BRICKMAN’S BIG BREAK! THE ONLY TALENT SEARCH FOR SINGERS AND MUSICIANS OVER 40 TO BENEFIT THE ACTORS FUND
New York, NY (August 3, 2021) – Grammy Award nominated songwriter, Jim Brickman, is proud to announce the judges for Brickman’s Big Break, the only talent search for singers and musicians over 40 years old, in partnership with The Actors Fund. The judges will include Grammy Award winner Thelma Houston, Emmy Award winner Victoria Shaw, Michael Orland (“American Idol”), Phil Guerini (Jonas Group Entertainment), and Erik Olesen (Crush Music). Due to an overwhelming response, Brickman has extended the submission deadline for entries to September 7.
Thelma Houston was the first solo female artist at Motown to win the Grammy Award for “Best R&B Female Vocal Performance” for her hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way” and, has over 50 years of vocal and performance experience. Victoria Shaw is an award-winning singer/songwriter and producer who has written and/or produced songs for such hit artists as Lady A, Garth Brooks, Christina Aguilera, Olivia Newtown-John and Eric Church, among many others. Michael Orland is not only an acclaimed musician, he has also been the Pianist, Arranger, Vocal Coach and Associate Musical Director for American Idol for 16 seasons. Phil Guerini is a music industry power player who is currently the CEO for Jonas Group Entertainment. Erik Olesen is the Head of Pop Radio Promotion & Strategy for Crush Music representing such acts as Train, Fall Out Boy, Panic at The Disco, Sia, Weezer, and Alanis Morissette, among others.
Interested applicants can apply HERE.
Submissions are open until September 7, 2021. The Final Top 20 will be determined by Brickman’s team of industry pros and votes from fans; the group will then be narrowed down to the Top 10, who will be featured on a livestream concert for fans and experts to vote, including luminaries from “American Idol,” “America’s Got Talent,” and Grammy-winning songwriters.
The entry fee is $50 and portions of the proceeds from the entries and Livestream Concert tickets go to benefit The Actors Fund, the national human services organization for everyone in performing arts and entertainment.
“I am so thrilled to have these industry experts to judge the first Brickman’s Big Break competition,” said Jim Brickman. “They not only have outstanding experience and talent – they each bring their own unique perspectives and pedigrees from the world of music and entertainment to the table to help choose the winner.”
Brickman is an American pop songwriter, pianist and radio host. He has earned two Grammy nominations for his albums Peace (2003) for Best Instrumental, and Faith (2009) for Best New Age Album. He won a Canadian Country Music Award, a Dove Award presented by the Gospel Music Association, and was twice named Songwriter of the Year by SESAC. Billboard lists 22 of his albums reaching No. 1 on the New Age chart, and 16 of his songs reaching Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Four of his albums were certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
For more information and registration, please visit www.jimbrickman.com/brickmans-big-break.
ABOUT THE ACTORS FUND
The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that fosters stability and resiliency, and provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan. The Fund serves everyone in film, theater, television, music, opera, radio and dance with programs including social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, senior and affordable housing, and secondary employment and training services. Visit actorsfund.org.
ABOUT JIM BRICKMAN
Jim Brickman is the best-selling solo pianist of our time, earning 21 number one albums, 34 Top 20 radio hits, and two Grammy nominations. His first album release was 1995’s “No Words,” and he’s gone on to sell eight million albums worldwide. His star-studded vocal collaborations have crossed genres to feature luminaries like Olivia Newton-John, Martina McBride, Michael Bolton, Leslie Odem Jr, Donny Osmond, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Mathis and Kenny Loggins amongst many others. He’s written three best-selling books, starred in four TV concert specials and is in the 22nd season of hosting the popular syndicated radio show: “The Jim Brickman Show.” The Brickman Bedtime Story podcast can be seen on Facebook LIVE and heard on Pandora, Apple, Spotify and iHeart podcasts.