Billboard Song Contest Expands Search for Songwriting Talent

Song contest Director promotes alliance with independent music associations to widen search for songwriting talent.

TULSA, OK -- July 26, 2002 -- David Kindred, Managing Director, Jim Halsey Company, Inc. and Director of the Billboard Song Contest, announced today that the worlds leading authority on music is launching the biggest search yet for the best and brightest new songwriting talent. The Billboard Song Contest presents songwriters with exposure to some of the music industry's most influential names, as well as the chance to win major prizes that could help skyrocket winning songwriters careers.

David Kindred said, The mission of the Jim Halsey Company, Inc. is to provide educational resources to those seeking careers in the music and entertainment industry. We believe that the independent music association plays an important supporting role to independent artists and songwriters and that our special promotion will present win-win opportunities for both associations and songwriters, while allowing us to reach more talented songwriters who are seriously pursuing their careers."

The expanded search for new talent includes discounts on Billboard Song Contest entries for all association members who respond by an early deadline promotion set for September 15, 2002, versus the regular entry deadline set for November 1, 2002. Association members who send contest entries by September 15, 2002, will have an opportunity to submit entries into more categories without incurring additional entry fees to increase their chances to win in additional genres," said Mr. Kindred. The offer extended through Independent Music Associations allows members to enter up to two songs in two categories at no additional charge, a potential $60 savings to the independent songwriter.

The Top Winner's of each of the 8 categories will be featured on the Winner's CD, which is produced by Disc Makers and distributed throughout the industry to Music Publishers, Record Company A&R, Producer's, Artists, Managers and Agents. Other prizes include an Epiphone Guitar with case, Digidesign Mbox with Pro Tools LE, subscriptions to TAXI, the independent A&R service, Elixir Guitar Strings, Indie Band Manager software, BluBlocker Sunglasses, as well as prestigious industry recognition. The 11th contest also marks the first year you can enter the contest online through an exclusive relationship with Sonicbids.com.

Jim Halsey Company, Inc. offers music and entertainment business consulting, management and education, led by entertainment legend, and co-creator of the Billboard Song Contest, Jim Halsey. Jim Halsey's career spans over 50 years as artist manager, agent and impresario, discovering and/or guiding the careers of such illustrious personalities as Roy Clark, The Oak Ridge Boys, Waylon Jennings, The Judds, Reba McEntire, Minnie Pearl, Clint Black, Tammy Wynette, Mel Tillis, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam, Lee Greenwood, Hank Thompson and many others. For 27 years Halsey has been the manager for The Oak Ridge Boys. The Halsey Institute of Music and Entertainment Business offers music business curriculums through Community Colleges in Tulsa, Oklahoma and is soon to launch a multimedia online training program.

For more information contact Contest Director, David Kindred at (918) 624-2100, or by email at david@jimhalsey.com. Songwriters should contact their association to obtain a special association entry form. For more information about Jim Halsey, the Jim Halsey Company, Inc. and The Halsey Institute, you may also visit the Jim Halsey Company website at http://www.jimhalsey.com.

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