Yamaha artist Greg Sczebel wins John Lennon Songwriter Award

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 27, 2008) — Canadian independent artist Greg Sczebel has been honored with his second John Lennon Songwriting Award. His song "Homeland" is the grand prize winner in the Gospel category. Sczebel, who plays a Yamaha CP300 stage piano, is a 23-year-old pop/soul phenom whose love for soul music and deep grooves is matched by his passion for songwriting that is relevant, honest and inspired.

"Yamaha offers our sincere congratulations to Greg for this amazing recognition, which recognizes both amateur and professional songwriters," comments Chris Gero, vice president of Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs, Inc. "We wish him luck in the next round of competitions for the grand prize of song of the year."

Entries for the John Lennon contest are judged based on originality, melody, composition and lyrics, and this year were reviewed by celebrity judges including Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Al Jarreau and Bob Weir (Grateful Dead). Sczebel now goes on to compete against 24 other award winners from around the world for over $20,000 in cash and prizes and the title of Maxell Song of the Year.

"It's such a huge honor," says Sczebel. "The competition is highly respected among songwriters and this song is really special to me. It was one of those ones that came so effortlessly, it almost seemed to write itself."

"Homeland" is a song about the heartache of losing a loved one. It was written by Sczebel while a close friend spent the last hours with his father, a longtime cancer survivor. Despite a courageous battle with the disease, the father eventually reached his "Homeland."

The award-winning song, which will be released on Sczebel's upcoming sophomore album, is also currently a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, which will announce winners in April 2008.

This is not the first time Sczebel has received the Lennon honor. In 2005 he was recognized by the international John Lennon Songwriting Contest with a grand prize award for the title track of his debut album Here to Stay, which later went on to receive a Juno Award.