Grand Prize Judge : Roy Elkins, CEO of Broadjam, Inc.ROY ELKINS is a well-known music technology entrepreneur who has been leading industry innovations for over twenty years. Elkins is the Founder and CEO of Broadjam Inc., serving independent musicians and industry giants such as Warner/Chappell, The Academy of Country Music, AMD, Yamaha, Peavey, Roland, ProSoundWeb and others. Broadjam.com, the company's popular web site, now hosts one of the largest collections of searchable independent music on the planet. The site is known for its user-friendly services for musicians, including artist web pages, song reviews, song contests, Top 10 Charts and the revolutionary METAJAM software.
Before founding Broadjam, Elkins was the Vice President-Sales & Marketing for Sonic Foundry, and held several director-level positions with Ensoniq Corporation. He maintains a database of over 5,000 music industry contacts include executives at virtually every company in the music industry and past and/or present artists such as Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, D.J. Jazzy Jeff, the Beach Boys, the Allman Brothers Band, BoyzIIMen, Roy Firestone, Joe Walsh (The Eagles), Paul Broucek (Lord of the Rings), ELP, Yes, Journey, Skid Row, Bill Walton, Jackie Martling (Howard Stern), David Arkenstone, Randy Jackson and many others. He is an accomplished musician and songwriter who thoroughly understands the musician's world. www.broadjam.comCategory Judges
Americana: Jenni Mansfield Peal is a songwriter and singer, guitarist, accordionist, and mountain dulcimist. Her experience includes two tours of Northern Ireland, main stage at the Kerrville Folk Festival, numerous original productions and ensembles, and four independent albums. The Mr. Peppermint Show featured Jenni’s songs on multiple episodes that were syndicated world-wide for years, and her most recent recording is for children and families: Putting On the Old Folk’s Clothes. Jenni was named The Best Folk Song Writer in North Texas by CBS DFW, among four, in October 2010. From October 2012 until February 2014, Jenni created and hosted the broadcast radio show “Everybody’s Folk” for KNON 89.3 FM in Dallas.
http://www.jennimansfieldpeal.com
Christian/Inspirational: Bobby Smith and Dorinda Duncan - Author and Gospel Producer E Robert Smith who traveled the road many years with Christian artist, Dion, has switched his created talents to fiction writing. His new novel, Downline, is a gripping tale of the world of multilevel marketing. DORINDA is a songwriter who a performed across the US, most notably at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Former recording artist with Capitol Records, she is currently cutting a Christian album with Bobby producing.
Bobby's book on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Downline-E-Robert-Smith/dp/0988820900
Country: .Jamey Shannon was born on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and raised in Tupelo and Starkville, he has also lived in Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and now Florida. He holds degrees from Mississippi State University, Southwestern Seminary and The University of Southern Mississippi. As Director of Choral Activities at Mississippi Delta Community College, Jamey teaches voice, guitar, and bass, and also directs the Ambassador Show Choir and the MDCC Singers. Jamey is also a singer songwriter. His musical style is a kind of country/blues/old rock feel, if you can imagine that. He writes songs that are personal, some songs that are just goofy and fun, and some that are about character and just doing what's right. https://www.jameyshannon.com
Instrumental : John Bryant is a Dallas based drummer, percussionist, composer, music producer and founding member of the world music percussion, D'Drum. He is adjunct professor at the Southern Methodist University Meadows School of Music. He majored in music at the University of North Texas, where he performed and recorded with the One O’Clock Lab Band. He has recorded and/or performed with numerous artists including Ray Charles, Delbert McClinton, Joe Walsh, Lightnin' Hopkins, Paul Winter, Paul Stokey, Phil Ramone, Stewart Copeland, Dallas Symphony and Doc Severinsen. Bryant has played, composed and produced music for many different types of projects that include regional artists, touring shows, major motion pictures, and documentary films for PBS and National Geographic.
In early 1974, Bryant joined the acclaimed world music group Paul Winter Consort, playing drums and percussion. Based out of New York City, he toured extensively throughout the country doing concerts and university clinics; he also recorded with the Consort and Paul Stookey in New York, working with producer Phil Ramone.
https://www.smu.edu/Meadows/AreasOfStudy/Music/Faculty/BryantJohn
Novelty/Children's : JeriAlice Arsenault, owner of Riversounds Recording Studio provides the creative atmosphere, equipment, sound studio, and accommodations for aspiring artists. Musicians of all genre have recorded there. Owner Jerialice is no stranger to musical machinations herself as she is a solo recording artist and front woman for the band Enchanted Rock. She has also performed with Joe King Carasco. She currently manages the Riversounds studios, campgrounds and Merlin’s Cabin. In addition, she founded the non-profit organization Chemo Sabe, a group dedicated to providing uplifting music to cancer patients in addition to organizing, supporting, and providing recording services for cancer benefits and events. The group also provides newly diagnosed patients with support and resources for navigating life with cancer. Jerialice.comhttp://www.enchantedrock.com/recording.html
Love Songs/Easy Listening: Emmeline Miles is a musician and candidate for Doctor of Liberal Studies at SMU's Simmons School of Education and Human Development. Because music engages the entire brain and reaches aspects of the human spirit that are beyond words, the creation of music is uniquely capable of facilitating post-traumatic healing. Emmeline is doing research that seeks to identify whether the act of creative writing—with or without music—can better prepare children for adverse experiences and provide them with the tools to process those experiences. https://www.emmelinemusic.com
Pop/Rock - Kent and Kay Ellingson, Kent has been a part of the Dallas music scene since the early 1980’s. He has performed in jazz groups for years and has played in concert with many jazz greats, including Randy Brecker, Kevin Mahogany, Clark Terry, Chris Vadala, Phil Woods, and others.Kent is a full-time music instructor at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Dallas Arts Magnet). He also teaches jazz piano at Collin College in Plano and Eastfield College in Mesquite.
Kay has been called “small but mighty” with a dynamic range of voice and style. A familiar name in the DFW area, her fan base circles the globe thanks to her versatility and smooth, silky style.
Singer Songwriter: DAVID CARD, Owner, Poor David’s Pub
Most of Texas’ greatest songwriters have one thing in common: they’ve headlined at Dallas’ legendary music venue, Poor David’s Pub. For the past 31 years, Poor David’s Pub owner David Card has been host to outstanding artists such as Sara Hickman, the Dixie Chicks, Patrice Pike, Max Stalling, Guy Clark, Jimmy Webb and more. Card is also the founder of the annual BW Stevenson Memorial Singer-Songwriter Competition, held at Poor David’s every April and now in its 20th year. Card, Poor David’s Pub and the annual contest have helped the careers of past singer-songwriter winners including Adam Carroll, Max Stalling, Kristi Kruger, Gordy Quist, Elizabeth Wills, Colin Boyd, Owen Temple and many others. http://www.poordavidspub.com
Bobby's book on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Downline-E-Robert-Smith/dp/0988820900
Country: .Jamey Shannon was born on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and raised in Tupelo and Starkville, he has also lived in Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and now Florida. He holds degrees from Mississippi State University, Southwestern Seminary and The University of Southern Mississippi. As Director of Choral Activities at Mississippi Delta Community College, Jamey teaches voice, guitar, and bass, and also directs the Ambassador Show Choir and the MDCC Singers. Jamey is also a singer songwriter. His musical style is a kind of country/blues/old rock feel, if you can imagine that. He writes songs that are personal, some songs that are just goofy and fun, and some that are about character and just doing what's right. https://www.jameyshannon.com
Instrumental : John Bryant is a Dallas based drummer, percussionist, composer, music producer and founding member of the world music percussion, D'Drum. He is adjunct professor at the Southern Methodist University Meadows School of Music. He majored in music at the University of North Texas, where he performed and recorded with the One O’Clock Lab Band. He has recorded and/or performed with numerous artists including Ray Charles, Delbert McClinton, Joe Walsh, Lightnin' Hopkins, Paul Winter, Paul Stokey, Phil Ramone, Stewart Copeland, Dallas Symphony and Doc Severinsen. Bryant has played, composed and produced music for many different types of projects that include regional artists, touring shows, major motion pictures, and documentary films for PBS and National Geographic.
In early 1974, Bryant joined the acclaimed world music group Paul Winter Consort, playing drums and percussion. Based out of New York City, he toured extensively throughout the country doing concerts and university clinics; he also recorded with the Consort and Paul Stookey in New York, working with producer Phil Ramone.
https://www.smu.edu/Meadows/AreasOfStudy/Music/Faculty/BryantJohn
Novelty/Children's : JeriAlice Arsenault, owner of Riversounds Recording Studio provides the creative atmosphere, equipment, sound studio, and accommodations for aspiring artists. Musicians of all genre have recorded there. Owner Jerialice is no stranger to musical machinations herself as she is a solo recording artist and front woman for the band Enchanted Rock. She has also performed with Joe King Carasco. She currently manages the Riversounds studios, campgrounds and Merlin’s Cabin. In addition, she founded the non-profit organization Chemo Sabe, a group dedicated to providing uplifting music to cancer patients in addition to organizing, supporting, and providing recording services for cancer benefits and events. The group also provides newly diagnosed patients with support and resources for navigating life with cancer. Jerialice.comhttp://www.enchantedrock.com/recording.html
Love Songs/Easy Listening: Emmeline Miles is a musician and candidate for Doctor of Liberal Studies at SMU's Simmons School of Education and Human Development. Because music engages the entire brain and reaches aspects of the human spirit that are beyond words, the creation of music is uniquely capable of facilitating post-traumatic healing. Emmeline is doing research that seeks to identify whether the act of creative writing—with or without music—can better prepare children for adverse experiences and provide them with the tools to process those experiences. https://www.emmelinemusic.com
Pop/Rock - Kent and Kay Ellingson, Kent has been a part of the Dallas music scene since the early 1980’s. He has performed in jazz groups for years and has played in concert with many jazz greats, including Randy Brecker, Kevin Mahogany, Clark Terry, Chris Vadala, Phil Woods, and others.Kent is a full-time music instructor at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Dallas Arts Magnet). He also teaches jazz piano at Collin College in Plano and Eastfield College in Mesquite.
Kay has been called “small but mighty” with a dynamic range of voice and style. A familiar name in the DFW area, her fan base circles the globe thanks to her versatility and smooth, silky style.
Singer Songwriter: DAVID CARD, Owner, Poor David’s Pub
Most of Texas’ greatest songwriters have one thing in common: they’ve headlined at Dallas’ legendary music venue, Poor David’s Pub. For the past 31 years, Poor David’s Pub owner David Card has been host to outstanding artists such as Sara Hickman, the Dixie Chicks, Patrice Pike, Max Stalling, Guy Clark, Jimmy Webb and more. Card is also the founder of the annual BW Stevenson Memorial Singer-Songwriter Competition, held at Poor David’s every April and now in its 20th year. Card, Poor David’s Pub and the annual contest have helped the careers of past singer-songwriter winners including Adam Carroll, Max Stalling, Kristi Kruger, Gordy Quist, Elizabeth Wills, Colin Boyd, Owen Temple and many others. http://www.poordavidspub.com
