News

Judges Announced For Open Mic 2012 Grand Final

• 17th Jan 2012

The judging panel for the Open Mic UK 2012 Grand Final has been confirmed. Amongst the prestigious line-up of music industry specialists set to judge this year’s competition are Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale MBE, Mobo and Brit Award winner Shola Ama and D:Ream singer-songwriter Pete Cunnah!

Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale MBE is best known as Britain’s first female DJ and Radio 1’s longest serving broadcaster. Annie’s career has seen her hang out with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones as well as become a journalist and TV presenter. Her accolades include the John Peel Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio’, and she is the only female DJ in the world to have been honoured with an MBE by the Queen.

RnB artist Shola Ama’s debut album ‘Much Love’ sold over one million copies, and she enjoyed chart success with top 5 singles “You Might Need Somebody” and “You’re The One I Love”. Her success saw her win two MOBO awards for ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Best RnB Act’, and a Brit award for ‘Best British Female’. Shola continues to write and record new material, and makes regular appearances in the UK charts.

Pete Cunnah is best known as lead singer and songwriter of 90’s UK dance pop band D:Ream. He was the writer, producer and singer of their entire catalogue, including the multiplatinum number 1 single “Things Can Only Get Better”, chosen by New Labour as their 1997 election campaign song. As an artist and producer Pete has sold over 3 millions records, including twelve top 40 singles and two top 5 albums, and he has written, produced and remixed for various major label acts including Duran Duran, Steps and A1.

The other music industry specialists set to judge the Open Mic UK final are Head of BGM Michael King, Head of Future Music Chris Grayston, Flavour Magazine columnist Semper Azeez-Harris, Choice FM presenter E Plus, and Head of A&R for Future Music Ben Price.

Michael King is one half of the force behind music group BGM. BGM is made up of five active arms – Major Music (the UK's number 1 development academy), publishing, production, management and record label, and currently develops 40 acts and manages 5 artists. Artists that have worked with BMG include Another Level, Rui Da Silva, Pixie Lott, Etta Smith and Hatty Keane.

Chris Grayston has enjoyed success as a promoter, instigator of dance label Hectic Records, and writer and co-producer of his own music. Now Head of Future Music, Chris has seen over 40,000 acts perform across the UK, and is one of the most intuitive and experienced talent scouts in the country.

Semper Azeez-Harris has been a journalist for three years, during which time he has interviewed big names including Teddy Riley and Wretch 32. He is now talent columnist for the award winning Flavour Magazine, using his feature to highlight unsigned but brilliantly talented individuals.

E Plus, the Choice FM presenter dedicated to bringing his listeners the freshest emerging urban talent, will make a valuable addition to the judging panel with his extensive knowledge of the UK’s breaking music scene.

Ben Price, now Head of A&R at Future Music, began his music career in radio. Ben hosted a blend of new music, unsigned acts and chart classics, and interviewed an eclectic mix of musicians including Cockney Rebel’s Steve Harley, and 1980s pop idol Paul Young, before moving into A&R full time with Future Music.

No doubt they’ll all be valuable assets to the Open Mic UK Grand Final judging panel!