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Entries are now open for the third annual Christie Hennessy Song Contest which takes place in memory of one of Tralee’s most famous musical sons. Songwriters are invited to submit their entry to IMRO before the deadline of Friday, 6th September.
Ten finalists will be selected to perform their song at the live final of the contest on Saturday, 19th October in the Carlton Hotel, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Born in Tralee, Co. Kerry, Christie Hennessy was the youngest of nine children and grew up in a very musical household. His influences ranged from Elvis, Al Jolson, Bill Haley, Fats Domino, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt to The Beatles and all types of musicals.
At 15, Christie went to work on building sites in London by day and played in the R&B clubs by night, writing his first song at the age of 23. He released his first album “Christie Hennessy” (also known as “The Green Album”) in 1972, “The Rehearsal” 1992 (triple platinum), “A Year In The Life” 1993 (quadruple platinum), “Lord of Your Eyes” 1994 (triple platinum), “The Box” 1996 (triple platinum), “This Is As Far As I Go” 1999 (double platinum), “The Definitive Christie Hennessy” 2003, “Stories For Sale” 2005, “The Platinum Collection” 2007.
Christie’s songs became hits for many artists including Christy Moore (“Don’t Forget Your Shovel”), Frances Black (“All The Lies That You Told Me”), Moya Brennan (“Oh Jealous Heart”) and Nizlopi, who reached Christmas Number 1 in UK and Ireland in 2005 with their hit “JCB Song”, sampling Christie’s lyrics from “Don’t Forget Your Shovel”.
Christie composed music for the BBC TV series “Get Well Soon” written by Ray Galton (“Steptoe & Son”) and composed and wrote a musical/feature film about his native Ireland “Two Stops to Paradise”. As well as writing, Christie produced two of his own albums with Steve Nye, “The Box” and “This Is As Far As I Go”. He solo produced Aled Jones’ album “Whenever God Shines His Light”.
Christie was the Patron to the Irish charity “Children in Crossfire”, with a special focus on schools literacy programmes after experiencing his own literacy difficulties at school. Following a trip to Kenya with the charity in 2006 and after spending time in the different villages with the children, Christie wrote a song “A Price For Love”. He thought it was important that the lyrics came from what the children would say to us all if they could. All royalties from this single are being donated to the charity in perpetuity. You can find out more about “Children in Crossfire” on their website
CHRISTIE HENNESSY SONG CONTEST
RULES OF ENTRY
1. The lyrics and music must be the original work of the songwriter (s).
2. The contest is open to all types of song, in any style – ballad, country, pop, rock etc.
3. Songs may be entered in either the English or Irish language.
4. The Contest is open to national and international songwriters.
5. Songwriters may only enter one song for consideration.
6. Entries will not be returned – all songwriters should retain a copy of their song submission.
7. Entries can be submitted on a CD or via an online link to your song to membership@nullimro.ie. (NOTE: Please do not email MP3s). All entries must be accompanied by a copy of the lyrics; typed or clearly written.
8. A commercial recording of the entry must not be released for sale before Saturday 19th October 2013.
9. Finalists will be notified by 1st October 2013.
10. The provisional adjudication will be on the basis of the CDs/tracks submitted, from which 10 finalists will be chosen.
11. Each of the 10 finalists will be invited to take part in a live concert in Tralee on Saturday 19th October 2013. Backing tracks are not permitted for this performance.
12. Each songwriter will be responsible for providing the singer and/or group for his/her entry in the final at his/her own expense.
13. A first prize of €1,000 will be presented to the winning songwriter on the night of the final.
14. Final adjudication will be on the night of the final. Decisions of the adjudication panel will be final.
15. Entry for the contest implies acceptance of all the rules.
16. Postal entries should be sent to:
Christie Hennessy Song Contest
C/o Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO)
Copyright House
Pembroke Row
Lower Baggot Street
Dublin 2
Ireland
Please include your name, address, phone number and email address with your entry.
17. CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES:
6th September 2013.
For enquiries contact: membership@nullimro.ie
The Christie Hennessy Song Contest is supported by IMRO, Tralee Chamber Alliance, Radio Kerry, Kerry’s Eye, Tralee Advertiser, The Troubadour Club & The Carlton Hotel
“Since we won The Christie Hennessy Song Contest in 2012 we are both delighted to have received some radio play for our song Follow The Water, we’ve also had a live video made for the song and have now both returned to finish our solo projects since then. Christine’s album “Inspired By You” is now available and Enda’s Irish language album is nearing completion. Thanks again to the organisers, it was a great event!”
Enda Reilly & Christine Deady – 2012 Contest Winners
Video Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEsE8IAoLT4
http://christinedeady.bandcamp.com/
http://www.endareilly.com/
Singer/songwriter Alan Kavanagh from Ashbourne, Co. Meath was crowned winner of the prestigious IMRO Christie Hennessy Song Contest 2013 on Saturday night in Tralee, Co Kerry with his winning song “Bitter Man”.
