30,000. Recording package includes the studio engineer and recording sessions produced by Mike Pinder. Airfare and Hotel stay included. Value on this package dependent on airfare.
  
  
  
  • $1000 Spending Cash.
  
  
  • DISC NOW Manufacturing Coupon for 1000 CD’s and Artwork.
  
  
  • Boulder Creek Acoustic Guitar & Case.
  
  
  • Boss BR 600 Digital Recording Studio valued at $400.
  
  
  • Dunlop Cry Baby Wah Wah Guitar Pedal.
  
  
  • Earthworks Microphone.
  
  
  • Boulder Creek guitar tuner.
  
  
  • Link and bio on the Songwars website.
  
  
  • Songwars Certificate of Achievement signed by Mike Pinder.
  
  
  

  SONGWARS ANNUAL CATEGORY WINNERS (6 recipients)
  

  
  
  • Boss BR 600 Digital Recording Studio.
    
  • Case of Dunlop Guitar strings.
    
  • DISC NOW Manufacturing Coupon.
    
  • Boulder Creek Guitar Tuner and Picks.
    
  • Link and bio on the Songwars website.
    
  • Songwars Certificate of Achievement signed by Mike Pinder.
  
  
  

  SONGWARS ANNUAL CATEGORY RUNNERS UP (6 recipients)
  

  
  
  • Case of Dunlop Guitar Strings.
  
  
  • Songwars Certificate of Achievement signed by Mike Pinder.
  
  
  

  CERTIFICATES (unlimited recipients): Although your song may not place, it may receive a Finalist, Semi-Finalist, or Honorable Mention Award Certificate. Often, songs that earn these certificates were in the final stages of competition and deserve high praise.
  
  

  Prizes will be awarded annually, and winners will be announced in December 2010.
  
  

  ABOUT MIKE PINDER
  
  Mike Pinder was the founding member of The Moody Blues ("Go Now, Nights in White Satin, and Tuesday Afternoon") in the early 1960's. As a Singer/Songwriter Mike wrote many of the Moody Blues songs and won the Ivor Novello award for Social Content for his song "Simple Game." Mike has always supported new artists and has three musician sons, two of whom are also singer songwriters. Mike's vision and passion have resulted in the formation of Songwars.
  
  
  
  SONGWARS STATEMENT OF ARTISTIC COMMITMENT
  
  Songwars has a strong sense of artistic responsibility to support the development of music from one generation to the next. There is a desire to help new talent refine their art and be validated through that process.
  
  
  
  JUDGES
  
  Judges include legendary musicians, including: Mike Pinder, Denny Laine, Narada Michael Walden, Brett Tuggle, Stef Burns, W.G. Snuffy Walden, Pat Caddick, The Matches, Jerry Corbetta, Roger Smith, Peppino D’Agostino, Tim Gorman, Marco D’Ambrosio, David Kent, Tony Clarke, Stevie Roseman, John Hernandez, Alan Koshiyama, John Edwards, David Zychek, Dennis Tenney, Ed Ulibarri, David Prater, Duane Sigel, Ian Ulibarri, Spencer Nilsen, Michael Eardley, Stephen Hart, Ed Ryan, Dave Jenkins, Harvey Mandel, Dylan Rowe, Don Bassey, Eric Chun, John Rowe and Shiloh Hobel.