British Songwriter Julian Gardner along with co-writers J.O.Y. and Paddy Hunt won top honors at the 29th Annual USA Songwriting Competition, making him the first from UK to win the top award. Julian hails from Wales, UK. Top winners in past years hail from USA, Canada and Australia.
“I’m over the moon to be chosen as the 2024 USA Songwriting Competition Overall Grand Prize Winner! I was speechless when I heard the news. It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the USA Songwriting Competition in this way. I've been on a great musical journey so far, though sometimes tough at times, and this really has put some amazing light on my musical project that really makes it all worth the hard work. It means so much to me to be validated like this and win the greatest songwriting competition in the world. I feel so proud and honored with this amazing news! Thank you”, said a jubilant Julian Gardner.
After receiving an honorable mention award in the USA Songwriting Competition with his single "Problem" in 2023, Julian regrouped and went to work on a new song "Higher than Love”. The hard work paid off to win the Best Dance/Electronica category award of the competition and also the grand prize overall Winner of the USA Songwriting Competition in 2024. This makes his win so gratifying.
The Overall Second Prize went to Skylar Springer and Kayliann Lowe, from Brick, NJ with their song "Stubborn".
The Overall Third Prize went to Liddy Clark from St. Louis, MO with her song "My Best Friend's Getting Married".
Other notable winners inlcude: Bill DiLuigi, along with co-writers Steve Dean and Billy Montana won the Best Country Award. Bill DiLuigi has songs recorded by Bonnie Tyler, Blessed Union of Souls, and Johnny Lee. Steve Dean has co-written six number one hits on the Billboard Country Charts. Billy Montana has written number one hits on the Billboard Country Charts, recorded by Garth Brooks, Sara Evans and Lee Brice.
Kristen Ford from Nashville, TN along with world renowned Alternative/Folk Artist Ani Difranco won an honorable mention award with their song "White Man’s Dream". The complete list of winners and finalists can be viewed at: www.songwriting.net/winners
