JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Song of the year - ok or scam?

Anyone see this? Got it in my email.

http://www.songoftheyear.net/


Tom

I got it too, Tom. It appears to be legitimate, but who knows.

Donna

An expensive lottery ticket IMHO.

Tom, if you're thinking of submitting any of Justice's songs anywhere next year, you might look at SongDoor.

www.songdoor.com

A nice site, and only $10 per song to enter (as opposed to the usual $25-30 required by other competitions).

Donna

Thanks DonnaMarilyn. I appreciate the information.

Tom

I got the same email......yes it probably is an expensive lottery ticket. The prizes do not seem to be that great considering the high entrance fee..... averaging $20-$30 per song. Interesting to know how many entries they get and do the maths as to how much money they make.

Hey Guys, I think this is a scam.

First of all, note that in the email (I also received it), it says: "Song and Lyric writing judges Randy Jackson, Faith Hill, Steven Tyler, Alicia Keys, and Toby Keith". Nowhere is this info substantiated on their website.

Secondly, note how the images and quotes from Bono, Mariah Carey, and Garth Brooks are used on their website to give the contest "legitimacy":
http://www.songoftheyear.com/about.htm

I suspect the above artists won't be too happy to find out their images and quotes are being used in this manner.

Thirdly, there's this at RipoffReport which makes me really wary:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/Internet-Fraud/Song-Of-The-Year/song-of-the-year-song-writting-d8m26.htm

Last but not least, doesn't it seem odd that there are ZERO contest sponsors mentioned or listed on their site? Isn't it odd when you search Google news, there are ZERO news articles about this contest? And yet, their first prize is supposedly USD55,000!!! When even the legitimate ASCAP and BMI-promoted ISC contest has a grand prize of only USD25,000.

If I'm wrong that this is a scam, I hope someone from songoftheyear.net/.com will clarify on this forum about the info I've mentioned here.

I'm also curious about how they got my email address, since I never subscribed to their website before -- and I don't like getting spammed. Could it be someone is trawling songwriting websites like JPF and mining emails?

Caveat Emptor!

As always, contests are contests. They are not legitimate within the eyes and ears of the music industry.They are fine for what they are but they are never going to present a big hit. And anyone using big names like this is for sure a scam.

"Song of the Year." Should give it away. What determines the song of the year? By who? Who is making that determination.The songs in the legitimate industry that achieve success are commercial successes. That means millions of people "voting"for that song with their dollars, not some contest that one or a few people put up a web site and proclaim they are the "song of the year."


Pass on all of this stuff. Work on building fan base in your area. Get around other writers. Work your way up. Skip all the fly by night contests and rip offs.

If there is something from a legitimate orgainization with many members like NSAI, John Lennon, even here at JPF,and there are residual beneifts like trips to a music center, that can be worth the money and time.

But most of them are just a way to separate you from your money.

MAB

I feel left out since I didn't get the email, but I think R1NGG1T nails it.

Hey Ian,

After reading that report, ya got me thinking.... there's no contact information, and no physical street address, and no org or sponsors such as BMI, ASCAP, NSAI. Strange huh ?

Ok, if it's a scam, it's quite an elaborate one. Let's keep an open mind, and see what turns up on Google under "song of the year scam".....

First up is http://www.scam-check.com/ , a one page document, with no outward bound links, and again no contact info registered to......

IP Address 72.167.1.1
Address: 14455 N Hayden Road , Suite 226

City: Scottsdale

State/Province: AZ

Zip/Postal Code: 85260

Country: US - United States

Then, http://scam.songoftheyear.com/ , another "anti-scam" one page message, reveals........

IP: 72.167.232.155
Address: 14455 N Hayden Road , Suite 226

City: Scottsdale

State/Province: AZ

Zip/Postal Code: 85260

Country: US - United States

Then, we run www.songoftheyear.com , and it comes up......

IP Address 72.167.232.155

Address: 14455 N Hayden Road , Suite 226

City: Scottsdale

State/Province: AZ

Zip/Postal Code: 85260

Country: US - United States

Interesting. The song contest and the scam article both use the same ISP provider. Co-incidence maybe ? Perhaps. They both use godaddy.com as the host.

Then, we have your article where, supposodly, the contest is run from.....

3623 El James Dr
Spring Texas 77388
U.S.A.

By one Bryan Bryant. Here's a pretty pic . The supposed address of the supposed organiser, last sold for $150,750 in 2009. Not exactly a high flying property in the music game.

And another disgruntled punter..... http://www.ripoffreport.com/Liars/Song-Of-The-Year/songoftheyear-comsong-of-the-y-c52b7.htm

A Texas company running a contest using an Arizona server ( or subsiduary ) ?

Hmm, maybe......... There's absolutely no contact info, either physical or email, no phone number, no organisers, and no way to get in touch with them.


What does this say ? Should I send them my credit card details ? Um, I don't think so.

cheers, niteshift

PS - scam ( most probably ) or not, it's very well done.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Colin, you probably did not receiver the email because they know you are too smart.......


Tom

More interesting info........

The alleged ( or perhaps previous ? ) organiser, one "Bryan Bryant" aka one "Christian Alday" has supposodly won the "grand prize" in the John Lennon songwriting contest..... in 2004...

http://www.musiciansnews.com/singing/48/bryan_bryant_wins_john_lennon_songwriting_contest.shtml

Alas, the John Lennon site only lists a Bryan Bryant as a finalist in electronic...... and with the wrong song title.

http://www.jlsc.com/winners/2004/finalists.php

The grand prize winner was a band called Apollo 13. http://www.jlsc.com/winners/2004/winners.php

I do hope the information displayed is correct. ( If it isn't correct, I will correct it, post haste )

Perhaps the convener of the "song of the year" could clarify any misunderstandng or misinterpretation.

cheers, niteshift

I followed through on a whole heap of previous winners
and found that the winners seem to be genuine and are quite proud of winning.

This lady says she won the grand prize in the last contest.

http://www.beverlykruse.com/index.html


God Bless Roy and Helen

Hey Roy,

That ISP comes up as ....

98.124.252.69
Address: 15801 NE 24th Street

City: Bellevue

State/Province: WA

Zip/Postal Code: 98008

Country: US - United States

It's the address of a domain reseller... http://www.enom.com/aboutus.asp

Strange, once again, if you look closely at the site, there is no contact info, even through CD Baby.

Wouldn't an artist want to be contacted ? And after winning a prestigous prize ?

It's all sounding a bit anonymous.

cheers, niteshift

cheers, niteshift

What's worse, "Beverly Cruze", is mentioned on the "scam page" at http://www.scam-check.com/ , the page set up by the same folks who set up http://www.songoftheyear.com/

Do you notice one thing ? They only connect to each other. No independent incoming or outgoing links.

And the myspace page is for "friends only". What ? An artist with a private only page ?

Beverly's latest gig was at "The Yard" Where is that ? Was that the front yard ot the back yard ? Once again, no physical address, no advertising, and no "venue" as far as I can see.

Perhaps "Beverly' might like to give us the rundown.

cheers, niteshift

Yep I guess I may have lost my $30

That may be my bad decision this week.

On the other hand I also did something else that was amazingly lucky and a great decision.

So things even themselves out I guess.

At least I entered before this post appeared..

God Bless Roy and Helen

The John Lennon contest lists the winner of *each* category of music, in *each* session as the "Grand Prize Winner" (there are two sessions). So there are 24 "Grand Prize Winners" each year.

The winner between Session One and Session Two is the "Lennon Award" winner.

And of the twelve "Lennon Award" winners there is one "Song of the Year."

So.....technically he is right when he lists himself as a "Grand Prize Winner" but it implies he won the whole enchilada when he won only in that category for half the year.

Niteshift, Great investigative work. You'd make an excellent Private Eye.

EATING CROW
This forum has once again proved its worth. I actually entered this contest once, and "won" an honorable mention for "I've Brought You A Kiss". I recall getting the e-mail, and sent an e-mail back, complaining that they hadn't specified the genre I had "won" in. They actually eventually replied, noting that it was in the country category!!! This bozo pays attention to detail!
The irony here, is that this song got overwhelmingly positive responses when I posted it on both TAXI & JPF.
Well, it was a $30.00 lesson. I've had way more expensive lessons than that. My hat is off to Niteshift on this one. And also to Marc, who warned about this kind of stuff. The obvious question remains: Is there anyway to shut this turkey down? (appropriate question, just before Thanksgiving)
Ott
p.s. I also won on GASC & Billboard, hope they are legit. Marc?

Ott,

What are you wanting to shut down? Don't participate in them. Trust me, there will be a LOT of other people who do.

New York City has a lot of big buildings. Do they have amateur contest winners design and build them?

There are many motion pictures made a year. Does the winner of the amatuer production win an Oscar in the biggest money production?

There are Tons of scams out there that promise a lot for a little of nothing. The music business is a hard scrabble hypercompetitive business with millions of dollars at stake. It that going to be turned over to an amateur contest?

No.

They are contests. They are made for amateurs. They pray on dreams. Sometimes they give out some prizes and accolades. Sometimes there might be a trip. Sometimes you might meet some people that are really cool.

But you are NOT going to get rich, make a career or build a life around them.

Understand that going in, accept them for what they are and if you want to participate in them, do so. If you are tired of scams or overpromises, don't.

Billboard and GASC are as ligitamate as any of them. Still amateur contests. The rules are actually written to exclude professionals.

MAB

Marc:
It's actually "prey" on dreams, even if the dreamers are the ones doing the "praying". You're right, of course. What amazed me about this scam is the number of years it's been going on. I'll repeat one of my original premises: when you're first starting in this business, you look for every bit of credibility you can get. It takes a while, and advice such as yours, to realize that "contests" are ephemeral rewards. Gotta admit I enjoyed the ego boost at the time. Still learning.
Ott

Ott,

Sorry.Been online about 14 hours today and getting ready to drive to Alabama. You are right.
But the cphemeral rewards are really all they are. I like the word.

And it happens to all of us. In the contest I was involved in, the Rock to Riches National talent search, we all thought we were going to be stars too. There is no shame in it, we all do things to get credibility.

But the real credibility comes from getting out there and working a lot.

So just take it as a lesson and don't worry about it.

MAB

If anyone from Texas would like to contact these guys directly, and give us the scoop, their contact details are.....

Song of the Year
21175 Tomball Parkway Suite 242, Houston, TX 77070
(713) 468-3492; (800) 440-1683
Renee Schafer, Marketing Director
Pop, Rock
Miscellaneous — Song Contest • Artist management • Publicists

PS - yes, I have too much time on my hands. LOL

Hey Niteshift, great detective work man! Thanks for the heads up; if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

And if Marc says this one is a scam, that's good enough for me.

For legitimate song contests, take a look at ASCAP's list of song contests: http://www.ascap.com/resource/resource-10.html

I think songwriting teacher Jason Blume said it best in his books: songwriting contests are one of the ways but should not be the only way you use to promote your songs. As an unknown songwriter trying to get a cut on radio/TV, he advises to use EVERY possible channel available to you (budget-willing). The main problem is finding out which channels are legitimate and which are frauds--and for this, I'm grateful for communities like JPF.

By the way, the Songdoor contest has Jason Blume as one of the judges, and you get a SongU course as part of the $10 registration fee. I think this is a good deal. And if you win, you get a one song publishing deal!

Hey Ian,

Yeah, looks a little too good to be true, but who knows ? At least with Jason Blume, you know who he is, and how to contact him. Jason was out this way, only a couple of months ago. I had the oppertunity to attend the Australian Songwtiers' Conference as a volunteer meet and greet person, in exchange for the conference fee. ( Thanks for the invite Lisa, it was most appreciated ) but couldn't make it time wise. That was a damn shame. Reckon I could have learnt more in 3 days, than in 3 years, flying solo.

Regarding the reference from Beverly Kruze, her website is run by.....

Administrative Contact:
Kruse Music
Adam Kruse ( bevkruzemusic@gmail.com )
+1.8054166637
Fax: +1.8054166637
BOX 71812
Santa Ana, CA 8054166637
US

There's nothing like checking a reference...... if it's genuine one, that is. Did anyone submit from CA ?

cheers, niteshift

Hi Geoff, just too many red flags for me. Your research convinced me this is a scam. I'm definitely staying away from this one, and will stick to the songwriting contests that ASCAP approves of.

Thanks again :-) ian

No worries Ian, write on !

I've gotta admit, it's very well done. Almost too perfect. And I would probably enter, without checking, if I entered song contests. Well heck, they're famous people right ? Must be legit.

And finally after digging in the internet garbage heap, contact details for the infamous Christian Alday, or is it Bryan Bryant ? From 2006, however.......

Song of the Year
P.O. Box 37444, Houston, TX 77237
(713) 468-3492; support@songoftheyear.com
Christian Alday

So, what's the reationship between Renee Schafer, Marketing Director and Christian Alday, the previously listed known contact for "Song of the Year".

The plot thickens. Woaaaahaaaahaaaaahaaaaaa.........

cheers, niteshift

Bingo ! It's a match ! Ms Schafer and Mr Alday have the same listed telephone number.

cheers, niteshift

And finally, Mr Bryant/Aldy has been a busy lad, according to the Harris County Clerk, under listings of "assumed names"......

File Number Business Name and Address Owner Name(s) and Address(es) Status
Type
Date YYYYMMDD Term Pgs Film Code
B397736 NATIONAL PET FOUNDATION
Po Box 37444
Houston TX 77237 Bryant Bryan
11706 Emerald Hill #B
Houston TX 77070


20060419 10 1 237880663
B397737 WORLD ONE PRODUCTIONS
Po Box 37444
Houston TX 77237 Bryant Bryan
11706 Emerald Hill #B
Houston TX 77070


20060419 10 1 237880664
B397738 WORLD PET CONTEST
Po Box 37444
Houston TX 77237 Bryant Bryan
11706 Emerald Hill #B
Houston TX 77070


20060419 10 1 237880665
B397739 WORLD MUSIC PRODUCTIONS
Po Box 37444
Houston TX 77237 Bryant Bryan
11706 Emerald Hill #B
Houston TX 77070


20060419 10 1 237880666
B397740 ONE STAR PRODUCTIONS
Po Box 37444
Houston TX 77237 Bryant Bryan
11706 Emerald Hill #B
Houston TX 77070


20060419 10 1 237880667
B397741 SONG STOP
Po Box 37444
Houston TX 77237 Bryant Bryan
11706 Emerald Hill #B
Houston TX 77070


20060419 10 1 237880668
V31394 LOST STAR
10734 Norchester Village
Houston TX 77070 Bryant Bryan
10734 Norchester Village
Houston TX 77070


20010628 10 1 230930580
V31395 PSYCHIC STREET
10734 Norchester Village
Houston TX 77070 Bryant Bryan
10734 Norchester Village
Houston TX 77070


20010628 10 1 230930581
V4539 AMORE MINISTRIES
P O Box 692288
Houston TX 772692288 Bryant Bryan
11706 Emerald Hill #B
Houston TX 77070
Expired

19950417 10 1 223820719
V4540 MORAL FASHION MINISTRIES
P O Box 692288
Houston TX 772692288 Bryant Bryan
11706 Emerald Hill #B
Houston TX 77070
Expired

19950417 10 1 223820720
B341951 SONG OF THE YEAR
P.O. Box 37444
Houston TX 77237 Bryant Bryan Emerson
11706 Emerald Hill #B
Houston TX 77070

So, if you ever come across a song loving, christian clothes wearing, lovelorn, pet worshiping, phychic, world music producer with a gleam in his eye, ... well, I guess you may want to ask him a few questions.

cheers, niteshift

Niteshift:

You do know how to rub salt in my wounds.. lol

I'm still smarting from the last time you hammered me and I still aint got a guitar. If I win one, do you want it.

Seriously I am so glad that I don't owe you money haha.

Good job you done here

I see he does a pet comp. WOW I may enter my goldfish...

$30 sounds fair for the chance to win an award.

God Bless Roy and Helen

Niteshift,

You are quite the internet investigator. CSI? FBI? MI6?

Hey Roy,

You're Ok mate, you're a kind fellow, and I'd just like to see you spend your money on better things. Towards a demo, or something you can use in making music etc. Good luck with the goldfish, he may be your big payday.

Hey Colin, sorry, none of the above. Just a wandering mind, but if you'd care to provide the Astom Martin, a dinner suit, and a case of Cinzano and Gin, I'll see what I can do. I just have a total hatred of those that beat up on songwriters and take their money. Heck, we're already at the bottom of the barrel. It's kinda like kicking an old lady and stealing her purse.

cheers, niteshift

Niteshift!
Columbo's got nothing on you! You've unearthed a modern day grifter/con artist. This thread has actually gotten entertaining, due to your efforts. Now all you need is to find a pic of this guy.
Ott

A con artist who is, alas, 30 dollars richer because of me. Oh, well...

Joe

Gang,

It almost makes me want to vomit to imagine any of you sending money to those folks...

YAK...

Brian

A big hi,


WELL THIS AUSSIE GIRL IS SHATTERED, I paid out the $30 and entered Stan/Rodney, and my song "I'm Over it/I'm Over you".

ALL THE BIG STARS ARE ON IT, Where's TAYLOR SWIFT? I thought it had to be honest if her face is amongst the pictures.

Hmm, I know a well known artist here, so I'm going to write to her, and attach the link, I reckon she can contact Taylor Swift, to see what she says about it hah.

I will be back when I can find out more information, I don't know how long it will take.

Sad Aussie, Michele

Michele and those who submitted--really sorry you got hurt by this scammer. Scum like this will always exist and it's up to us to weed them out and make sure they can't hurt other people.

If you entered this scam contest, then please report it to the US Better Business Bureau. You won't get your money back but you can hurt the scammer's wallet.

Here's a post at Songwriter101 that further confirms our suspicions.

Also, if you go to the songoftheyear.net/.com website today, you find that the LIST OF JUDGES has mysteriously disappeared. Here's the Google cached page of the judges (in PDF format), most likely all fake photos and identities.

Also, note the WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT DATE: 31st December. Yah, right. Closing date is Nov 24 and it only takes them A MONTH to get through judging the *thousands and thousands* of contest entries they received?

Here is the spam email they used to market their scam:
==================================

Song and Lyric writing judges
Randy Jackson, Faith Hill, Steven Tyler, Alicia Keys, and Toby Keith

Song & Lyric writers reviewed by guest judges
The new guest judges will select their favorite song and lyric writers in the Song of the Year songwriting competition. Your final chance to enter is November 24th. Enter today at http://www.songoftheyear.net.

Your material sent to Record Labels and Music Publishers
The top 50 songs (5 songs from each of 10 categories) get sent to record labels, music publishers, managers, booking agents, and more! Song of the Year has many music resources who are always excited to review the top songwriters in the contest for further consideration.

Receive a MTV quality video of Your Song

One songwriter from the Song of the Year songwriting competition will receive a professional video. The song that will be used in the video will be selected by Song of the Year. The songwriter will have access to the same studios where many of the videos you have seen on T V have been shot. (http://www.songoftheyear.net)

Need holiday songs for radio airplay

All holiday themed songs submitted into the songwriting contest will be forwarded to radio stations for airplay consideration this holiday season. This opportunity is for ALL entries submitted into the contest regardless of whether you place in the contest or not.

The deadline for all of these opportunities is November 24, 2010


Your Songwriting Connection
==================================

Many thanks to Niteshift for unmasking this SCUMBAG.

For legitimate song contests, take a look at ASCAP's list of songwriting contests: http://www.ascap.com/resource/resource-10.html

Niteshift - great work ---- I love the FASHION MINISTRIES one ---

I bet that is a good one.

Seriously you all - email the Texas Attorney General if you paid money to him.

Tom

OK We have established that this and a number of other sites are possible scams or at least just out to make a fast buck at the expense of wannabe songwriters.
I did a search of some of the prize winners and I did find links to most of the artists.....some listed winning the competition under their achievments....so it could be a legit comp from a legal point of view...that said most of the people seem to me to be too professional and established to enter such a comp. Most have record deals and their own web sites. Could they be ringers?

Hey Ian,

You're right, the "judges" have disappeared, along with "success stories".

Is someone trying to cover their tracks ? Too bad Google has copies of the pages.

cheers, niteshift

PS - sorry to those who handed over their money. I can almost gaurentee however, that you will recieve an email with a "Honerable Mention Web Award" link.

DON"T post it on your website, it just adds to the thousands of links which places songoftheyear.com at the top of Googles rankings.

hey Ot,

Here's a pic of "Bryan Bryant" from 2004 in the John Lennon contest http://www.jlsc.com/winners/2004/finalists.php



cheers, niteshift

Nightshift!
You are truly amazing! But I'll bet the pic is bogus as well.
Ott

Usually the truth comes out.

I don't want to say things are a "scam" as much as they overpromise.And if you think about it, it is pretty easy to figure out. Anything in the music industry takes time,money and contacts. It takes years to build up and is very hard no matter what you think.

To think you can just send in $30 and become a star is nonsense on it's face. Some of the people who participate and even win may list them on a resume', never hurts.

But the people who are legitimate who might be listed on these kinds of sites are usually six degrees of separation. They might have tried it years ago, they might have a cowriter or friend who has worked with them (I have been entered and won several contests I didn't even know existed) and it might be just wishful thinking.

The average songwriter enters about three-four of these a year. That is ninty dollars.then they are usually spending a couple of hundred on demos on each song. So before you know it you are spending a couple grand on things that went no where.

If they would take that same money, come work with me, or other events like NSAI or city wide songwriter events,they would meet people, start relationships and get farther along the way.

It is all about alocation of resources.

MAB

Byron Gallimore moved to Nashville after winning a song contest. He is producer for Tim and Faith. If one writer out of 1,000 makes money from writing, you have better odds at making money off songwriting by entering a contest. If you want to do it, do it. It's good for your ego if you place and who knows, you could get some moolah and connections. I think most of them are rigged though.

Sausage,

A lot of us have entered contests. Byron moved after making tons of trips, knowing tons of people and years of preparation. The contest had nothing to do with it. That was just one more thing.

That is the point of all of this.Contests are a very very very small minority of things that create a career. I was in a contest with Jon Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister too. The contest had absolutley nothing to do with their success.

It is kind of like saying, "yes, I sang a song on a Karaoke night too" that doesn't make you a singer.

The music has no lightning strikes. There is not one thing that makes a career all fall into place. There are "pivot points" that help it along but a lot of non aligned dots all have to connect.

My problems with every single contest, American Idol included is that they set themselves up to be the pivot point to end all pivot points. And they are not.

Carrie Underwood won American Idol. But what made her career was the fact that she went into country and not pop, like most everyone else does. She had a ton of talent on the ball and attracted an enormous amount of people to her, from writers, managers, promotion people.

Contests can be a good tool to use, most are very temporary and forgotten as soon as they are over. They should be looked at just like that. A nice pat on the back, nice prizes sometime, a newspaper article. It might crack a door, it never knocks it off the hinges.

MAB

I got the same email and it's great to hear all these thoughts about it....great info! Thanks!

I'll say this for the one thousandth time because it's a truth you need to know.

Nobody who can make you a HIT ever contacts you. This is the case 99% of the time. They never look for you or call you or email you or mail deals to your house.

You can not even reach those who could if you were armed and threatening. Most of the times people who can "really" even help you look for you. They look for your money.

However with the internet and things like you tube there is a slight chance someone could reach out to you for some reason.
"hey we saw your video and loved it, we think it's perfect for out commercial" etc... and you got 2 million hits and 10 thousand comments to boot.

Keep this in mind and you can never be scammed EVER!

As long as there are gullible people out there.....there springs up industries to get them to part with their money.
Sometimes there is a very fine line between legal and ethical.
I have no problem with people offering their services for money...heck I do that myself.

I would just want to make sure that anyone offering to promote artists or provide musical services.....

1. Actually have a decent proper service to offer
2. The service is worth the money they ask.

Too many people jump in and part with their money before checking on either of these two simple things.

Vain, greedy, gullible, egotistic, delusional, stupid people make very easy targets for con men.

Sadly songwriters and performers in the main qualify as those types of folk...... so not to look a gift horse in the mouth even some legit businesses milk them.

But not everyone is looking for a career. Especially a Bon Jovi or Twisted Sister level career. Some people just want to feel good, get recognition, and be happy.

It's kind of like the American Songwriter contest we talked about a while back. I entered once and didn't even get an honorable mention. I can't understand their criteria and disagree with most of their choices but it would have felt good to win.

I know there are people who would see winning any contest as a validation of their superb songwriting skill, just as some people believe the "You won the Microsoft lottery" type e-mails. Some people just want to feel good though. I know too Byron Gallimore is the exception, not the rule.