Edi Callier was selected from 11 finalists
in this global music and mental health initiative
NASHVILLE – The Road to Nashville: Liverpool International Song Contest (TRTN) is thrilled to announce its winner after the final live performances were presented at the renowned EXIT/IN on John Lennon’s birthday, Sunday, Oct. 9. Hosted by the BBC’s Claire Simmo and live streamed by Music Crowns, The Road to Nashville finale was judged by a panel of legendary music industry representatives, who, after much deliberation, crowned Edi Callier as the winner of the global mental health program.
Out of over 21,400 songwriters from 31 countries, Edi wowed the judges with his original song, Alone, which included moving lines such as, “I need someone to come and hold this heartbroken man, I need trust in an uncharted land. Oh, someone please help me to understand why I feel so alone again.”
“It means so much to me to be able to be a part of The Road to Nashville, especially because it’s something bigger than just me and more than what the song meant when I put pen to pad,” said Callier. “Now, my song is in a place where it can actually do some good. I’m not used to winning yet, and so this is a new, wonderful feeling. It’s pretty great.”
“We have made history with these eleven finalists who were chosen from among 31 countries. All incredibly talented, but what a fantastic winner we have in Edi Callier, especially after he lost his loved one,” said Dr. Shamender Talwar and Daniel Xander, trustees of TUFF. “Very proud to say The Road To Nashville global mental health project from Liverpool, UK has become the largest songwriting contest in the world.”
Flying in from Los Angeles, California, Edi Callier is a recording artist, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer originally from Portland, Oregon. Inspired by the likes of Prince, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, EWF, Aerosmith & Nirvana, Edi’s roots playing and singing alongside his father in the church at a young age led him to the city of Atlanta where he rapidly made a name for himself. He built a following through his genre-bending brand of music, commanding stage presence, extraordinary musicianship, and his distinguishably smooth yet passionate vocals. A former contestant on FOX Television’s The Four, Edi Callier and his music can best be described as an eclectic blend of soul, funk, rock, pop, R&B and jazz with international flare.
“I am thrilled to have served as a judge for the finale of The Road To Nashville with other music industry powerhouses. I was truly impressed by the raw talent the contestants brought to this competition, as well as the genuine comradery displayed backstage,” said Pamela Lewis FRSA, Founder of PLA Media. “Edi wrote a phenomenal song that touched us all, and we were happy to present him with the Mic of Unity to honor his accomplishment.”
The judging panel for The Road to Nashville included Gary Morris (Grammy, ACM and CMA award winning singer/songwriter, Broadway star), Jeff Cohen (six-time BMI Award-winning Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, publisher), Pamela Lewis (Owner of PLA Media: Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, CMA’s “Artist Manager of the Year,” MTV launch team), Tim Wipperman (Managing Director of ONErpm) and Regie Hamm (Five-time SESAC “Writer of the Year”).
Throughout the process, The Unity of Faiths Foundation (TUFF), co-organizers of The Road to Nashville, worked to connect artists worldwide with the mental health services they need. TUFF is providing continued access to complimentary counseling services for the 3,600 participants who opted into the free program.
To stream the finalist submissions, visit https://roadtonashville.
Help us keep the road to recovery going! Donate to The Road To Nashville – Liverpool International Song Contest, click here.
The 2022 Road to Nashville finalists included:
- Ammon & Liahona Olayan – Salt Lake residents from Hawaii
- Liz Beatty & Nate Strasser – Brentwood, TN
- Edi Callier – Los Angeles, CA
- Alex Boye – London, UK
- Charles Cleyn – Canada
- Twayne – Newscastle, UK
- Sean Kennedy – Nashville resident from Scotland
- Abi Muir – Australia
- Jennifer Sanon – Miami, FL (SAE Student)
- Skinny Living – trio from Ireland
- Neeve Zahra – Manchester, UK
- Liverpool City Council
- Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County
- Visit Music City
- Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
- Country Music Association
- Music Crowns
- Exit/In
- BMI
- SAE Institute
- The Cavern Club Liverpool
- Middle Tennessee State University
- BBC
- Porter’s Call
- Gaylord Opryland Hotels
- Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown Capitol View
- Virgin Hotels
The Road To Nashville closed with a celebratory reception at the British Consulate in Nashville on World Mental Health Day (Monday, Oct. 10). At this event, the Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson and Nashville Deputy Mayor Brenda Haywood joined hands in solidarity for the continued support and efforts of TRTN mission and its talented finalists.