New York – Unsigned Only is a unique music competition designed for bands, solo artists, and singers all over the world who are not signed to a major record label or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or imprints. The goal of Unsigned Only is to find an outstanding, talented performer: a band, singer, or solo artist…raw or polished – the “gem” that needs to be discovered. Unsigned Only is looking for the total package.
All entries must be postmarked/mailed on or before March 13, 2014. If you are entering online, the deadline is 11:59 EST (US) on March 13, 2014. Complete Rules are HERE.
Unsigned Only is a novel approach to other music competitions. It not only offers great prizes, recognition, exposure, and the chance to be heard by a group of judges consisting of high-profile recording artists and industry professionals, it also puts the Grand Prize winner in direct, personal contact with the influential record label executives who are the ultimate decision-makers. For the first time ever, a music competition offers the Grand Prize winner the opportunity to be mentored by a group of record company presidents, A&R reps, and more. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to directly network with the top echelon of record company professionals and get guidance, advice, feedback, and networking opportunities.
Judges include: John Oates (Hall & Oates); Neon Trees; Black Francis (The Pixies); Delbert McClinton; RobertSmith (The Cure); Rosanne Cash; 3 Doors Down; Darryl McDaniels (RunDMC); Of Monsters and Men; G. Love; Jason Gray; Alt-J; Rapsody; The Mountain Goats; Anthony DeCurtis (Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone); Josh Jackson (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine); Chris Richards (Pop Music Critic, The Washington Post); Michael Hann (Music Editor, The Guardian); Lucy Jones (Deputy Editor, NME); and more.
Mentors include: Monte Lipman (Chairman and CEO, Republic Records); Jeff Castelaz (President, Elektra Records); Seymour Stein (Chairman, SIRE Records and VP of Warner Bros. Records); Pete Ganbarg (Executive VP/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); Mike Elizondo (Sr. VP of A&R, Warner Bros. Records); Tony Kiewel (VP of A&R Sub Pop Records, Hardly Art, Sub Pop Publishing); Allison B. Jones (VP of A&R, Big Machine Label Group); Josh Bailey (Sr. VP of A&R, Word Label Group); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R, Capitol Music Group); Lenny Santiago (VP of A&R, Roc Nation); Dino Paredes (Sr. VP of A&R/GM, American Recordings); Evan Peters (Director of A&R, Virgin Records); and more.
The Grand Prize winner will be awarded $10,000 in cash (plus additional prizes) and one-on-one mentoring by an elite group of record company executives. First Place and Second Place winners will also be selected in each category. First Place winners in each category will receive $1,000 in addition to other prizes. Second Place winners will also receive prizes. All prizes are listed on the Prize page. Winners for the 2014 competition will be announced at the end of August.
The 2014 Categories include:
• AAA (Adult Album Alternative)
• AC (Adult Contemporary)
• Americana
• Country
• Folk/Singer-Songwriter
• R&B/Hip-Hop
• Rock
• Pop/Top 40
• Vocal Performance
Judging Criteria: originality, songwriting/arrangement, vocals, performance, and overall likeability.
New for Unsigned Only 2014: Unsigned Only will be accepting both original and cover songs in all categories. Entries in the Vocal Performance category will be based solely on the quality of the vocals.
