Rocket21 “Dream Here - Dream Big - Dream in Tune” Songwriting Contest

 

Contest Judges

 

1.   Ian Crombie is an accomplished Singer Songwriter and Executive Director of West Coast Songwriters, one of the most active songwriter associations in the United States.  Ian has served a number of years on the Board of the Recording Academy and is part of the Grammy Education Committee.  He has taught songwriting from elementary to college level, helping students to collect their ideas and turn them into meaningful songs.  Ian’s original songs have been featured in TV and Film, including Touched by an Angel, Access Hollywood, General Hospital, and more.  Ian produced and licensed music for the Oscar winning film “As Good as it Gets”.  In his role at West Coast Songwriters, Ian has helped to launch the careers of dozens of singer songwriters and has been named as one of music’s “Top 50 Innovators, Iconoclasts, Groundbreakers, and Guiding Lights” by Music Connection Magazine.

 

2.   Enrique Gonzalez Muller is a Grammy Award winning Music Producer, Engineer and Arranger who was born in Venezuela and graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Enrique has worked with artists from all over the world including Nine Inch Nails, Dave Matthews Band, Kronos Quartet, Joan Baez, Tina Turner, The Doobie Brothers, Taj Mahal, and so many more. Aside from his production work Enrique currently shares and teaches his experiences with students through organizations like West Coast Songwriters, Grammy U and Berklee College of Music. www.siameseschool.com

 

3.   Marcus Barone is a Motion Picture Music Executive, Supervisor, Composer, Publisher, and Studio Musician. Marcus was Executive In Charge of Music for Motion Picture Corporation of America/Columbia TriStar and Orion Pictures for over 12 years. His new Company FILM MUSIC GROUP / FIP in Los Angeles is a motion picture music supervision, soundtrack, and investment company with clients such as Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures, MGM Pictures, Comedy Central, A&E, ABC, and MTV. As a studio musician for most major labels, Marcus has earned 2x Platinum and Gold awards with the band Lifehouse. He is also a BMI songwriter and Composer writing a few TV Themes for Paramount Pictures Television. 

 

4.   Jennifer Adan is a young Songwriter who recently achieved her first #1 hit, with a song titled “She Wouldn’t Be Gone”, recorded by country music star Blake Shelton.   (Shelton is reigning Country Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year and celebrity personality on NBC’s “The Voice”.)   At age 10, Jennifer wrote her first song (secretly) for a history assignment, and then surprised her parents with a song she wrote for their anniversary when she was 15.  She credits West Coast Songwriters with helping her to learn about the music business and how to improve her writing, and with helping her to make important contacts.  Jennifer moved to Nashville after winning a songwriting contest, and is now working on her NEXT #1 hit! 

 

5.   Josh Young is a Studio Musician, Music Executive, and Entrepreneur who has created three music-focused businesses.  Currently, Josh heads up Atrium Music Group, a company that creates and licenses music for television, film, and commercials.  Josh has worked as Supervising Music Editor for Extreme Makeover Home Edition, The Bachelor, and Big Brother and has created material for ABC, NBC, CBS, MTV, Fox, A&E, The Discovery Channel, and more.  Josh plays piano, saxophone, clarinet, and flute and is trained as a studio musician. 

 

6.   Kaitlin McGaw is a Singer Songwriter, Entrepreneur, and Educator.  Kaitlin is the founder of the highly-acclaimed Alphabet Rockers and School-Time Music, which create content and school assembly programs and performances to advance learning concepts for kindergarten through 2nd grade.   Both have been awarded Parents’ Choice and National Parenting Publication recognition.  Kaitlin also plays piano, and writes and records music with her own band.  McGaw is a graduate of Harvard University, and has been recognized by Harvard and the City of Boston for her work in intercultural learning and curriculum development for early education programs.

 

7.   Brian Mann is a successful composer who writes and arranges music for Film, TV, and Commercials.  Brian also produces recording sessions for musicians and singers in all styles of music.  He’s done studio work for many celebrity artists including Kenny Loggins, Neil Diamond, David Lee Roth, Olivia Newton-John, K D Lang, and many more.  His music has been heard on Oprah, Entertainment Tonight, Family Ties, Cheers, and countless television shows as well as commercials for leading brands.

 

8.   Jim Bruno is a Singer Songwriter, whose songs have been recorded and released by Shawn Colvin, Mary Lou Lord, Cliff Eberhardt, and many others.  Bruno has performed his music throughout the U.S. and Europe, and currently has a publishing agreement with Universal Music Group.  Bruno is an affiliated Publisher and Songwriter with BMI and the Harry Fox Agency.  He currently teaches Songwriting at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, CA.