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Songwriting University Competition Winner Awarded $10,000 Grand Prize

August 6, 2020/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Pictured: Billy Sprague, Joe Beck, Michael Blanton, Winner Colin Matchack, Tony Brown and Gary Glover

Songwriting University recently concluded their first of many international songwriting competitions with entries from hundreds of songwriters all over the world. On July 31, finalist Colin Matchack was invited to the Songwriting University office to discuss a potential development deal with the company. He was also surprised with a $10,000 grand prize in the form of a giant check during his visit. A 21-year-old aspiring singer-songwriter, Matchack currently lives in Ooltewah, Tennessee, and entered 14 songs into the competition.

The 15 finalists were chosen by Songwriting University founders Michael Blanton, Gary Glover, Billy Sprague, and Joe Beck, along with celebrity guest judges songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick and producer Tony Brown.

“When we first started developing Songwriting University three years ago, the goal was to foster and develop the next generation of songwriters,” says SU co-founder Gary Glover. “Finding this talented young writer through this competition is the culmination of 3 years of work and development, it’s why we started the company.”

“Thank you, this means so much,” said Matchack. “I didn’t go to college, I chose music and I don’t have a degree, but it feels like I do now. A degree from Songwriting University.”

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Lorie Hollabaugh
Lorie Hollabaugh
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.
Lorie Hollabaugh
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