A big congratulations to Helen Austin and Paul Otten, winners of the $20,000 Song of the Year in The John Lennon Songwriting Contest. I was honored to make the announcement and surprise Helen with a call alongside Brian Rothschild, Executive Director of The JLSC and The Lennon Bus, a state-of-the-art recording studio on wheels.

Check out the winning song, “Colour It,” above and the full press release below. To enter in to the year-long JLSC, which distributes over $300,000 in cash awards and prizes during its duration, visit JLSC.com.

John Lennon Songwriting Contest announces

Song of the Year on New York’s 95.5 PLJ

Colour It by Helen Austin and Paul Otten takes $20,000 prize

New York, NY (August 1, 2014) — Helen Austin & Paul Otten were announced as the winners of the coveted John Lennon Songwriting Contest 'Song of the Year' for their original song “Colour It.” The announcement was made on Cumulus Media’s 95.5 PLJ in New York with radio host Ralphie Aversa.

As 'Song of the Year' winners, Helen Austin & Paul Otten won $20,000 in cash in addition to prizes from SSL, Avid, Mackie and Digital Media Academy. They have also received other prizing throughout 2013 after winning both the Lennon Award and the Grand Prize packages in the Children’s category. The song was selected to win the top prize by the John Lennon Songwriting Contest’s Executive Judges Panel, consisting of superstars such as Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, Natasha Bedingfield, George Clinton, Prince Royce, Bootsy Collins, Sean Paul & more.

Helen Austin is currently from Vancouver Island in Canada, though she started as a classical musician in the UK. Paul Otten is from Cincinnati, OH in the US. The two met while both on a songwriting conference panel, where they began a songwriting relationship. Helen and Paul are currently focusing on a new project together called Big Little Lions.

A total of over $300,000 in cash awards and prizes will be distributed this year by the year-round John Lennon Songwriting Contest, which is open to both amateur and professional songwriters. Visit JLSC.COM for more information about the contest and to enter for your chance to become the next 'Song of the Year' winner. All entry fees from the contest help support the non-profit John Lennon Educational Tour Bus.