DETROIT - Seven of Southeast Michigan's most talented songwriters have won the ten top prizes in the first Metro Detroit Songwriting Contest, and will be featured at a concert in November.

John Latini won the grand prize with his melancholy ballad, "Yesterday I Painted Your Room." Latini is well known in the Ann Arbor (Michigan) area as a host of a popular open mic night, as well as a member of bands Crowbar Hotel and The Flying Latini Brothers. His winning song will be featured on an upcoming CD.

Jen Cass won four awards: a first place for "Main Attraction;" two second place awards for "Trouble" and "Vagabond Heart;" and a third place for "Madeleine." She also won an honorable mention for "Pirate." All four songs are from her most recent release, "Skies Burning Red," an independent release produced by John Jennings and featuring some of the finest country session musicians in the U.S.

Bill Bynum won first place for his country ballad, "Lovin' You," while Alisa Visconti won first place for her rock song, "Standing," which she co-wrote with Allan Goetz and Tim Morabito.

Michael Doom won a second place award with his Christian ballad, "Barefoot in the Grass." Maureen Honore won third place with her original jazz composition, "Hold Me," and Melissa McClain won third place with the acoustic-rock song, "Perennial."

All seven winners are scheduled to perform at the Winners' Showcase Concert at the Trinity House Theater on Friday, Nov. 5, in Livonia, Michigan. For advance tickets and more information on the winners, go to www.MichSongs.com.

For 2005, the songwriting contest has been expanded to the entire state of Michigan, with more prizes and sponsorship by Elderly Instruments of Lansing, Michigan, and Lamb's Retreat for Songwriters of Royal Oak, Michigan. More information on the 2005 Michigan Songwriting Contest is also available at www.MichSongs.com.