Introducing American Songwriter’s 2023 Song Contest Judges Panel

Julia Michaels (Artist/Songwriter)

Julia Michaels, initially gained prominence as a songwriter, writing hit songs for artists such as Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran, and more. As a solo artist, she has released multi-platinum selling singles, earning her 5 GRAMMY® nominations.

Beyond the solo music set for release in 2023, Julia was a lyrical anchor for many of best and brightest projects in 2022, including Sabrina Carpenter’s vulnerable album, Emails I Can’t Send, country superstar Maren Morris’ song “Circles Around This Town,” John Legend’s “Waterslide,” Conan Grey’s confessional “Telepath” and “Disaster,” Ellie Goulding’s “Easy Lover,” and more. She’s also composing music for a Disney movie, Wish, set for a fall 2023 release.

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Tommy Lee (Artist/Songwriter)

Tommy Lee is a musician, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the drummer and co-founder of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. As a solo-artist, he has released several albums and has collaborated with artists such as Rob Zombie, Methods of Mayhem, and Sum 41. 

https://www.tommylee.com

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Jelly Roll (Artist/Songwriter)

Three-time CMT Award winner, Jelly Roll, is a rapper, singer and songwriter who is known for his unique blend of hip-hop, country and rock music. He has released several studio albums, mixtapes, and EPs and has collaborated with artists such as Lil Wyte, Struggle Jennings and Yelawolf. 
 
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Nasri Atweh (Artist/Songwriter)

With over 4 billion streams to his name, Nasri Atweh is a certified hitmaker. As frontman of the band MAGIC! and in lending his songwriting talents for artists, including Justin Bieber, Halsey, Chris Brown, Robin Thicke, Usher, John Legend, Skip Marley, H.E.R., Chloe x Halle, and many more, Nasri has proven his ability to bring out the best in the artists he works with and elevate their craft.

Today, Nasri continues to work with music’s top talents. In 2020, he was nominated for 5 GRAMMY® awards, including Best Pop Vocal Album (Justin Bieber – Changes), Best R&B Song (Skip Marley ft. H.E.R. – “Slow Down”), Best Reggae Album (Skip Marley – “Higher Ground”), Best R&B Album (John Legend – “Bigger Love”) and Best Progressive R&B Album (Chloe x Halle – “Ungodly Hour”).

 

Natalie Grant (Artist/Songwriter)

As a 9x GRAMMY® nominee and 5x GMA Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year, Natalie Grant has become an icon in Christian & Gospel music. In addition to garnering more than 500 million streams and multiple number No. 1 albums and singles on the Billboard Charts, she is also a respected author and philanthropist. She is the co-founder of Hope for Justice, a non-profit organization in the fight against human trafficking, which has 32 offices across 9 countries and 5 continents, and fights to rescue & restore victims of human trafficking as well as prosecute traffickers. Natalie lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, GRAMMY® Award winning songwriter and producer, Bernie Herms, along with their 3 daughters, Gracie, Bella and Sadie.

https://nataliegrant.com/

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 Aly & AJ (Artist/Songwriter)

When the California sister duo of Aly & AJ released their dream-rock return in 2021—the epically titled a touch of the beat gets you up on your feet gets you out and then into the sun—it marked a new beginning. A decade and a half into their careers, the album was their most realized yet, the work of a band reclaiming itself. In the wake of the runaway TikTok revival of their 2007 hit, “Potential Breakup Song,” Aly & AJ transformed their foundation of Disney pop and TV sitcoms into a new vision of sparkling guitars, close harmonies, and highway sprawl, growing on their own terms.

Aly & AJ’s star continues to shine bright with today’s release of their new full-length album ‘With Love From.’ It’s a freeing & organic outing for the duo that leans into Americana territory and captures the feeling of life on the road.‘With Love From’ was recorded with a live band at the legendary Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, California over the past year. 

https://alyandaj.com/

The Band CAMINO (Artist/Songwriter)

The Band CAMINO is an indie-rock band consisting of three members: Jeffery Jordan, Spencer Stewart, and Garrison Burgess. Since they formed in 2015, the band quickly gained popularity through their energetic live performances and impeccable songwriting. 

https://www.thebandcamino.com/

 Landon Cube (Artist/Songwriter)

Landon Cube is a multi-platinum selling recording artist and songwriter from Pomfret, MD. He is currently based in Los Angeles and has worked with artists including Lil Skies, 24kgoldn, NoCap, Yung Bans, Yung Pinch, and many others. He has worked with renowned producers like Omer Fedi, Nick Mira, John Feldmann, and more.

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram (Artist/Songwriter) 

GRAMMY®-winning guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Christone “Kingfish” Ingram has quickly become the defining blues voice of his generation. From his hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi to stages around the world, the now 24-year-old has headlined various national tours with Vampire Weekend, Jason Isbell, and Buddy Guy. Rolling Stone declared, “Kingfish is one of the most exciting young guitarists in years, with a sound that encompasses B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix and Prince.”

https://www.christonekingfishingram.com/

Madison Cunningham (Artist/Songwriter)

Madison Cunningham is a 26-year-old GRAMMY® award-winning artist and songwriter known for her “wonderfully tangled imagery and cutting self-awareness” (NPR). As a guitarist, Madison has pushed the boundaries of a conventional singer-songwriter as her “guitar work is both classic and wildly emotive, and her soaring vocals are pristine and inspired” (Consequence). 

Cunningham’s latest effort, Revealer, won the GRAMMY® for ‘Best Folk Album.’ Revealer finds her working once again with producer Tyler Chester along with Mike Elizondo and Tucker Martine. Written and recorded over all states of the pandemic, Madison says, “To me, ‘revealer’ is the binding theme of the album. The hand that slowly chips away at the mirror in which you see yourself and the world and replaces it with the reflection that is most true.” 

https://www.madisoncunningham.com/ 

Tiny Habits (Artist/Songwriter)

Tiny Habits is an acoustic, folk-pop trio, formed in Boston, MA by artists Maya Rae, Cinya Khan and Judah Mayowa. Focusing on three-part harmonies and a beautifully intimate vibe, the trio’s enticing signature sound has already helped drive them to viral success.

The three singer-songwriters met at Berklee College of Music and the band was born at the beginning of 2022. They started out sharing covers that are stunningly re-arranged to highlight their lush harmonies. The trio received praise and comments very early on, from artists such as David Crosby, Justin Timberlake, Marcus Mumford, Phoebe Bridgers, Jacob Collier, Joe Jonas, Lennon Stella, Andy Grammar, Ben Platt, Ziggy Alberts and Adam Melchor. They have since collaborated with Mark Ronson, JP Saxe, and Lizzy McAlpine, supporting the latter in her performance on NPR Tiny Desk. They have also performed and toured with Lizzy as well as with artists such as Gracie Abrams Eloise, Alexander 23, Ingrid Michaelson, and Lawrence.

Tiny Habits have recently signed with management Macklam Feldman and independent record label Harbour Artists (Lizzy Mcalpine, Eloise).
The debut EP from the band, Tiny Things was released on April 12, 2023. The music is a reflection of their personal experiences, highlighting deep human connection and emotional journeys.

https://tinyhabitsofficial.com/

Bonnie McKee (Artist/Songwriter)

Bonnie McKee is an American singer, songwriter, director, and actress. McKee has co-written 10 No. 1 songs in the US and UK, and is particularly known for collaborating with pop singer Katy Perry, co-writing a slew of memorable hits, including “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “Last Friday Night”, and “Roar”, which is RIAA Certified Diamond. In addition to co-writing songs for all your favorite pop stars (Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Derulo, Christina Aguilera, and many more,) McKee continues to release and perform her own songs as an indie pop artist, and recently wrote, directed, and starred in her award winning short film, April Kills The Vibe.

https://www.bonniemckee.com/

Samia (Artist/Songwriter)

Samia is a 26-year-old singer/songwriter from New York. She has been writing and releasing music, playing festivals and supporting acts such as Soccer Mommy and Cold War Kids since 2017. Samia’s sophomore album, Honey, has generated millions of streams since its release in early 2023. 

https://www.samiaband.com/

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Kevin Garrett (Artist/Songwriter)

Kevin Garrett is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from Pittsburgh. Best known for his flawless soulful vocals, lush instrumentation, and post-modern alternative adventurousness, he’s an GRAMMY® Award-nominated artist that is ever evolving. With a back catalogue of releases that sits at over 100 million streams and over one million monthly listeners, Kevin’s sound is a captivating example of musicianship that translates seamlessly into a mesmerizing live experience.

With a reputation for songwriting that precedes him, Kevin’s past collaborators include Beyonce, James Blake, Cynthia Erivo and more recently Lennon Stella, Maths Time Joy and Troye Sivan.

Influenced by the likes of Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder and Joni Mitchell, Kevin Garrett has crafted a unique style of soulful alt-pop that has received much critical acclaim (The Fader, Complex, American Songwriter). Now embarking on his next chapter Kevin Garrett is certainly an artist to keep all eyes on.

https://kevingarrettmusic.com

Brett Dennen (Artist/Songwriter)

Brett Dennen is an Americana singer/songwriter from Central California. Throughout his career, he has released several albums, toured extensively, and has shared the stage with artists such as Jason Mraz, John Mayer and Dave Matthews. 

https://www.brettdennen.live/

Brandon Ratcliff (Artist/Songwriter)

Born and raised in Cotton Valley, LA and signed to Monument Records, Brandon Ratcliff burst onto the scene in 2019 with his debut single “Rules of Breaking Up.” After a year of highlights, including opening for Kelsea Ballerini, Brett Young, and Keith Urban, being selected as Pandora’s Ones to Watch artist, and topping Rolling Stone’s all-genre Breakthrough Artists chart, the world came to a screeching halt in 2020. At a crossroads with his music, and his life, Ratcliff went back home to figure out who he was and what he wanted to say, and write his next project.

Greatly influenced by the music of the Louisiana delta and the bluegrass ingrained in his blood, Tale of Two Towns is a coming-of-age record that reads like a book of Ratcliff’s life these last few years. Emerging from the most revolutionary season of his life, he asks the listener to explore with him what it means to leave home and follow your dreams.

https://brandonratcliff.com/

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Tushar Apte (Producer/Songwriter)

Tushar Apte is an Australian writer/producer/composer based in Los Angeles. Apte has had successful releases with some of the world’s biggest artists, including Demi Lovato, Blackpink, BTS, Zayn, Nicki Minaj, Noah Cyrus, Chris Brown, Benson Boone and many more. Records that Apte has produced and written on have amassed over 2 billion streams.

Apte is also an accomplished Film and TV composer, having composed on shows for NBC (Zooey’s Incredible Playlist), BET (The Bobby Brown Story composed with Babyface), ITV (BBQ Champ), BBC, Netflix (Jr. Jams) and many more.

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Tariq Cherif (Co-Founder of Rolling Loud)

Tariq Cherif is the co-founder of Rolling Loud, the world’s largest hip-hop festival, alongside his lifelong friend Matt Zingler. A fan before all else, Tariq’s music industry career began when, as a college student in Florida, he observed local promoters booking EDM shows while ignoring hip-hop. Dissatisfied with the lack of shows booking his favorite rappers, Tariq took matters into his own hands, partnering with Matt Zingler to co-found Dope Entertainment in 2010, a new promotion company founded on the principle of keeping a finger on the pulse of fans’ desires and accommodating artists with utmost hospitality. Over the next five years, Dope Ent. became the top hip-hop promotions company in the state of Florida. With their newfound expertise in booking and buoyed by Dope Ent.’s success, the pair founded Rolling Loud in 2015. Starting as a one-day festival in Miami, Rolling Loud quickly grew to become exactly what it set out to be—the largest hip-hop festival in the world, with three annual stateside festivals and shows in Australia, Europe, and Asia. 

https://www.rollingloud.com

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Adam Anders (Producer/Songwriter)

Creating the soundtracks of our lives, Adam Anders and Anders Media Inc. have sold more than 100 million albums and created the music for some of the most successful major motion pictures and television shows in history. His songs have broken music chart records and his work has earned him 3 GRAMMY® nominations, 2 People’s Choice Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards, and an ARIA Award. Anders was the Executive Music Producer for the Warner Brothers film, Rock Of Ages, and for FOX-TV’s wildly popular television show, Glee. More recently, Anders Produced and Executive Music Produced the movie adaptation of the acclaimed musical, The Prom, for Netflix, and is currently the Executive Music Producer for FOX’s multi-generational musical drama, Monarch, and in post-production for his directorial debut, Journey to Bethlehem.

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Peter Asher (Artist/Songwriter)

Peter Asher is a musician, producer, and manager known for his work as one-half of the pop duo, Peter and Gordon, in the 1960s. Additionally, he signed and produced artists like James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, leaving a lasting impact on the folk-rock and singer-songwriter genres. Mr. Asher has produced fourteen Grammy Award-winning recordings, and in 1977 and 1989 was honored individually with the GRAMMY® Award for “Producer of the Year”.
 

http://peterasherbook.com/

Brady Blade (Artist/Songwriter):Brady Blade is a drummer, producer, and composer best known for collaborating with artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Emmylou Harris, Jewel, and Indigo Girls. His exceptional drumming abilities made him an extremely sought-after studio musician.

Brady Blade (Artist/Songwriter)

Brady Blade is a drummer, producer, and composer best known for collaborating with artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Emmylou Harris, Jewel, and Indigo Girls. His exceptional drumming abilities made him an extremely sought-after studio musician. 

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Griffin William Sherry (Artist/Songwriter)

In 2011, Sherry co-founded the independent band The Ghost of Paul Revere, capturing the hearts and minds of countless fans with a series of acclaimed releases and sold-out shows everywhere. He helped establish his own music festival, performed on national television, and garnered millions of streams. In 2019, his song, “The Ballad of the 20th Maine,” became the official Maine State Ballad, securing The Ghost of Paul Revere’s place in Maine music history.

In 2022, after writing music for seventeen years, Griffin’s begun work on his first solo record, taking a defiant step in a new direction.

https://www.griffinwilliamsherry.com/

Neff-U (Producer/Songwriter):Neff-U is a GRAMMY®-award winning songwriter, producer, composer and tech inventor, who has worked with Michael Jackson, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and more. He has composed for movies and TV shows on Netflix, Disney & Fox etc. Theron and his music company Ahh Haa are both signed to Universal Music Publishing.

Neff-U (Producer/Songwriter)

Theron Feemster, aka Neff-U, is a GRAMMY®-award winning songwriter/ producer/ composer and tech inventor, who has worked with Michael Jackson, Dr.Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber, Doja Cat, Halle Bailey and Sia among countless others, has composed for movies and TV shows on Netflix, Disney, Fox, and more.

After graduating high school, Feemster went on to Berklee College of Music. It was there in his dorm that he composed a musical composition that made its way into the hands of Will Smith, which became the theme song for Men in Black II. In 2001, Neff-u moved to Los Angeles to dive into his never-ending journey of musical growth. Feemster and his music company, Ahh Haa, are both signed to Universal Music Publishing.

https://theronfeemster.com/about-neff,

Adam Grossman (A&R, Atlantic Records and APG Publishing): Adam Grossman is a Los Angeles based Senior Director of A&R at Atlantic Records and APG Publishing. He has worked with artists such as Jason Derulo, Jax, David Guetta, Ava Max, 24kgoldn, Faouzia, maryjo and many more.

Adam Grossman (Sr Director of A&R, Atlantic Records and APG Publishing)

Adam Grossman is a Los Angeles based Senior Director of A&R at Atlantic Records and APG Publishing. Originally from Baltimore, MD, Adam grew up playing in bands, writing/producing music, and attended the music school at the University of Miami. Adam has worked with artists such as Jason Derulo, Jax, David Guetta, Ava Max, 24kgoldn, Faouzia, maryjo and many more.

 

Stephanie Davenport (A&R, Warner Music Group):

 

Stephanie Davenport (Senior Director of A&R, Warner Music)

Stephanie Davenport is Senior Director of A&R at Warner Music Nashville. A lifelong lover of country music, Stephanie moved to Nashville in 2003 to attend Belmont University, during which time she realized her passion for developing and nurturing artists and songwriters. Upon graduating, Stephanie first worked at WME (William Morris Endeavor) booking concerts for their country roster before making the move to Warner Music Nashville in 2011. In her current A&R role at Warner, she scouts talent and solicits songs for artists such as Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Cody Johnson, Gabby Barrett, Michael Ray, and Kenny Chesney, in addition to overseeing projects for Ian Munsick, Randall King, Drew Parker, Austin Snell, Madeline Edwards, Tyler Braden, Jessie James Decker, and more.

 

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Samantha Cox (Vice President, Creative)

As Vice President, Creative, New York, Samantha Cox is responsible for overseeing the Pop, Rock and Indie team based in BMI’s New York office. She is also responsible for scouting and signing new songwriters and publishers, and maintaining relationships with existing BMI affiliates worldwide, as well as coordinating various songwriter nights, showcases and seminars. 

As a 20-year veteran of BMI, Cox has been a critical force in the songwriter community, and has been instrumental in shaping the careers of numerous BMI songwriters, including Lady Gaga, Halsey, Ammar Malik, Bebe Rexha, 3 Doors Down, Shinedown, My Chemical Romance, Howie Day, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Flyleaf and many others.

Song Contest Judge

Brooke Morrow (EVP, Electric Feel Entertainment)

As Executive Vice President of Creative Development at Electric Feel Entertainment, Morrow oversees the Creative and A&R departments, and is tasked with creating synergy between all creative arms of the company as well as work to expand the roster of talent, including artists, producers, songwriters, and engineers, which includes Post Malone. Prior to joining Electric Feel, Morrow was at Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) for 13 years, most recently as AVP of Creative Worldwide.

Rohan Kohli

Rohan Kohli (A&R, Warner Music Group)

Kohli joined the Warner Music Nashville A&R team in 2017, working extensively with GRAMMY® Award-winning duo Dan + Shay and 3x GRAMMY®-nominee Ingrid Andress. He began his career at Ozone Entertainment in New York as a manager for bands, including Boys Like Girls as well as songwriter/producers Sam Hollander and Dave Katz. He moved to Los Angeles and transitioned into full-time writer/producer management before settling in Nashville in 2013, where he worked with talents such as Paul DiGiovanni, Andy Albert, and more. Kohli graduated from Emory University in Atlanta with a degree in Economics.

Matt Maschi

Matt Maschi (Artist Manager, Beautiful Mind Publishing Exec)

Seasoned A&R professional with companies like Universal Music Group, Arthouse Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. Currently, managing Jon Bellion and is an executive at Beautiful Mind Publishing. 

Joe Ferrari (A&R, Sony Music Canada)Joe Ferrari is the Head of A&R at Sony Music Canada where he has led the development of an exciting and diverse roster, focused on nurturing exceptional Canadian talent. Ferrari has also helped implement successful marketing campaigns for artists such as One Direction, Hozier, and Sia.

Joe Ferrari (Director of A&R, Sony Music Canada)

Joe Ferrari is the Head of A&R at Sony Music Canada where he has led the development of an exciting and diverse roster, focused on nurturing exceptional Canadian talent. Under Ferrari’s leadership, artist development has been the cornerstone of Sony Music Canada’s A&R strategy, which has led to the success of artists such as popstar Tyler Shaw, breakout rapper Pressa, EDM mainstays Young Bombs, R&B newcomer Aqyila, and alt-pop artist laye to name a few. At home and abroad, Ferrari is recognized as one of Canada’s leading industry executives, known for his artist-friendly approach and forward-thinking perspective on the music industry.

Prior to leading the A&R team, Ferrari was responsible for implementing successful marketing campaigns for artists such as One Direction, Hozier, Sia and Odd Future. Joining Sony Music over 12 years ago, Ferrari had previously operated his own management company, Sons of Cicero, where he cut his teeth working with young luminaries such as Fritz Helder (Fritz Helder & The Phantoms, Azari & III).

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Jaryn Valry (A&R, RCA Records)

Jaryn Valdry is on the A&R team at RCA Records. She works across various pop and R&B projects including August Royals, Samaria, Tate McRae, and Jade Thirlwall. She is a graduate of USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and the Thornton School of Music.

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