Untitled Document

POSITIVE POP SONG CONTEST
WINNERS

Own all 15 of the 2005 winning songs!
Download the compilation album digitally* here for $9.95 using Paypal:

*This is a 49MB file, only recommended for fast inernet connections.

2005 GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Rob Meany "Outrunning Headlights"

ABOUT THE WRITER
Rob Meany is a singer/songwriter from Minneapolis and is primarily known as the driving force behind the band, Terramara, a pop/rock group he formed in 1998. Rob spent his formative years learning to play piano, guitar, bass and french horn in Duluth, Minnesota. He also studied music at St. Olaf College, participating in jazz band, choir, and music composition courses. It wasn't until a few years after college that he began to write pop songs and explore a career in music. His band, Terramara, for which he is the lead singer, songwriter, and keyboardist, has released two CDs, a self-titled one in 2000, and the latest offering, Four Blocks To Hennepin in 2005. The new CD contains the song "Outrunning Headlights", the grand prize winner of the Positive Pop Song Contest.

In his writing for Terramara, Rob has been dedicated to smart, catchy songcraft, sophisticated arrangements, and infusing its pop-rock sound with jazzy harmonies and soulful R&B stylings. Critics have uniformly compared them with Steely Dan, and often with such rock giants as Sting and The Police, XTC, and Joe Jackson. The band has received several awards, most recently in the WB Minnesota's "Strictly Original" New Music Competition, where Terramara was selected as the winner by audience vote and a panel of industry judges from hundreds of submissions in this locally televised competition. In 2003, Terramara was recognized as one of top 15 artist in the midwest by DiscMakers (IMWS), and was a top ten finalist in NARAS (Grammys) & ASCAP Demo Review Panel & Contest held in Minneapolis.
Rob is also a freelance composer/arranger, writing music for radio and TV commercials. Besides performing with Terramara, Rob is also a professional pianist specializing in jazz and popular music, and a piano teacher.

ABOUT THE SONG
Recorded simply with piano and vocals, Outrunning Headlights is a song about the regret of missed opportunities as one grows older, but carries a hopeful message for the future. If someone is "outrunning headlights" it means they are driving so fast at night that if something should appear in range of their car's headlights, they wouldn't have time to react or change course. It's a metaphor for how quickly life seems to pass, and how difficult it is to plan for what comes our way, especially if we don't have a plan. In the opening line, I refer to myself as "sensei", which means teacher in Japanese, as I was a teacher in Japan for a couple of years and still teach. In a way, it is ironic since the teacher doesn't seem to have all the answers. In the end, however, the message is that there is no use dwelling on past mistakes. One has to draw on experience and friendship to get through tough times.

SINGER/SONGWRITER AWARD WINNER
Ryan Thies & Danny Tran “Somewhere”	Ryan Thies and Danny Tran began writing and performing together in college, and soon after formed the band Everyday Atlas. Their songs are unique in their ability to sound subtly sophisticated yet humbly familiar. Everyday Atlas is an invigorating collaboration of thoughtfulness and energy, giving us all a little extra support for the worlds we carry.

DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION WINNERS: Like what you hear? Own all 15 of the 2005 winning songs! Digitally download the album for $9.95 through Paypal. *This is a 49MB file, only recommended for fast inernet connections.
The Joys “Do I”		How do you name a musical explosion? A merging of influences and energy so combustible, it's indescribable? You could start by calling it The Joys… Based out of London, Ontario, Canada, these three guys and one girl live and breathe music. With four years of constant touring and playing over 210 shows a year, they come to spread a message: Focus on the positive things in life...let go and have fun. As their winning song, 'Do I' says, ...'Life's supposed to be fun'!
Cassandra Kubinski “Cradle the Moon”		Cassandra Kubinski, singer/songwriter, entertains in NYC at such legendary venues as The Bitter End and Living Room. Her current EP, "Hiding Underneath", has already attracted record and publishing interest. She is from Enfield, CT and is a Leo.
Redd Soul "Summer Days"		'Summer Days is a good old fashioned feel-good summer jam. It paints an image of the younger days when life was simple and fun! This song is featured on the debut cd release of the artist Redd Soul titled "Natural Progression" that is now available on Redd Soul's website. Sit back, relax, and enjoy...'
Sarah Peacock “Beautiful”		Originally from Atlanta, GA, Sarah Peacock is one of the music industry's up and coming independent rock artists. Her fresh, edgy sound comes from the influence of pop, rock, and classic rock-n-roll. She is one of few artists who’s determination gives her talent a run for its money. Built from the ground up, Sarah Peacock is an artist ready to put her heart on the table, make a stand, and make a difference through the art of her music.
Jen Foster “Amen” & “Without Michelangelo”		Known for her direct, honest lyrics, Texas-native Jen Foster is an award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist who writes from the heart and performs from the soul. Her songs evoke concrete images we can all relate to, weaving everyday events into memorable melodies. Check out her latest CD "The Underdogs" on her website.
Cooper “Prodigal Nation”		Cooper is a 3 piece piano band based out of Nashville, TN. By taking their influences from The Beatles, Jeff Buckley, Coldplay, and Duncan Sheik, they’ve molded a modern sound that is all their own. Many of their songs, such as Prodigal Nation, touch on the human aspect of life and the issues we deal with. They released a self titled EP in Noember of 2004 and they’re currently working on a second EP that’ll come out in early 2006. More info on their website.
Ryan Thies & Danny Tran “Comfortably Uncomfortable” & “Somewhere”		SEE ABOVE ABOUT THE SINGER/SONGWRITER AWARD WINNER
Justin Thompson "Let's Play House" & "The First Love Song"		Justin Thompson is an award winning singer/songwriter/jazz guitarist based out of Nashville, Tennessee.
John Watilo “Mirror Mirror”		John Watilo is a songwriter, musician, producer, and Christian praise/worship facilitator who has called the Dallas area home for almost 20 years. John writes both inspirational and secular music in a variety of styles - although two decades of living in the lone star state often result in a distinct country influence. But in the case of "Mirror Mirror", John recaptures the feel of his roots as a rock-n-roll bassist and infuses it with an unpretentious modern groove. Equally down-to-earth are the song's lyrics, which candidly portray the struggle to "be real" while searching for spiritual enlightenment as a modern Christian.
Lucas Parry "Made to Fly"		Born in Sydney Australia, but calling Nashville TN home, Lucas brings a fresh face and a new sound to the pop/rock world. Described as, capturing passionate worship driven by crunchy guitar hooks and exuberant youthfulness, and his latest CD release 'Made to Fly' heralded as being filled with uplifting lyrics and outstanding arrangements. Lucas' edgy blend of rock/pop is making waves in the modern CCM market worldwide.
Rob Meany “Outrunning Headlights” & “Rise & Fall”		SEE ABOVE ABOUT THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Andy Stack “State of Grace”
Sarah Valley “Shinin’”
Sarah Valley “Different Light”
Eddie, Laura, & Jacob Cavazos “I See Tomorrow”
Louie Cate “Supernova”
Louie Cate “Chained to the Sky”
Benjamin Olson “Raincheck”
Tara Leigh Cobble “Beautiful Drive”
Jonathan Lawson “What it Really Means to Live”
Morgan Bracy “In Between”
John Brendan Russell “Anyway”
Erin McGaughan “You Are There”
David Kraut “Liquid Sunshine”
Michele Williams “Wait for the Sun”
Vincent Windrow “I See”
Jerry Chapman “Learn to Fly”
Beau Bristow “Somehow You”
Amy Monoghan “Sparkle”
Jonathan Andrews “The Water’s Fine”
John Rey Reed “Faith is Believin”
Brad Ramsey “Found”
Justin Thompson “On the Night I Discovered You”
Melissa Bathory “2 Good 2 U”
Nikki Chapin Frizzell “So Much Good”
Ben Taylor & Trey Vittetoe “Glorious Day”
Darren Pearson “I Will Love”
Jonathan Elinghaus “Saltwater Breeze”
Natalia Bortolotti “11 Steps to You”
Henrik ‘Hylle’ Nielsen “That’s Why”
Henrik ‘Hylle’ Nielsen “Color of My Love”
Shawna Hogan “How I Feel Around You”
Gabrielle Gewirtz “Neptune”
Marla Lewis “We All Laugh in the Same Language”
Ian North “Beautiful City”
Mike Shaw "Belong"