⇣  SONGDOOR WINNERS  ⇣

2023



GRAND AWARD WINNERS

Justin Froese

Justin Busch

California, USA

“The Earth Below”

Soft Rock Category

Listen to all winning songs below

____________

See a full list:

2023 Finalists

2023 Honorable Mentions

Past Grand Award Winners

All Winners 2006-2023


SongDoor 2023 Winners Justin Froese (left) & Justin Busch

Justin Froese

For booking, licensing or press inquiries, please visit Justin Froese’s website.

ABOUT JUSTIN FROESE

Justin may look familiar to many of you who remember his Grand-Award winning Christian song from 2013, “Finally Here.” It was co-written with the late Nancy Montgomery, a force in her own right who is greatly missed.

Justin, a California-based award-winning songwriter, is known for his catchy tunes, collaborative spirit and diverse musical palate. His mainstream sensibilities, combined with 10 years of classical music study, have resulted in the ability not only to cross genres, but to defy them. His impressive guitar skills and smooth, heartfelt voice always leave audiences moving and grooving.

Other artists seek Justin out for his songwriting, but also for his unique ability to catch their vision and usher them into it. It was under Justin’s guidance, alongside band leader Benjamin Door, that Seattle band St. Paul de Vence's debut album sat securely in the Top 10 on KEXP for seven consecutive weeks. Other notable collaborations include Allen Stone, Zach Fleury, and Naomi Wachira, as well as San Diego’s female-fronted reggae band, Hirie.

Justin balances performing and recording with coaching other artists and songwriters. Songwriting remains a central vehicle for cultivating self-expression and artistic fulfillment for him. Justin formed the Soulful Songwriters Collective in 2018 to provide support, feedback, education and training for songwriters worldwide.

Justin Busch

For booking, licensing or press inquiries, please visit Justin Busch’s website.

ABOUT JUSTIN BUSCH

The “other Justin” is a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. His impressive portfolio of work includes artist cuts, film and television, advertising and more.

“Music was never a choice. Life played out in my mind with a lyric and a melody, and I made sure to capture as much of it as I could. I was 11 years old when a guitar found its way into my hands, and I haven’t put it down since.

“I studied theory, composition, and production, but always kept my focus on great songwriting. I listened to all different genres of music so I could find a way to craft my own sound. At 18 I started sending songs to Nashville and it wasn’t long before I was writing for publishers, learning how to spin my narratives with a greater respect for the craft. It was there that I ultimately learned the rules, mostly so I understood how best to break them.

"People started to record my music and it gave a little bit of validation to my tales of hope, redemption, and love. In a world that placed less value on artistic expression, it was still the music that gave me true and lasting friendships and provided clarity and direction.

"The music gave me a way to weave these incredible stories out of the fabric of a strange and unexpected journey: stories of life and love, the past and the future, loss and perseverance. In exchange, I’ve gained a little insight into who I am and where I’m headed."


⇣  CATEGORY WINNERS  ⇣

2023


CHRISTIAN

JEFFREY SCOTT LEAVITT

Tennessee, USA

“The Man On The Middle Cross"

COUNTRY

TRANNIE ANDERSON

DALLAS WILSON

CASSIDI HESDON

CARA ANDERTON

Virginia, USA

“Love Of A Good Man"

HARD ROCK/ALT-ROCK

MICHAEL GOLDBERG

Arizona, USA

“Helpless"

INSTRUMENTAL

MALTE VIEF

Saxony, Germany

“Gigue"

POP

NATALIE THEODORE

Sydney, Australia

“Denim"

SOFT ROCK/ALT-FOLK

JUSTIN FROESE

JUSTIN BUSCH

California, USA

“The Earth Below"