News On USA Songwriting Contest 2004 Two MACP members have done Malaysia proud. In what is regarded as the largest and most prestigious song-writing event attracting as many as 31,000 entries from around the globe every year, Malaysians Ross Ariffin and Helena Hon were picked finalists in 2004 with their song, “A Kiss Goodnight.”   This is the first time in the history of the competition since its launching in 1996 that Malaysians have ever made it to the finals, says Lee Lyndes, President of USA Songwriting Competition, Fort Lauderdale , Florida , USA , in an email to the finalists. There have been past Asian winners before, such as from Singapore and the Philippines in 2003, but from Malaysia , there has been a notable void – until now. This represents a feather in the cap for local musicianship, a pat on the back for Malaysia , and a testimony that, - as Lyndes says in a separate press release to MACP – “Malaysian musical talent is alive and well.”   Helena Hon, the lyricist for “A Kiss Goodnight” in describing her collaboration with award-winning composer Ross Ariffin, said she took some time matching the ‘mood' of the words to the ‘mood' of the song. “It's unusual to say the least,” says Helena of the haunting composition, “and I think that's what this competition is looking at-an ‘unusualness' in the treatment of the melody and coherence and originality in the lyrics.” Songs are judged equally on originality, lyrics, melody and composition, and not on the quality of the production or the vocals.   Ross and Helena, who are now back in Malaysia (after being overseas for a long time), have set up their own ‘all-creative' outfit where Ross, who takes care of the music and entertainment division, is currently busy re-recording his former ‘hits' (such as ‘Dia', ‘Kau & Aku' and of course ‘A Kiss Goodnight') for his own upcoming album. Meanwhile Helena, who is a writer and editor by profession, handles the design and publishing division where she plans to bring out their own album covers, magazines and music books in the near future. To contact the duo for any reason call 012-914-8224/012-914-7868 or email petproj@tm.net.my. (For more information on the USA Songwriting Contest do visit its website at www.songwriting.net ).   [ previous news ]