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16th Billboard World Song Contest Announces Top Songwriters

Tulsa, OK - The 16th Annual Billboard World Song Contest has announced the winning songwriters for 2008. Winners are judged on composition, structure, melody, originality, lyrics, and commercial appeal. The top three winners in each of the twelve categories will have their winning song featured on the exclusive BBSC annual compilation CD, which is manufactured by contest sponsor DiscMakers, and delivered to music industry elite. Industry insiders know the best up-and-coming songwriters can only be heard on the Annual Billboard World Song Contest CD.

Other prizes include additional promotional and songwriting tools from our sponsors:

Casio keyboards, D'Addario Strings, BluBlocker Sunglasses, membership to TAXI (the Independent A&R Vehicle), female membership to GoGirlsMusic.com, Indie Band Manager software, and subscription to Sonicbids, premier online submission partner (www.sonicbids.com). The 16th Billboard World Song Contest winners are:

WINNER - ROCK / ALTERNATIVE

1) Barbara Baumann and Rob Laidlaw (Random Robbery) - Canada - "Carry On" 2) Nickolas Samuels and Chad Burrows (NUMA) - VA - "Like A Bruise" 3) Jamie Strange and Angela Strange - New Zealand - "Rockstar Clone" WINNER - POP 1) Joey Avalos (Stars Go Dim) - OK - "Get Over It" 2) Tom Williams and Adam Franklin (Toy Horses) - United Kingdom - "But What About The Future" 3) Lindsay Mac - MA - "Cry, Cry, Cry"

WINNER - RAP / HIP HOP

1) Yonas Mellesse (Cause) - NY - "Banga" 2) Khiry Day and Anthony Beck (Men of Business) - IN - "Head Right" 3) Mahyar Jamy Bagheri - Belgium - "The Violin's Cry"

WINNER - R&B / BLUES

1) Charles Dorsey - CA - "For The People" 2) Jo Kelly Stephenson - Australia - "I'll Be True To You" 3) Nina Tolins and Elise Hale (Nina) - NY - "Nobody's Gonna Own Me"

WINNER - COUNTRY

1) Chuck Allen Floyd - OK - "Borrowed Wings" 2) Scott Jarman and A J Yuill - TN - "Somethin Bout Leavin" 3) Barbara Wilkinson and Sonya Wood - MS - "I Need A Day Like That"

WINNER - DANCE

1) Lennart Jensen - Sweden - "Riah Got Rhythm" 2) Jens Mellentin and Angelino Pinto - Denmark - "Greatest Love" 3) Rachael Sage - NY - "Angel In My View"

WINNER - WORLD

1) Yeshe Reiners - Australia - "Peace of Mind" 2) Luiz Simas - NY - "Vai-e-Vem" 3) Tunde Oye - CA - "U are the one"

WINNER - AMERICANA / FOLK

1) Matt Harlan - TX - "Elizabethtown" 2) Joanne Myrol - Canada - "The Mighty Peace" 3) Michelle Chappel - CA - "No Place Like Home"

WINNER - JAZZ

1) Paul DeLoria and Greg Gilmore (Hardlogic) - NY - "Crudites"

2) Tommy Keenum and Jody Nardone - TN - "For Company"

3) Lis Soderberg and Brent Barkman - Canada - "All I Need" / Leonard Patton - CA - "Where You Are"

WINNER - LATIN

1) Lily Vasquez (Liliana Vasquez) - NY - "Pasión De Mujer"

2) Giselle Ojeda and David Leal (Domino Saints) - Puerto Rico - "Buenos Dias San Juan"

3) G. Martin and G. Albelo (Elisa María) - Spain - "Tal Como Soy"

WINNER - CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN / GOSPEL

1) Ian Townend - ID - "Got To See You" 2) Jade Ambroze - Australia - "More" 3) George Romanacce (Generation Letter) - FL - "Jesus My Glory"

WINNER - ELECTRONICA / SOUNDTRACK

1) Eduardo de la Iglesias - Spain - "The Pursuit" 2) Catya Maré - CA - "Light Longing" 3) Robert Romano (Shock of Pleasure) - TX - "Spacetime"

This contest is designed to offer a permanent stepping stone for the aspiring songwriter to further their promotional efforts and career. Last year's country category winner Rick Huckaby has become one of Nashville's hottest songwriters, most recognized for his relentless ability to write quality songs. He was just named "Small Label Breakthrough Artist of the Year" by Music Row Magazine.

For more information, please call (918) 827-6529 or visit the contest at www.billboardsongcontest.com and on MySpace www.myspace.com/billboardsongcontest.

Mark Furnas, Director
Jim Halsey, President
Billboard Song Contest
P.O. Box 1000
Mounds, OK 74047
mark@jimhalsey.com