Song Contest Opens with over $10,000 in Cash and Prizes

North Carolina – June 1st marked the official launch and call for entries for the 2007 North Carolina Songwriters Co-op 10th Annual Song Contest presented this year by Sam Ash Music. With over $10,000 in cash and prizes, the contest promises to capture a record number of entries this year from all over the world through Sonicbids.com. The contest is the longest running, non-genre specific song contest in North Carolina.

Contest Director, Eileen Batson commented, “NCSC is a non-profit group of songwriters supporting songwriters and the art of songwriting. We open our contest to a wide variety of songwriters by accepting a diversity of music genres. We are thrilled to have Sam Ash Music as our chief sponsor this year. Everyone who follows the rules and enters by August 31st wins something.�

Sam Ash Music, The Musical Instrument Megastore (www.samash.com), has traditionally been a great supporter of independent music. Founded in 1924, there are 45 Sam Ash stores nationwide including one on Capital Blvd in Raleigh.

Oasis CD (www.oasisCD.com), the number one provider of CD manufacturing services for independent musicians; OnlineGigs (www.ONLINEGIGS.com), an online booking service for independent musicians and venues secured the Platinum Level sponsorships. The Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, (www.alznc.org) captured the third sponsorship due to the generous donation made on their behalf.

GHS Strings, Levy Leathers, Tara Labs, TAXI, as well as local supporters, The Curran Foundation, the Music Loft of Carrboro and Lulu.com, have provided a wealth of prizes. By becoming a sponsor, businesses, organizations and individuals align themselves with a statewide group with a history and reputation for producing a quality contest and one of the best annual live shows in the Triangle.

Submissions will be received electronically via Sonicbids (sonicbids.com) and by mail-in. The eight finalists then compete in a live performance before a select group of judges at the newly constructed 200 seat Performing Arts Theatre at the Holly Springs Cultural Center (www.hollyspringsnc.us) on Saturday, October 13, 2007. The site is close to Raleigh, has state-of-the art sound, video and lighting systems, a large reception space, and growing reputation for musical performances.

Details and entry rules for the contest can be found on the SonicBids and NCSC websites (www.ncsongwriters.org).


About NCSC: North Carolina Songwriters Cooperative is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support and promotion of songwriters. NCSC assists new and established songwriters by providing a nurturing, supportive environment, resources for self promotion/marketing information, and holding workshops designed to enhance songwriting and performing skills.

| PO Box 335 Carrboro, NC 27510 | www.ncsongwriters.org. ###
Media Contacts

NCSC: Eileen Batson, Contest Director 919.327.5021 contest@ncsongwriters.org

Sam Ash Music: Paul Ash, President 888.615.5904 ext 101 www.SamAshMusic.com

OnlineGigs: Jay Flanzbaum 888.595.3122 www.onlinegigs.com
Alzheimer's Assoc, Eastern NC Chapter: Alice Watkins, Exec Dir.,800.228.8738 www.alznc.org

Oasis CD: Micah Solomon 866.409.8170 micah@oasisCD.com

Holly Springs Cultural Center: Bob Klaus 919.567.4000 bob.klaus@hollyspringsnc.us