Judges include up to twenty nationally and internationally acclaimed writers, artists, producers, musicians, managers and journalists. See below for confirmed judges - full details on judges to be released soon.
Entry into 'The Plug 2011' is limited to ONE song only per artist.
Deadline for entries is midnight (AEST) on 15 November 2011.
Finalists will be announced during December 2011.
Winner will be announced at Tamworth during the 2012 Country Music Festival. 'Like' Channel C on Facebook for updates and event details...
Prize packages will be awarded during 2012, based around completion of pre-production work, availability of artists, facilities, personnel, logistics and at the sole discretion of Channel C.
Channel C will attempt to provide publicity opportunites for the artist where possible, however it is the responsibility of the artist to support the release by proactively engaging with various media.
All copyright and publishing rights for all entries is retained by the respective writer(s).
Channel C will retain a ten percent share of gross revenue generated by sales of the audio and video release of the winning song. These funds include producer royalty and offset production costs.
Master recordings will remain the property of Channel C.
Channel C reserves the right to withhold prize packages in the event that the winning entry is found to infringe copyright law or the artist brings the event into disrepute.
Judges...
Chuck Cannon
A critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, Chuck Cannon's songs have been recorded by artists including Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Toby Keith, Paul Carrack, Merle Haggard, Shawn Mullins, George Strait and Boyzone. Chuck's numerous number one and top ten songs have logged over twenty million radio airplays and he has been the recipient of numerous coveted BMI Million-Air awards. http://www.chuckcannon.com
Ralph Murphy
Successful over five decades and with multiple number one and top ten hits to his writing and production credits, Ralph Murphy is the 'go-to guy' when it comes to songwriting. His now legendary 'Murphy's Laws Of Songwriting' has now been released in book form. http://murphyslawsofsongwriting.com
Catherine Britt
Catherine Britt's achievements include several critically acclaimed albums, including her current self-titled release featuring the hits 'Can't Change A Thing', 'Sweet Emmylou' and 'I Want You Back'. Catherine's regular live performances both within Australia and internationally are quite often described in terms of 'breathtaking' and 'transcendent'. http://www.catherinebritt.com
Adam Harvey
Adam Harvey is much loved as a live performer, songwriter and recording artist. His achievements include a multitude of awards for his many hit singles, albums and live shows. Adam's recent release 'Both Sides Now' included duets with artists including Leo Sayer, David Campbell, Guy Sebastian, John Williamson and Renée Geyer. http://www.adamharvey.com.au
Bill Chambers
A highly proficient guitar, dobro and steel guitar player, Bill Chambers is one of Australia's most loved and respected musicians. In addition to his own successful solo recordings, he has written and produced music for a multitude of award winning and critically acclaimed artists. His current album 'Drifting South' is arguably his finest work to date. http://www.billchambersmusic.com
8 Ball Aitken
8 Ball Aitken's unique blend of country and 'swamp' blues have elevated him to icon status within his Australian homeland and seen him tour internationally to the USA, Canada, Europe and Japan. Recorded to analogue tape, 8 Ball's current album 'The Tamworth Tapes' captures his authentic, raw energy. http://www.8ballaitken.com
Chaise Flanders
A successful pop artist and writer within her home country of Australia, Chaise Flanders now resides in Nashville, USA. Chaise is in high demand as a writer and co-writer and has a long list of 'cuts' by a very diverse list of artists. http://www.pacificinternationalmusic.com
Michael Flanders
A naturally gifed multi-instrumentalist, writer and producer, Michael Flanders was a staff writer and producer with Warner/Chappell Music Australia for many years. Michael has now established his own studio and publishing house in Nashville and Australia, producing music with a wide array of artists. http://www.pacificinternationalmusic.com
Michael Fix
Michael Fix has established himself as one of Australia's finest guitarists and composers, performing at festivals across Australia, Europe, Asia, and writing evocative music for television, film and documentaries. Michael's latest album 'Two Timing' features duets with some of the worlds greatest guitar players including Tommy Emmanuel, Adam Rafferty and Louie Shelton. http://www.michaelfix.com
David Berg
Equally at home in the wildly divergent realms of jazz, rock, funk, reggae, folk and bluegrass, New Yorker David Berg can be found most any given night playing and singing for all he's worth.
He has shared the stage with a very wide range of artists including Jaco Pastorius, Paul Butterfield and Melvin Seals. David has also performed, recorded and toured nationally with members of the Grateful Dead, Tower Of Power, Bob Marley and The Wailers, The Neville Brothers, The Meters and Tito Puente Orchestra. http://www.davidbergmusic.com
Other judges include Chris O'Hearn, Susan Jarvis and Duncan Wood.
The Plug...
ATTENTION!
Australian Singer-Songwriters...
In 2011 Channel C is offering the opportunity to have your music heard by hit songwriters, producers and music industry professionals. If you're an Australian resident and you write and perform material somewhere within the wide genre of country music, then you should consider entering 'The Plug'. If our judges pick your entry as the winner, you'll have the opportunity to record/release your song and also make a professional music video.
Winning entrant will receive...
Melbourne travel and accommodation package.
Recording of winning song at Wick Studios, Melbourne.
Production by award winning producers and engineers.
National radio delivery package.
Digital release package including iTunes.
Music video production package.
Referral to leading artist managers and agents.
Co-writing opportunities with leading writers.
Am I eligible to enter and how do I enter?
If you're an Australian resident and have never released a commercial recording, you can enter 'The Plug'. Final decisions on eligibility will be made by Channel C.
To enter, simply submit a video of yourself performing an original song (must be a LIVE, SOLO performance). Co-written songs are ok, provided at least fifty percent of the work is your own. No additional musicians or backing tracks may be used.
What are the judges looking for?
A GREAT, original song. This will usually be a highly original story or story told from a unique perspective that many people can relate to. Here's some tips...
An engaging performance that draws the audience into the story, supporting the song. This does NOT mean technical brilliance, but rather the ability to inspire an emotional response in the listener.
The technical quality of your video/audio will not be considered by the judges. We would suggest, however, that communication of your song may be optimised by a higher quality recording.
2011 Contest
NOW CLOSED...
Our judges will soon be choosing the winning entry to be announced at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January 2012. For further details, please 'Like' Channel C on Facebook.
FINALISTS...
To view all entries, please go to 'The Plug', on ChannelC.com.au...
For 'The Plug' updates, please 'Like' Channel C on Facebook.
