Lizzie Jones to be a judge on Song for Yorkshire contest

Halifax singer Lizzie Jones is backing a new musical competition to help celebrate Yorkshire.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

She has teamed up with London North Eastern Railway to create a Song for Yorkshire contest.

The LNER Song for Yorkshire contest is aimed at aspiring singers and songwriters of all ages who are being invited to compose an original song to shout loud and proud about why the county is such a great place to live, study, work and of course to visit.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lead judge Lizzie Jones MBE is joined by a panel of esteemed Yorkshire talent including Kaiser Chiefs’ Simon Rix, Capital presenter JoJo, stage and screen star Natalie Anderson, TV presenter Luxmy Gopal, LNER Commercial Director Suzanne Donnelly and theatre producer Dan Bates.

Halifax's Lizzie JonesHalifax's Lizzie Jones
Halifax's Lizzie Jones

The judges will be looking for a song that best describes how special Yorkshire is, its diversity of landscape, people and places.

Head Judge, singer, Lizzie Jones MBE said: “I’m delighted to be leading the judging on this brilliant new competition which combines two of my biggest passions, singing and Yorkshire. Lockdown has been a huge challenge for so many people across the county and what better way to raise our spirits than coming up with a ‘Song for Yorkshire.

"I hope people will be inspired by the favourite Yorkshire places they’ve missed while staying home and also the beauty they’ve rediscovered on their own doorsteps.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The winning song will receive a cash prize of £1000. There will also be the chance to perform the song live in front of an audience (in line with any current COVID 19 guidelines).

Suzanne Donnelly, Commercial Director at LNER said: “Yorkshire is a core part of the LNER route and we’re delighted to be a part of this exciting search for the best talent in the country. We’re honoured to serve some of the most vibrant communities in Yorkshire and our colleagues and customers are well versed in what the local areas have to offer. Our customers frequently travelling on our route through Yorkshire tell us that there is plenty of inspiration to be seen.”

Entries must be in by November 13 2020. The judges will then choose four finalists which will be revealed on December 7. These four entries will be professionally filmed before being put to a public vote, with the winner announced on 11th December.

The song can be performed solo or by a group, band or choir, and can be any type of music – from rap, hip-hop, or soul, to pop, dance or even folk or classical. The more diverse the entries the better.

All that is being asked is that it must be an original song all about Yorkshire, is no more than four minutes long and a video file is submitted online at www.yorkshire.com/song