Here is everything you need to know about the episode 9 of Songland, airing Wednesday August 28 at 9 pm ET/PT after America’s Got Talent Results on NBC.
As always, four songwriters will present their tunes to the panel, hoping to have it recorded by this week’s star artist, pop singer and X Factor UK winner Leona Lewis. Leona won season 3 of X Factor in 2006. Fun Fact: Songland panelist Ryan Tedder co-wrote and produced Leona’s 2007 breakout hit, “Bleeding Love.” Along with his band OneRepublic’s smash “Apologize,” “Bleeding Love” was an early success for Ryan.
The competition features an all-star panel of songwriters and producers that include Ryan Tedder (Leona Lewis “Bleeding Love,” Beyonce “Halo,” and his own hits with OneRepublic), Ester Dean (Nicki Minaj “Super Bass,” Katy Perry “Firework,” Kelly Clarkson “Mr. Know it All”) and Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves “Merry Go Round,” The Band Perry “Better Dig Two,” Keith Urban “Female,”).
Check out this week’s four songwriters.
Annabel Lee – From her Facebook page: “A “force of f****** nature” hailing from Boston, MA who mixes the delicate dynamic elements of a singer songwriter, with sugary hooks and powerful vocals.” She won New England Music Awards Best New Act in 2012, Rock Act of the Year with her band in 2014. She conducted a successful Kickstarter campaign with a fellow artist–although it did take a bit to get all the rewards out!
Olivia Lane – Pop country singer/songwriter Olivia released a single “So Good it Hurts” back in May. According to the press release Olivia is ” a Houston-born and Nashville-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and performer. She started entertaining during her formative years, and immersed herself in records by Shania Twain, Frank Sinatra, and Carole King for inspiration very early on. Garnering a loyal fan base after the release of her self-titled EP in 2016, Olivia has gotten widespread praise from major publications like Rolling Stone, Taste of Country, Billboard, Music Connection, and more in addition to a cumulative stream tally in excess of 18 million.” Check out her AllMusic bio here. Olivia studied music and songwriting at the University of Southern California. Check out her Youtube channel and official website.
Rafferty – The 6-foot-6 half-Persian and half-Scandinavian Colorado-born singer/songwriter has released several EP’s and an album. His song “Apple Pie” soundtracked the Apple iPhone 6 launch, and became the most used song in Apple’s history of any product launch. There’s a Ryan Tedder connection here. Rafferty met OneRepublic band member Tyler Johnson who introduced the songwriter to Grammy award winning producer Jeff Bhasker. He went on to produce “Apple Pie.” More on Rafferty HERE and HERE.
Rozee – From Rozee’s website bio: “Hailing from the beautiful US Virgin Islands, Los Angeles based Singer-Songwriter Rozee…is the daughter of a minister, and a self taught Pianist/organist, she learned the basics of pitch and harmonization at a very young age, which is very evident in her vocal style. She brings a smooth & sultry innocence to the Alternative Pop/R&B genre, along with folk and blues influences. Her sound is somewhat reminiscent of Sade in the early 90’s, and her powerhouse vocals remind you of those of 70’s Funk/Rock artists like Tina Turner and Donna Summer.” Rozee released her debut EP Retrospect on May 31st, 2019.
The 11-episode series will feature artists: Jonas Brothers, John Legend, Meghan Trainor, Charlie Puth, OneRepublic, Old Dominion, will.i.am, Kelsea Ballerini, Leona Lewis, Aloe Blacc, and Macklemore. Check out her Facebook page and Youtube channel.
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