The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) announced on Tuesday that it, "is proud to unveil its 2025 panel of judges, comprising some of the most iconic names in music alongside the industry's most influential executives. Launched in 2002, ISC continues to be recognized globally as the premier competition for songwriters, providing an unmatched platform for aspiring and established writers to have their music heard by a panel of high-profile decision-makers in the music business."
"The 2025 judges include internationally renowned recording artists, critically acclaimed songwriters and producers, and senior-level executives from the world’s most respected music companies such as Sony, Capitol, Columbia, Republic, Arista, and more," they said.
“Bringing together this year’s judges is like assembling a dream team of music visionaries,” said Candace Avery, Founder of the International Songwriting Competition (ISC). “Their diverse artistry and global influence not only elevate the prestige of ISC, but also give songwriters an unparalleled opportunity to have their music heard by the very people shaping today’s musical landscape.”
"With more than $150,000 in cash and prizes, including a $25,000 Grand Prize, ISC is open to amateur and professional songwriters from around the world. Past winners have gone on to sign record deals, publishing deals, and even win Grammy Awards. Notable alumni include Tones and I ('Dance Monkey'), Vance Joy ("Riptide"), Gotye, Bastille, Gregory Porter, Passenger, Nate Smith, Coco Jones, For King & Country, Kehlani, Jordan Adetunji, The Band Perry, Fantastic Negrito, and many, many more."
"For emerging artists seeking to get their foot in the door or established songwriters looking for additional recognition, ISC is the perfect opportunity to gain industry exposure, connect with key players in the music world, and take a music career to the next level."
"Categories include: AAA (Adult Album Alternative), AC (Adult Contemporary), Americana, Blues, Children's Music, Christian, Comedy/Novelty, Country, EDM, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Hip-Hop/Rap, Instrumental, Jazz, Latin Music, Lyrics Only, Music Video, Performance, Pop/Top 40, R&B/Soul, Rock, Teen, Unpublished, Unsigned, and World Music."
The complete list of judges (directly from ISC) is:
Recording Artists Jason Mraz; Tom Waits; Gavin Rossdale (Bush); Andy Grammer; Elle King; Ryan Adams; Desmond Child; Cody Jinks; Fetty Wap; Armin Van Buuren; Nancy Wilson (Heart); Kristian Bush (Sugarland); Waka Flocka Flame; Kim Wilson (The Fabulous Thunderbirds; Above & Beyond; Fantastic Negrito; Sidewalk Prophets; Ian Felice (The Felice Brothers); Deon Cole; Glen Ballard; Kevin Roldan; James Adam Shelley; Topic; Tom Hambridge; Tracy Nelson; Arooj Aftab; Antonio Vergara; Nampa Basico; Steve Lilywhite; Seph Schleuter; Lonnie Liston Smith; Jordan St. Cyr; Danilo Perez; Tim Rice-Oxley (Keane); Stanley Jordan; Carter Burwell; James McNally; Ashwin Batish; Jack DeJohnette; Gordon Goodwin; Nicholas Gunn; Tom Green (Comedian); Josh Johnson (Comedian); Sommore (Comedian)
Industry Professionals John Doelp (Sr. VP of A&R Operations, Columbia Records); Alexandria Dollar (Sr. Dir. of A&R, Capitol Christian Music Group/Motown Gospel); Txema Rosique (VP of A&R, Sony Music Latin); Josh Berkman (Sr. VP of A&R, Republic Records); Peter Strickland (General Mgr., BBR Music Group); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Daniel Glass (President/Founder, Glassnote Records); Richard Stumpf (CEO/Founder, Hawkeye Music Group); Ed Vetri (President, Wind-Up Records); Golnar Khosrowshahi (President, Reservoir Media Management); Kim Buie (A&R Consultant); Jacob Edgar (Founder, Cumbancha); Matt D'Arduini (Sr. VP of A&R /GM, Last Nite Records/Arista Records); Jodie Cammidge (Managing Dir., Polydor Label Group); Joel Timen (VP of A&R and Publishing, Curb/Word Entertainment); Steven Rosen (President/Creative Marketing and Music Publishing, Regime Music Group); Justin Prager (Sr. Dir. of Programming, VEVO); Jon Cohen (President, Big Noise Music Group); Cesar Gomez Montoya (A&R, Codiscos); Anita Chinkes-Ratner (EVP/Creative Music Strategy, Paramount); Anton Powers (Head of A&R, Ministry of Sound); Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); Michael Peek (Gen. Mgr., Armada Music Publishing); Jacqueline Post (Head of Publishing, Connection Music Publishing); Leib Ostrow (Founder/CEO, Music For Little People); Julie Hurwitz (Founder/CEO, Songbird Creative); Katherine Dines (Advisory Board and Magic Penny Award Chair, Children’s Music Network); Julie Nakahara (Editor/Gen. Mgr., Hot Diggity Media); Claire S. Green (President, Parents' Choice Foundation); Benjamin Groff (President, Brill Building Music Publishing); Tamara Conniff (CEO/Partner, AMR Songs); Carl Caprioglio (Founder/CEO, Oglio Entertainment); Elena Epstein (Dir., National Parenting Product Awards); Sarah Wanstall (Production Mgr., ARC Music Productions)
Sponsors include: Baby Audio; Celebrity Access; Godin Guitars; Graph Tech Guitar Labs; JZ Microphones; Lurssen Mastering; Modern Beats; Music Business Registry; Play MPE; Pressed Fresh Collective; The Online Recording Studio
For more information, visit https://songwritingcompetition.com/
