NC Songwriter’s Co-op Announces 11th Annual Songwriting Contest Winners

Dec. 12, 2008 - PRLog -- Raleigh, NC – Letha Costin, songwriter, female vocalist and bass guitarist for the acoustic "folk & roll" trio Tranzenders, walked away with the winning songs in the 11th Annual North Carolina Songwriter’s Co-op Songwriter’s Contest.  She led the field of eight finalists with her 2-song submission of “Unmarked Pavement” and “Memoirs of a Mountain.” Two distinctively different styles showcased her songwriting talent.

Rutherfordton, North Carolina resident Keith Hill took 2nd Place with “As If” and “When God Moves a Stone” and Garrison Doles of Orlando, Florida claimed third place with “Mahalia Jane” and “We Give Ourselves Away.”

The three winners were chosen by industry professionals Catesby Jones: Hit Singer/Songwriter; Harriet Schock: Platinum Award-Winning Songwriter, National Recording Artist, and Songwriting Instructor;  Linne Black: Co-owner of Pitchy Women Music/ASCAP and Pitchy Women Pluggers, hit songwriter and Coordinator of NSAI Winston-Salem; Michael Graziano: Recording Studio Owner, TV Producer/Director; and Philip van Vleck: Music Writer/Critic for Billboard, Dirty Linen and the Durham Herald-Sun.

Finalists Tracy Newman (Tracey Newman and The Reinforcements) of Los Angeles, CA; Larry Nixon (Nixon, Blevins & Gage) of Raleigh, NC; Nick Parent of Cary, NC; Mary Rocap of Cedar Grove, NC; and Gail Sevin (Daniel Lee "DiEL" of Oakton, VA) were announced as well.  All submitted two selections each showcasing their unique style, lyrics and presentation.

Cash, certificates toward equipment purchases from Sam Ash Music, and a gear bag filled with an assortment of gift certificates and products from the Music Loft of Carrboro, Levy’s Leathers, GHS Strings, an award from NCSC and more were received by the three winners and five finalists.

The top three winners were also honored with certificates from Oasis CD for producing their next CD, press releases from Batson Group Marketing and PR, business cards from Guildmaster Graphics and web hosting from AwesomeWebs.com. Costin, as the first place winner, also received a year’s membership in Taxi, the world's leading independent A&R Company and dinner for two at the Gulf Rim Café in Hillsborough.

For more information on NCSC and to hear the music of the winners, finalists and honorable mentions go to www.NCSongwriters.org.


About NCSC:
North Carolina Songwriters Cooperative is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support and promotion of songwriters. PO Box 335 Carrboro, NC 27510 | www.ncsongwriters.org  coordinator@ncsongwriters.org.

Media Contacts:
NCSC: Eileen Batson - Batson Group Marketing and PR BatsonGroup@yahoo.com 919.327.5021

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