Gerry Rafferty is to be remembered in song, as the singer’s family are uniting with Renfrewshire Council and Burnsong to launcha songwriting prize in his name.

Songwriters from Renfrewshire are being offered the chance to win a place at the UK Songwriting Festival, which is to be held for the first time held for the first time in Scotland, from 12th–17th August.

The winning act will also get the chance to showcase their winning songs at two special performances at the end of the festival, and will will receive mentoring from the tutors on Bath Spa University’s Songwriting Masters degree as well as from Ivor Novello-nominated Snow Patrol collaborator Iain Archer.

Judges include Jim Gellatly (Clyde 1), Duglas T. Stewart (BMX Bandits), Emma Gillespie (Emma’s Imagination), Ronald Gurr (Burnsong) and Martha Rafferty (daughter of Gerry Rafferty).

The competition is open to songwriters from Renfrewshire in any genre who are aged 18+.
To enter, songwriters should submit up to two original songs by 6th July.

More details (deep breath): at www.gerryrafferty.com, www.facebook.com/OfficialGerryRaffertyPage, www.uksongwritingfestival.com and www.burnsong.org