Tom Waits joins songwriting judging panel

Gravel-voiced US singer-songwriter Tom Waits and Elton John's writing partner Bernie Taupin are among the illustrious names to judge this year's International Songwriting Competition. Pop sensation Selena Gomez has also joined the panel.

The competition judges the music of up-and-coming songwriters and offers prizes to songwriters in 22 categories incorporating all genres in contemporary and popular music.
Other names on the celeb-heavy judging panel include Garbage, Keane, Duran Duran, and The Cure's Robert Smith.

The winner of the overall grand prize receives $25,000 in prize money. For more information, email [email protected]

Past winners of the competition include Goyte, Andrew Bird, and Omar Sosa.