PRESS RELEASE

25 February 2010


Amy Stroup wins Peacedriven Songwriting Award


NEW YORK, NY – A Nashville, Tennessee-based songwriter/singer has been named the winner of the fourth Peacedriven Songwriting Award. Amy Stroup’s song “Hold Onto Hope Love” beat out more than 250 entries to claim the annual prize, selected by a panel of judges comprised of social activists and musicians. The Peacedriven Campaign, in partnership with Sonicbids.com, sponsors the award.

Anthony Stokes, director of the Peacedriven Campaign, said many of the judges commented that Amy’s song is very relevant to today’s global concerns. “With recent disasters like the earthquake in Haiti, Amy’s song ‘Hold Onto Hope Love’ has the power to resonate with and encourage a lot of people,” Stokes said.

“I write songs about things I’ve lived through and ‘Hold Onto Hope Love’ is a song about waiting for genuine love to come,” Stroup said in a telephone interview. Stroup said she recorded the song with producer Thomas Doeve in a basement and has been surprised with its success. The song has already been featured on television shows like the CW’s One Tree Hill.

As the winner of the Peacedriven Songwriting Award, Stroup receives a cash prize. Her winning song can be heard on the Campaign’s website (www.peacedriven.com). “Hold Onto Hope Love” is also available for sale on iTunes and AmazonMp3. For more information about Amy Stroup, visit her website at www.amystroup.com

The Peacedriven Campaign received song submissions from around the world, including Australia, Canada, France, Jamaica, Israel, the United Kingdon and the United States, via the online music network Sonicbids.com. Judges selected one winner and five finalists based on originality, melody and lyrics. The five finalists include: Nick Mundy (“Colors of Love”), Tomoko (“Hold On”), Mr. 44 (“Reach for the Sky”), Larry Murante (“Point of Entry”), Vienne (“Weight of the World”).

The mission of Peacedriven, a nonprofit and nonpartisan campaign, is to motivate social activists as well as empower a new generation to act. The project has received funding from YouthVenture and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. Contact Anthony Stokes at info@peacedriven.com.


For PDF of this press release, download here.