3/28/2003

in

Virginia Iverson

Elizabeth Elkins, singer and guitarist for the Atlanta alternative rock band, Alastor, was named Grand Prize winner in the Rock Category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Her song, "Deception Bay" beat out more than 26,000 entries from across the globe.  
  
The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is the world's most prestigious song writing contest with major label artists and record executives serving on the panel of judges. In 1999, rock category winner, Dexter Freebish, took their winning composition "Leaving Town" to the top of the Billboard charts.  
  
The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is an international songwriting contest that began in 1997. The contest is open to amateur and professional songwriters who submit entries in any one of 12 musical categories. Beyond the substantial cash prizes, some winners will receive EMI Music Publishing Contracts and Yamaha Project Studio Equipment. One entry will be named "Song of the Year" and that winner will receive an additional $20,000 in cash, courtesy of Maxell. Overall, 120 winners will split over $200,000 in cash and prizes. Thanks to Tonos.com, the winning songs will be submitted for consideration to record, music publishing, television and film companies. Winners are selected by songwriting members of the Songwriters Guild of America, with all final determinations being made by members of the JLSC Executive Committee of noted singer/songwriters.  
  
Since its beginning in 1997, Alastor has become one of the best-known alternative rock bands in Atlanta. With the release of The Late Night Plays, the band introduces a national-caliber sound ringing with radio-ready hooks and a defiant personality. Produced by Rusty Cobb (Butch Walker, Injected, \[minus\]), the album takes the band's punk-pop ethic to new heights. Elizabeth, fire-power bassist, James Salter, and high-octane drummer, Mickey Hendrix, have created a furiously-paced eight-song disc that falls musically somewhere between Concrete Blonde, Hole and The Vines. The band's live show - amplified by the recent addition of Blair Barnhardt on second guitar - is equally passionate and impressive enough to earn the band a spot on the 99X Locals Only Stage at Music Midtown 2002. With a handful of television and film song placements, a steady touring schedule and a video on its way, Alastor is living up to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's description of the group as "one of Atlanta's most powerful combos." The band has independently sold more than 2,500 CDs and draws 100+ to Atlanta shows.  
  
In addition to its win in this year's John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Alastor has received numerous specialty show spins on 99X in Atlanta, showcased at the Atlantis Music Conference and at 99X's Big Day Out competition. Other band accomplishments include: Jim Beam Back Room Featured Band, Sennheiser Evolution Band Contest finalist, Jim Beam Benefiting Emerging Artists in Music (B.E.A.M.) grant, Just Plain Folks Music Awards honorable mention, Palm Records/Mars Music Quit Your Day Job contest semi-finalist, Georgia Music Industry Association Songwriters Showcase finalist, Top 10 in the People's Choice Award Atlanta Local Music Awards and Lilith Fair Talent Search finalist.