From a young age, Guitar Hero, piano lessons and musician parents were all he knew. Now, Sky Olson has found his voice and will be taking it with him as he navigates a win of a lifetime.
Olson is the grand prize winner of the Pop category in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. How he got there took a new mindset of music and creativity, something he had lost interest in growing up. He started creating music at the age of five, forced by his parents to take piano lessons. After high school, he’d been diagnosed with Lyme disease and other chronic health issues that caused him to be bedridden for 5+ years.
“Failed treatments, misplaced hope and daily chronic pain made this a torturous period of my life,” he said.
As his life continued down this path of grievance, he was kept away from everything he loved; all he had was a guitar and the company of his bedroom, so he started writing songs. His first dates back to 2021, titled “Dear Katie.” The single’s popularity moved him to apply to the songwriting competition, leading him toward a path of success. This initial entry in 2021 didn’t win a prize, but did provide him with that connection for years to come.
“From there, as my health continued to improve, the music journey only got more and more exciting,” Olson said. “I have gotten to be a part of a vibrant music scene in Utah, making so many friends along the way.”
What is the contest?
The John Lennon Songwriting Contest was “founded in 1997 and made possible by Yoko Ono Lennon, [and] celebrates originality and craft across genres,” according to the website. This is an annual contest that gives musicians the opportunity to share their music with communities on a global scale. Past winners, and now prominent figures in the music scene, include Meghan Trainor, American Authors and Ben Rector. And now added to that list is Sky Olson.
“That little nudge from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest gave me the confidence that maybe I have something to offer in my music,” Olson said.
Olson’s single titled “Sand Castles” is what won him the grand prize. A song in the making for over a year, he said he had become a perfectionist in his music-making, describing himself as “his own worst enemy.” Although this is true, he enjoys the creative outlet and the company it provides him.
“As long as [music’s] filling my life with connection and joy, I’ll continue to pursue it,” he said.
This is only the beginning
The competition’s prize includes a new guitar, recording equipment and thousands of dollars to be used for recording, touring and other band purposes. Olson emphasized the value this provides for him and his band. They’ve just come off tour and recorded a Live EP to be released in the coming months with the help of this prize. He also said that they hope for another tour to come, where they will travel across Utah and Idaho.
Olson emphasized his deep appreciation for the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the time they have given him to perfect his songwriting. While he is grateful for the money and new equipment that come along with the prize, Olson said that their time and kind words throughout the process were the most rewarding.
“At the end of the day, the thing that matters most to me is that the song resonated with people,” he said.
