Los Angeles songwriter Scott Oatley (aka Vân Scott) won the Overall Grand Prize as well as the first prize of the Gospel/Inspirational category of the 26th Annual USA Songwriting Competition with his song “What’s Coming Next?,” co-written with songwriters Jorge Mhondera and Jay Speight.
"I’m so glad to be awarded the Grand Prize in this year’s competition. As an Honorable Mention winner last year, I see this as a testament to perseverance and dedication to my craft. My winning song describes ‘living off the highs and lows,’ and I certainly don’t take this celebratory high for granted. It really means a lot to me to be validated and recognized in this way. It’s a happy byproduct of all the hard work that has brought me to this point, and I look forward to seeing where my music continues to go from here", said Scott Oatley.
Alt-pop singer-songwriter Scott Oatley aka Vân Scott has had the quiet success many only dream of. A sought-after singer in the Hollywood session scene, he’s had the opportunity to do vocal work for influential music producers such as Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and Mike Elizondo, renowned film composers like Danny Elfman and Michael Giacchino, sung on blockbuster scores like La La Land and Jurassic World, been featured on ABC's Black-ish, and performed as a background vocalist for The Voice, to name just a few of his credits.
Scott is currently a student at BerkleeNYC (Berklee College of Music’s brand new NYC campus at the legendary Power Station studios) working towards his Masters in Songwriting & Production. Earlier this year, he released his first full-length solo album, Almost Gone (AWAL / Oat Brand Music), featuring songs inspired by Scott's experience of doubt and uncertainty as he left his full-time church position to pursue his own music. The 10-song debut includes “What’s Coming Next?” (Grand Prize winner of the 2021 USA Songwriting Competition) as well his singles "Starry Eyed," "Die Young," and "Poster Boy," which won Honorable Mention in the 2020 USA Songwriting Competition. Sincere and true to himself, Vân Scott’s journey has only just begun. He hopes that his music encourages others to embrace who they are, and to be their best self.
The Overall Second Prize went to Spencer Dalton and Mr Emotional of Nashville, TN.
The Overall Third Prize went to Ava Suppelsa, Tristan Bushman and Michael August, also from Nashville, TN.
The first prize winner of the Rock/Alternative category went to Voyager, a rock band from Perth, Australia. The first prize winner of the World category went to a Folk band Garmarna, from Sundsvall, Sweden.
For more information, visit: songwriting.net
