Kris Allen Teams Up With Songwriting Competition

CONWAY, Ark. - Nov. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- The Alchemy Songwriting Competition recently unveiled its judging panel for 2014, which includes recording artist Kris Allen. Allen, a platinum selling artist who jumped into the national music scene after winning the 2009 season of American Idol, has been a part of the Alchemy Competition since its founding in 2011.

The judging panel also includes Jonathan Smith, a songwriter and producer who has worked with artists such as Chris Tomlin and Hillsong. Adam Hambrick, a Nashville based songwriter signed with recording company Sony/ATV, will also serve as a guest judge.

The competition is now accepting original songs from all genres in both youth (13-17) and adult categories.  Submissions will be accepted until November 30, at which point the guest judges will pick their choices for the top ten songs.  Those songwriters will be invited to perform at a showcase in Conway, Arkansas on January 10, 2015, where the judges will give feedback and choose the overall winner.  The grand prize, provided by the Music Empowers Foundation, features a trip to Los Angeles for two and a day to record in the studio of music producer Warren Huart, who has previously recorded artists such as Aerosmith, The Fray, and Colbie Caillat.  Prizes will also be awarded to the top songwriters in each genre and age division.

Rachel Pearl, the 2013 overall winner, said of the competition, “As an artist there are so many options for contests and giveaways.  One of my friends told me about a contest in Arkansas and vouched for their legitimacy.  I said a little prayer and submitted a couple of songs.”  Pearl, a songwriter based in Nashville, was able to fly out to Los Angeles earlier this year to work with producer Warren Huart. “Taking the winning trip to LA was a dream! It was the trip of a lifetime!”

The competition and showcase are being hosted by Blackbird Academy of Arts, a non-profit that works to provide quality arts education to the Central Arkansas area. All proceeds will be used to help the organization continue to provide classes and scholarships for both visual and performing arts.

Guidelines, contest rules, full judges’ bios, showcase information and links to previous winners can be found at www.alchemycompetition.org .