On The Town: The race is on to find the next winning song. Managers, DJs, producers and music-lovers gathered in Dublin this week to launch the 2005 RTÉ2FM/Jacob's Song Contest. Songwriters up to the age of 20 are invited to enter the contest, which is now in its 23rd year.
Entrants "tend to write about their experiences and the things that have happened to them, such as getting over a break-up", said Kevin Hough, the competition's executive producer. In the last couple of years, he says, "there's a lot of rock. Before, they were doing a lot of ballads".
The first winner was 10-year-old Jacqueline Madden, from Drumcondra, Hough recalled. "Her winning song, Summer Song, was terrific," he said.
Ian Redmond, of Vibe Music, which manages 17-year-old Laura Isibor, who won the competition in 2003, said the young Dublin star is currently in New York recording an album. She is signed to Jive Records, who also handle Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Her winning song last year was called Compatible.
"We're always looking for new talent," said Redmond. The contest "really allows young Irish talent to showcase and play on stage".
A broadcaster for 43 years, Larry Gogan, who is chairman of the judges, recalled that singer Naimee Coleman was a winner in 1994. Winners tended to "stand out in some way", he said. "They are different - their song is catchier."
Some of the judges love pop acts, while others, such as Cormac Battle, a 2FM DJ, says he prefers rock bands.
The final of the contest will be held next February at Vicar Street, Dublin 8, said Adrian Moynes, RTÉ director of radio.
Over the coming weeks every second-level school in the country - including Northern Ireland - will be targeted, said Penny-Rose Barlow, one of the contest's administrators and broadcast assistant on 2FM's The Full Breakfast.
Closing date for entry is Friday, December 3rd. For an application form, telephone 01-2083461 or e-mail 2fmjacobs@rte.ie