Festival4Stars 2008 - International Song Writing Competition

JUDGING PANEL

Erika Lee

A freelance music industry professional, working with topline production companies and publishers such as . .

Galtline Studio’s LA, currently producing multi platinum artists such as
Kate Voegele . .  Interscope, Matt Natheson, Marc Broussard, Elliot Yarmin.

Stargate/ Dsign Trondheim Norway, Robin Jenssen produced hits for artists like Blue, Atomic Kitten, Jessica Simpson, Rhianna, Beyonce.

Ruffhouse Platinum Island Entertainment, San Diego  Steven Stone The Fugees, Lauren Hill, Kriss Kross,

Phantom4music Ontario Canada working with tv shows such as MTV, Laguna Beach, with song placements in many blockbuster movies and popular tv shows.

En2go Entertainments Las Vegas and LA Tolga Katas, Ted Cohen, Paul Fishkin

Nokia Music Steven Stewart Music Supervisor

Jason Nevins Globally revered hit producer with many multi platinum hit record remixes

Stevie Lange & Wicked Music . .  top London based Rock School and production company

Stuart Newton

A successful publisher who has created hits in the UK, Europe and the USA, with such artists as the Sugarbabes, Emma Bunton, Rod Stewart, Zuchero plus he created the successful international recording group Mike and the Mechanics.

Stuart has worked with Chris Neil producer of Celine Dion and Mike and the Mechanics and more recently with Steve Mac who has written and produced tracks for Westlife, Ronan Keating, Kelly Clarkson and the this year’s (2007) first No1 with Leona Lewis.

In all cases these acts have HITS, because of the quality of the songs they write and record, good promotion and “a little bit of luck”…

Jonathan Shalit

Jonathan Shalit, 44, is regarded as one of the most exciting impresarios in the UK - working in all areas of the entertainment industry as both a highly regarded Manager of talent in Music and Television, and running his own Music Production and Publishing company.

Jonathan has recorded some of the greatest artists in the world. The pivotal moment of Jonathan's entertainment career was when he re-discovered the late legendary harmonica player Larry Adler, with who he produced a huge selling Gershwin tribute album with Sir George ‘Beatles’ Martin recording artists such Cher, Chris de Burgh, Elton John, Jon Bon Jovi, Peter Gabriel, Sinead O'Connor and Sting.

Charlotte Church is the artist Jonathan is best known for discovering in 1997, from where he guided her to being the biggest selling British singer in the world, selling over 7 million CDs. Jonathan’s association with Charlotte took her from local school concerts to starring at the Hollywood Bowl, TV shows across America, the world and into the Guinness Book of Records

Picture: Judge Jonathan Shalit with winner Martin Goddard

Nicky Graham

Music Producer, Song Writer, Musician, Music Publisher and A&R Man, Nicky Graham has a wealth of experience in the music business having sold millions of records and been involved with some of the most successful artists over the past thirty five years. From David Bowie and Mott the Hoople through The Nolans and Barbara Dickson to BROS, Let Loose and Ant & Dec and recently Darius Danesh, Shakin’ Stevens, Katie Price and Peter Andre, Nicky has brought his songwriting and A&R skills to many artists and is still Producing from his Studios in London where he is working at present on albums for Julio Iglesias.

Picture: Judge Nicky Graham with winner Grace Scourfield

Rosetta Bain

Creative Director, Indie TV and Managing Director, Indie Music. Rosetta has a distinguished track record in identifying and developing talent in both TV and Music. Prior to joining Indie Media, Rosetta was Creative Director of Shine and a former Head of Entertainment for Mentorn. She has produced primetime entertainment programmes for BBC1, BBC2, Channel 4, FIVE and Sky One. She was the creator and Executive Producer of Star for a Night, the BBC1 music talent show which launched the career of Joss Stone.

Rosetta started her career as a producer at London Weekend Television making shows that focus on bringing new talent to the screen as well as specialising in reality formats. She went on to create Moviewatch for Channel 4 and produced the first three series before becoming Executive Producer. In 1994 she joined Mentorn as the Head of Development and then went on to become the Head of Entertainment running a department with a wide ranging slate of programming across all channels. At Shine she was responsible for the development of the ground-breaking interactive game show Dial M for Money. All her shows enjoyed ratings success (LWT’s Blind Date regularly attracted 16-18 million viewers, Star for a Night final - 15 million). Rosetta has an acute sense of what appeals to a mass audience.

In 2006 Rosetta discovered Robert Bowden and oversaw the successful conclusion of the 4 album deal with Sony BMG.

Stevie Vann Lange

Stevie Vann Lange is a famous vocalcoach. Stevie has worked with KT Tunstall, Blue, Joe Elliot (Def Leopard) Girls Aloud, Pharrell Williams, Robbie Williams, Sugababes, Justin Hawkins, Steps, Lulu, Paul Young, Jamie Cullen, Paolo Nutini, and many many more. She also works with Audio Engineer hiusband 'Alan' in their Recording Studios in London.

Michelle Holmes

Michelle Holmes is the Director of “fameScool”, the confidence and performance academy based in schools all over London and the South East.

“We’re all about raising the confidence of young people in the UK through the one thing they are ALL into…Pop music!  By teaching them singing, dancing and presenting skills in a supportive, fun environment we give them the self belief they need to go on and reach their full potential, whether it’s as a performer or not!  There is a LOT of talent in the UK which is going undiscovered because young people don’t have the confidence to go for their dreams and that’s what we want to put right!” 

She is also a high energy singer, songwriter and television presenter, has worked on set for CD:UK, with SM:TV’s kids squad, toured Europe with the cast of Miss Saigon, performed at countless festivals in front of crowds of up to 25,000 people, organised festivals and concerts for various charities, presented countless shows for Sky and cable television and loves the buzz of performing so much, she has even toured Europe as a Hawaiian dancer!

Michelle has written and recorded tracks with Sir Harry Cowell and Ben “Jammin” Robbins of Rive Droit (and now Private & Confidential Music Ltd) who were responsible for writing and producing hits for Kylie Minogue ‘On a night like this’, Enrique Iglesias ‘Hero’ and ‘Bailamos’, Jimmy Nail ‘Ain’t no doubt’, Cher ‘Believe’ as well as chart success with Steps, Celine Dion, Ricky Martin, Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli, Tina Turner and Rod Stewart, the Backstreet Boys, Keith Urban, Noise Next Door, LeAnn Rimes, Cliff Richard, GioAria, Katherine Jenkins, The Freemasons and Faith Hill.  She has also worked with Producer Mike Alton who produced “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble” for Ant and Dec writing and producing tracks for “Girls United.”

Michelle has also worked as backing vocalist and/or vocal coach to many singers including Mutya Buena formerly of Sugababes, Preeya Kalidas (the original Priya in “Bombay Dreams”) and Danielle Brown (Spice Girl Mel B’s sister) as well as fine tuning the vocal chords of many other up and coming British talents.

Robin Jenssen

Robin lives in HUNDHAMAREN in Norway. He is the Manager & CEO of the companies Dsign Music / Dsign Management

He  manages several IDOL winners and international producers and songwriters and has vast experience in the music Industry regularly putting songs forward for publishing from the U.K. and Norway.He will be travelling to London from Norway to join the Finals judging panel on Saturday 1st November.