The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) announced its 2024 winners this week. "Now in its 23rd year, ISC is dedicated to promoting the art and excellence of songwriting and providing a platform for both aspiring and established songwriters to gain recognition in the global music industry. With its esteemed panel of judges and prize packages, winning ISC continues to be a benchmark of songwriting achievement," they said in a statement.
"Christian artists bodie, Sajan Nauriyal, and Wes Strunk, have been awarded the competition’s coveted Grand Prize for their co-written song 'whisper and the wind.' This is the first time in ISC’s 23-year history that the Grand Prize is awarded to artists in the Christian music genre. The winning composition captivated ISC’s esteemed panel of judges with its compelling lyricism and emotional resonance – rising above the 14,000 submissions from 112 countries."
"In addition to international recognition, they receive a prize package of $25,000 (US) in cash and over $40,000 in additional prizes," they said. "The trio now joins a distinguished roster of past ISC Grand Prize winners that includes globally acclaimed artists such as Vance Joy, Tones And I, Illenium, Gotye, and more –and further cements their position as influential voices shaping the future of music and songwriting."
“We are thrilled and deeply honored to award the Grand Prize to a Christian artist for the first time in our history. This moment not only celebrates extraordinary songwriting but also recognizes the profound impact that faith-inspired music can have on hearts and minds around the world,” said Candace Avery, ISC Founder and Director. “bodie, Sajan, and Wes have proven that they are world-class songwriters who approach spirituality in a way that’s incredibly accessible, breaking down barriers between religious and secular audiences.”
"In 2022, bodie captivated millions as the runner-up on NBC’s The Voice, where his performances earned pubic recognition and a devoted, national fan base. Since then, bodie signed with Provident/Sony, a major Christian music label, in April 2024," they said. "He released his debut EP, Happy to Be Here, in September 2024, featuring the ISC-winning song 'whisper in the wind,' which went to #36 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart."
"As a producer and artist, Sajan Nauriyal has also earned acclaim for his dynamic songwriting, earning him a Grammy nomination at the 67th Grammy Awards for the Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. Wes Strunk has also distinguished himself as a sought-after songwriter and artist, with credits spanning award-winning independent projects. He is part of the Billboard-charting duo NONAH."
"In addition to the Grand Prize winner, First, Second, and Third Place winners were chosen in 24 categories ranging from Pop/Top 40 and Rock to Jazz, Country, World Music, and much more. These winners are also recognized for their exceptional songwriting talent and craftsmanship and are honored for their artistic achievements."
A full list of winners and Honorable Mentions is available at www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.
Celebrity judges include: Paul Stanley (KISS),Tom Waits, Joe Hahn (Linkin Park), Elle King, Seph Schleuter, James Adam Shelley (American Authors), Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Topic, Lonnie Liston Smith, Sidewalk Prophets, Armin Van Buuren, Steve Lillywhite, Kim Wilson (The Fabulous Thunderbirds), Nancy Wilson (Heart), Glen Ballard, NEEDTOBREATHE, Ian Felice (The Felice Brothers), Tom Hambridge, Danilo Perez, Jack DeJohnette, Tracy Nelson, Above & Beyond, Stanley Jordan, Tim Rice-Oxley (Keane), James McNally, Jordan St. Cyr, Gordon Goodwin, Ashwin Batish, Carter Burwell, Nicholas Gunn, and Sommore.
Industry judges include: Tina Davis (President, Empire Records); John Doelp (Sr. VP of A&R Operations, Columbia Records); Holly Zabka (President, Provident Entertainment); 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); Brad Beausir (Sr. Director of A&R, Warner Records); Will Speer (Managing Director, Magic Star Records/Sony); Marshall Altman (VP of A&R, Nettwerk Music Group); Golnar Khosrowshahi (President, Reservoir Media Management); Kim Buie (A&R Consultant); Kate Labrel (VP of A&R, Warner Records); Jacob Edgar (Founder, Cumbancha); Matt D'Arduini (Sr. VP of A&R /GM, Last Nite Records/Arista Records); Steven Rosen (President/Creative Marketing and Music Publishing, Regime Music Group); Joel Timen (VP of A&R and Publishing, Curb/Word Entertainment); Justin Prager (Sr. Dir. of Programming, VEVO); Cesar Gomez Montoya (A&R, Codiscos); Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); Julie Kertes (Editor/General Manager, Hot Diggity Media); Jacqueline Post (Head of Publishing, Connection Music Publishing); Anton Powers (Head of A&R, Ministry of Sound); Jennifer Ivory (Managing Director, Parlophone Records); Leib Ostrow (Founder/CEO, Music For Little People); Katherine Dines (Advisory Board and Magic Penny Award Chair, Children’s Music Network); Claire S. Green (President, Parents' Choice Foundation); Benjamin Groff (President, Brill Building Music Publishing); Tamara Conniff (EVP, Roc Nation Music Publishing); Carl Caprioglio (Founder/CEO, Oglio Entertainment); Elena Epstein (Director, National Parenting Product Awards); Sarah Wanstall (Production Mgr., ARC Music Productions)
ISC is sponsored by: Arturia; Austrian Audio; BABY Audio; Ernie Ball; Graph Tech Guitar Labs; Hotone Audio; Indie Bible; Kompoz; Lewitt Audio; Lurssen Mastering; MasterWriter; ModernBeats; Music Business Registry; Not Only Noise Entertainment; Play MPE; PressedFresh Collective; Prodigy Camp; Royer Labs; Songbay; Songbox; Sweetwater; The Church Studio; Timberline Guitars
For a complete list of winners and to listen to the winning songs, please visit the ISC website at www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.
Entries are now open for ISC 2025. For more information and to enter, go to https://www.songwritingcompetition.com
bodie photo courtesy of ISC
