ASCAP AWARD-WINNING SONGWRITER LARRY “J. PHOENIX” LOFTIN ADVANCES TO SECOND ROUND OF THE INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION

New York, NY….“If I Were You”, written by ASCAP Award-winning songwriter and vocalist, Larry “J. Phoenix” Loftin, has advanced to the second round of judging for the 2005 International Songwriting Competition in both the Pop/Top 40 and Country categories.
“I’m honored to have received this level of recognition,” says Loftin, who wrote and performed the hook for Tupac Shakur’s “Thugz Mansion” (Nas Acoustic) and whose songs have been recorded by high-profile artists such as platinum-selling R&B vocalist Joe, legendary jazz vocalist Nancy Wilson, renowned band Earth Wind & Fire, guitar sensation George Benson and Michelle Wright, one of Canada’s premiere artists.
Throughout his career “J. Phoenix has won numerous talent contests, the grand prize on Ed McMahon’s television show, The Next Big Star, and the ASCAP/Sammy Cahn Award for excellence in lyrics. His songs have been licensed for the films From Justin to Kelly, The Brothers, How to be a Player, and B.A.P.S., as well as numerous television shows including E! True Hollywood Stories, Revealed, Access Hollywood, and Facing Fame.
According to the International Songwriting Competition, almost 15,000 entries were received. Among the list of prestigious judges for the 2005 competition are Grammy Award winners Tom Waits, LeAnn Rimes, Macy Gray and BeBe Winans, legendary Country artist Loretta Lynn, saxophonist Sonny Rollins, Monte Lipman, President of
Universal Records, Darrale Jones, VP A&R – Urban, Atlantic Records and Alexandra Patsavas, Owner of The Chop Shop Music Supervision.
J. Phoenix-penned songs are included in the new Universal Music Production Library, www.umplmusic.com, and this year he will release his debut CD, Masterpiece.

# # #