I’m a firm believer of bad news first: The 2009 Session 1 John Lennon Songwriting Contest is closed! Done! No more entries!

Now, the good news: Session II of the JLSC is now open! Head over to http://www.ourstage.com/go/jlsc to enter. Get your guitars, your autoharps, your beat-boxes, and your didgeridoos, then go forth to shred the contest!

The Urgency: 2006 Rock Finalist: The Urgency has signed with Mercury/ Island Def Jam Records and is currently recording a full length with David Bendeth (Paramore, Hawthorne Heights) at The House of Loud in NJ.

Tally Hall – 2005 Pop GPW – Signed to Atlantic Records in 2008 – Tally Hall is an American Indie-Rock band formed in December 2002 based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The band released their major label debut record, Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum, on April 1st, 2008

Quietdrive- 2003 Rock GPW, The pop punk band based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota released their debut album When All That’s Left Is You on May 30, 2006 on Epic Records. As of April 2008, Quietdrive has parted with Epic Records and released their newest album, titled Deliverance, on October 14, 2008 with the Militia Group.

Sean Hosein, Dane Deviller – 2001 Pop GPW – The duo, under the writing team name called Banana Toouns, has crafted and/or produced hits for: Jessica Simpson, Kelly Rowland, Amy Grant, Stacie Orrico, 98 Degrees, The Corrs, Gloria Gaynor, as well as Laura Pausini. Hosein and DeViller’s works have earned numerous worldwide Gold and Platinum awards and have amassed international sales in excess of 35 million albums. Hosein and DeViller also founded Shred Records.

Keaton Simons – 2007 Folk Finalist. Signed to CBS Records in 2007. The Los Angeles, California Singer-songwriter’s new album Here Me Now is now out! His unique brand of bluesy, soulful rock has been featured in film and television multiple times.

Echovalve- 2004 Rock GPW- Signed to Rock Ridge Music in 2006. The Atlanta, GA Rock band just released their major label debut record, entitled helloagaingoodbye and is currently touring in support.

Crazy Anglos – 2005 Rock GPW – Signed to Atlantic Records in 2006. The nu metal/rapcore band from Marietta, Georgia, United States are currently working on a new record.

DEXTER FREEBISH – 1999 Pop Winner – Signed to Capitol Records in 2000. The Austin, Texas based band released one record on Capitol, before parting ways and pursing their goals indepently Their songs have been featured in several video games, mostly in the famous videogame label, Electronic Arts, like “Ghosts” in Tiger Woods 2004, “Save Me” featured in Superman Retuns, and both “Falling Down” and “Life of Saturdays” in NHL 2004. Their song “Pretty People” was also re-recorded in Simlish for Maxis-Electronic Arts game The Sims 2: University.

Peter Cincotti – 2006 Jazz GPW – Signed to Warner Brother Records. The New York, NY singer, songwriter, and pianist’s latest work, East of Angel Town, features all original works by the artist and is scheduled to be released January 13th, 2009 in the USA

Stay tuned!