Unsigned Only Announces 2016 Judges

The Unsigned Only competition is designed specifically for solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major label record company. Unsigned Only is looking for outstanding, talented artists—newcomers or veterans—and accepts original and cover songs.

The judge panel includes: Aimee Mann, Dustin Lynch, The Killers, Kool & The Gang, David Crowder, R. City, The Struts, Darryl McDaniels of Run D.M.C., Bone Thugs N Harmony, Aaron Shust, Hayes Carll, The Turnpike Troubadours, Colt Ford, Frank Foster, Kelly Price, Lucero, Rapsody, Contributing Rolling Stone Editor Anthony DeCurtis, Paste Magazine Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief Josh Jackson, Entertainment Weekly Senior Writer Kyle Anderson, Time Out Chicago Associate Editor Zach Long, American Songwriter Editor-In-Chief Caine O’Rear, Guitar Player Editor-In-Chief Michael Molenda, music critic Jim Farber, Yahoo Music Managing Editor Lindsey Parker, Your EDM Editor-In-Chief Matthew Meadow, Boston Herald Music & Theater Writer Jed Gottlieb, Chelsea Perry, LA Weekly Music Editor Andy Herman, Consequence of Sound Associate Editor Sasha Geffen, Electronic Musician Magazine Editor Sarah Jones and NewReleaseToday President Kevin McNeese.

Judged by a roster of celebrity recording artists and high-profile music journalists, Unsigned Only has increased its Grand Prize to $20,000 this year—plus additional merchandise.

The Grand Prize winner will also receive one-on-one mentoring from a group of upper echelon music industry executives, ranging from label presidents to heads of A&R. These are the people who make decisions about who gets signed, and could make a difference in artists’ careers. This is an opportunity to directly network with the top record company professionals and get advice, guidance and feedback.

Categories
AAA (Adult Album Alternative); AC (Adult Contemporary); Americana; Christian; Country; EDM (Electronic Dance Music); Folk, Singer/Songwriter; R&B/Hip-Hop; Rock; Pop/Top 40; Screen Shot; Teen; and Vocal Performance.

Original and cover songs are accepted in all categories except Screen Shot, which requires original songs suitable for placement in film, TV, advertising or gaming.

For more information and to enter, visit unsignedonly.com.