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Our International Adjudicators from ‘around the world’ are honoured to hear your music.

Our Adjudicators, are top-notch experts in the industry of Music Producers, Label Owners, Professional Songwriters, and Promoters who will provide mentorship feedback.

Meet Our Music Adjudicators

Thomas Wade

Thomas Wade

Michael Hanson Music Producer

Michael Hanson

Cussy Nicodemo

Cussy Nicodemo

Paul Milner

Paul Milner

Michael Williams, producer

Michael Williams

Alan Roy Scott

Alan Roy Scott

Genres: Country, Country Blues, Country Folk, Country Alternative, Blues, Soul, Pop, Jazz

Born and raised in Burford, Ontario, with Haggard and Jones in his
blood, Thomas Wade is a true Canadian county original. Chalking up
3 Juno nominations and 7 CCMA awards, he was a fixture on
Canadian radio and CMT throughout the 90s.

As the lead singer of Thomas Wade & Wayward and as a solo artist,
Thomas’ hits included ‘Lyin’ Here With You’, ‘Zero to Sixty’ and
‘Running Away With You’, bringing an early rock and roll edge to the
country scene, long before such a thing became the norm. An
accomplished songwriter and producer, Thomas wrote for many other
artists too, including Bobby Wills, Beverley Mahood, and Celine
Dion.

His journey has not been a straight line, however. Diagnosed in 2006
with an incurable neurological disease, and unable to sing, he began
to draw on another early influence: the music of Kay Starr, Peggy Lee,
and other 50’s Pop/Jazz artists. Writing for Jazz artists such as Tim
Louis, and putting together a touring review of the great female pop
and jazz artists of all time,The Covergirlz, Thomas has constantly
focused on broadening his musical landscape.

As if that wasn’t plenty of experience, as he began to work toward
healing, he wrote the book, Singing In My Sleep to share the
knowledge he gained in regaining his voice.
Thomas released the album Blue Country Soul in 2017 and
continues to write, produce, and perform.

Genres: Alternative Rock, Heavy Rock, Folk, Alternative, Dance/Pop, R&B

Michael Hanson was the founder, drummer, songwriter and a pivotal original member of the Capitol EMI Records band GLASS TIGER from 1985 to 1990. He moved on from EMI / Screen Gems and was signed by Warner/Chappell Music Publishing as a staff songwriter in 1990.  He has received a number of top music industry awards and accolades worldwide including 5 Juno Awards, a Grammy Nomination, and Gold & Platinum sales globally as well as multiple songwriting awards.

Previously Hanson toured alongside Journey, Tina Turner and the Moody Blues. In the USA alone he has toured and written with a long list of A-listers including John Bettis (Madonna), Sue Siffron & Susan Pomerantz (Cher, Chicago), Brad Buxer (Michael Jackson), Scott Humphries (Rob Zombie).

Now working with and developing new artists (while residing and operating in his LOGIC-based digital studio in Sharon Ontario) he is considered to be among the elite as a renowned, multi-talented Producer / Songwriter / hook specialist in multiple music genres (including pop, rock, R&B, country, folk, alt rock and heavy rock).

Enjoying celebrity status and remaining in the public eye, he has been writing and recording at Altravox Studios for a steady stream of new young artists over 20 years. Hanson is well known for providing pro-level, highly creative musicianship on guitars, drums, bass and piano (as well as programming MIDI with the latest software). The prime directive for Hanson is to be “a vehicle for the artist’s vision” …. to inspire & assist singers to strive for new heights while also arranging uniquely complex contemporary vocal melodies, hooks & harmonies with full artist involvement.

Altravox Studios continues to supply a rare ‘one-stop-shop’ for Songwriting, Recording, Production and additional follow-up on global music release platforms through the newly established Radar Love Records – which offers distribution and guidance in navigating the music business.

“Michael Hanson is one of Canada’s most prolific songwriters” – Kim Mitchell

Genres: Dance, Electronica, EDM, Garage, Grunge, Instrumental, Latin, MOR, New Age,  Punk, Rap, Techno, Pop, Soul

Cussy Nicodemo is President and Founder of Dance Plant Records/Les Disque Dance Plant Inc./Cussy Music Publishing, Montreal, Quebec.

Cussy is foremost an artist himself (Fussy Cussy) but he is also an author/composer/arranger and Producer of many songs in the Dance Plant repertoire. He has received accreditation from Dallas Songwriters Association in 1992, Received 2 Gold records with Aquarius & K-Tel for “La Vita” and “Disco Kings” Between 1970-1980 he was televised on “Jeunesse d’Aujoud’hui”, “Feel like Dancing”, “Telethon of Stars”, Much Music, Musique Plus, Dance Party USA, and toured for 3 months at El Festival in Puerto Rico, The Montreal Forum with Santana, El Mocombo and many more.

Cussy (Fussy Cussy) has also opened for “The Village People”, “Santana” and “Mahogany Rush”. He is a member of MCPS, SOCAN and ASCAP.

Cussy has been teaching music for the past 20 years for Commission Scholaire de la Point de I’lle (Adult education).

Genres: Blues, Reggae, Calypso, FUNK, Blue Grass, Rock Pop, Indigenous, Classical

For 40 years Paul has worked in the music industry with credits on over 500 recordings as a freelance record producer/engineer/mixer and mastering engineer.

Paul has worked alongside some of the best names in the music industry, in some of the world’s top recording studios on both major and indie projects. These projects have sold over 21 million copies worldwide with artists such as Eddy Grant, Keith Richards (Rolling Stones), Miki Imai. Glass Tiger, Queensryche, Men Without Hats, Sting, Matt Andersen, Headstones, Anne Murray, Robert Palmer, Rush, Northern Pikes, Randy Waldman Trio, Larry
Norman. Paul’s work has won numerous music industry awards and nominations, Juno’s, gold and platinum certifications in the US, Canada, Europe, UK and Japan, a SOCAN #1 song award, GMA Covenant award several ECMA awards with recordings for Matt Andersen (Blues Recording), The Saddle River Stringband (Bluegrass Recording) and Paper Lions (Pop Recording), countless regional music awards including several ADISQ awards for French projects and Canadian Aboriginal Music awards.

Paul has also run record labels, distributing projects globally, his label TLG The Label Group signed 20 + Artists and distributed to 25 territories. Paul worked in A&R, established his publishing company 30 years ago with international partners.

Genres: Hip/Hop, Rap, Rock and Pop, Funk/Garage, Raggae, Afro-Fusion Blues, Gospel, Jazz, Classical

Michael has an extensive history in the history of Hip/Hop, Rock and Pop genres and is a much-in-demand panelist and host.

Micheal has worked with many artists, including The Nylons Live to Love, (Juno Nominated), Cirque du Soleil- Algeria (contractor ), Stevie Wonder (edit), Star Search ( Mix), Billy Newton-Davis, LMT Connection (produced, mixed) the R&R Soul Orchestra voice, Jackie Mittoo, Willii Williams, Chris Hall, Arvo Lepp, Herb Alpert, Dougie Richardson, Washington Savage, Club 980 Rap Sessions CKGM Montreal…!

A dynamic, talented producer and host of talk radio and music-related radio and television programs. Michael appears frequently on Toronto’s TV news networks and radio, sitting in as a guest host for Newstalk1010 radio talk shows. Famous for hosting the popular Soul in the City series for MuchMusic, which was syndicated in 19 European countries and Japan, The Power Hour and Electric Circus, also on the MuchMusic TV network. Michael has interviewed politicians, newsmakers and international recording artists and filmmakers including Stevie Wonder, Whitney Huston, Quincy Jones, Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, and Mark Wahlberg.
Michael has an extensive history in the history of Hip/Hop, Rock and Pop genres and is a much-in-demand panelist and host.

Genres: Hot AC, Pop, R&B, World, Dance, Rock

As a professional songwriter for over 40 years, his songs have been recorded by Celine Dion, Luther Vandross, Notorious B.I.G., Gloria Estefan, Cyndi Lauper, Patti LaBelle, Neville Bros. Roberta Flack, Cher, Jason Gould, El DeBarge, Tiffany, Patti Austin, The Spinners, Rick Springfield, Martika, Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Martin, Anne Murray, Johnny Mathis, Pointer Sisters, Sheena Easton, Jason Gould, and Ray Charles among many. His work also has been featured in Films and TV shows such as “Top Gun,” “First Wives Club,” “Coming To America,” “Falling Inn Love”(Netflix),” “Redline,” “Karate Kid III,” “Summer School,” “Fame,” “Fame/ LA,” “Sons of Anarchy,” “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” “Cruel Summer (WB),” “Santa Barbara,” “Guiding Light,” “Melrose Place,” & “Beverly Hills 90210” among others. Internationally key releases include Coco Lee, Hannah Boel, Edyta Gorniak, Clouseau, Paul Johnson, Rene Froger, Carola, & Tommy Nilsson.

He has been a private songwriting coach for more than 20 years, and has taught classes and has led workshops and seminars domestically through UCLA Extension, The Songwriting School of Los Angeles, Musician’s Institute, Songu.com, ASCAP, as well as the “Grammy-In-The-Schools” program for the Los Angeles Chapter of NARAS. Internationally, he has taught songwriting and music workshops in Australia (through APRA & ASC), Ireland (through IMRO), Finland through LAFO, and Denmark (through KODA) among others.

Alan attended the prestigious Boston Conservatory of Music majoring in Music Composition. He has won top prizes in the John Lennon Song Contest, The American Song Festival, and numerous awards in International Music Festivals around the world, competing as composer and/or artist, representing the USA.

Meet Our Road Ready, Press Ready & Grant Ready Adjudicators

Bara Jonson, Free

Jonas Tancred

Malin Osth

Lisa Nasta

Lisa Nasta

Ryan Farley

Ryan Farley

Malin Osth and Jonas Tancred, Bara Jonson and Free

This duo has been performing for many years as Bara Jonson and Free, with global success in Europe and internationally, having performed at MIDEM in Cannes, France, the largest North American Festival in the world, Summerfest in the USA, and garnering a nomination at Toronto, Canada’s Indie Week as Best International Artists.

Their experiences led them to create Lilla By Festivalen in the South of Sweden to provide opportunities to other artists to showcase on an international level.

Malin Osth has been involved in the music industry for decades, both as an artist and most recently as co-founder and producer of Lilla By Festivalen, a hybrid family festival now entering its fourth year. Malin and Jonas have added a second music festival to their events, with an offshoot of Lilla By Festivalen, Music Days which is usually produced during the year prior to Lilla By Festivalen.

Jonas Tancred, co-founder and producer of Lilla By Festivalen, started his music career in the early 80s as a singer, guitarist, and songwriter and continues to pursue his musical career today.

As adjudicators, they can assist in guiding to make the artists road ready to travel, as their background and empathy will provide vital information to making that experience a success.

Lisa Nasta boasts extensive expertise as an event manager and programmer, adept at orchestrating seamless experiences. She is the driving force behind Re-Play Music C.I.C, a non-profit initiative dedicated to providing musical instruments to children, fostering musical education.

Impressively, her efforts have earned the project two Music Industry Awards for its commitment to environmental initiatives and sustainability and is a permanent fixture at Glastonbury Kidz Field.

A Certified Luthier, previous director of Surrey Strings Acoustic Instrument Specialist Music store in London, where she caught the festival bug, organizing lunchtime gigs as part of London’s bandstand revival project. Over 200 bands and artists rocked out under her watch every year!

During her tenure, she laid the groundwork for her festival planning expertise.

Presently, Lisa serves as an area coordinator and production manager at Green Futures Field at Glastonbury, while also contributing her programming and production acumen to several other festivals. Her dedication to fostering musical talent and enriching community experiences underscores her multifaceted contributions to the industry.

Ryan Farley, is an entertainment consultant specializing in grant writing and music coordination who founded his company, Hubris Entertainment Inc., in 2022. Serving a wide variety of artists and music businesses he acts as the team member you didn’t know you needed.

He started in the music industry in 2014, acting as a road manager on a cross country hip hop tour. It was there he found the spark that would inspire a new career path and took a deep dive into gaining knowledge about grants, music publishing, copyright law, and sync licensing.

Today he works with artists of all genres and styles. As a grant writer Ryan has helped many artists navigate the funding opportunities available to them, assisting in rece grants from federal, provincial, and regional grant organizations, including  FACTOR and Canada Council for the Arts, In 2023 he developed a strategic partnership with Los Angeles based boutique sync & music supervision house A Matter of Music, working both on films in their music departments and as sync agents pitching music for major productions. In 2024 Ryan was invited to join EMG Collectives as their official grant writer.

The Music Adjudication Process

An evaluation of your music creation is a part of the process of going to the next phase with your talent. It is an opportunity to identify areas for improvement and evolve as a musician.

What it means for you…
An opportunity to have your original music adjudicated provides you with written comments and guidance from music industry professionals to develop your talent.

How it happens…
Once you have submitted and paid for your adjudication you will upload your video to our portal where the adjudicators can access it.

The finals…
The adjudicators will adjudicate every entry we receive and as a group will choose the winning finalists.

Benefits of Music Adjudication.

Our Adjudicators are experienced professionals in the Music industry with the expertise to provide feedback and guidance to inspire and educate.

Integrity, being honest and impartial is a key characteristic of an effective Adjudicator.

The Criteria

The adjudicators will critique, providing an evaluation for each submission based on the following criteria:

Unique Style, Creativity & Originality
Melody & Lyrics (if your song does not have lyrics, only the melody will receive feedback)
Arrangement
Overall likeability
Potential to be a hit!
Industry Ready
Media Ready
Radio Friendly

The work of an adjudicator will inspire and educate singers/songwriters and performers.

Adjudicators will provide written comments with
compliments on your strengths,
constructive criticism of your weaknesses
and recommendations toward correction or action.

The constructive criticism given by adjudicators is valuable feedback that will help you improve your music and be the catalyst for progress and success.

Songwriter Adjudicators are well-connected with Recording Engineers, Music Producers, Recording Artists, and Managers.