CONGRATULATIONS to Emily Strand, one of 12 Grand Prize Winners in the 2004 John Lennon Songwriting Competition.  Strand won the top prize in the Folk category for her original song "Lou", which appears on her 2004 independent release, Delay in the Connection.  Strand's winnings include $5000 in Yamaha Studio equipment, a $5000 advance on a single-song publishing contract from EMI Music Publishing, $200 gift certificate to Musician's Friend, and 1000 custom CDs courtesy of Disc Makers.  "Lou" is still in the running for the Maxell Song of the Year award of $20,000 cash, to be awarded in July.
 
Visit the John Lennon Songwriting Competition official website and listen to "Lou":  http://www.jlsc.com/content_new.html.