The three celebrity judges based their decision on originality, creativity, resourcefulness and ability to stay within rules under strict time constraints.

Fontana's reward...a pilot deal for a television show of his own, a book deal with Hyperion Books, and a featured appearance on Good Morning America.

With a book to write and a TV show to pull together, you can bet Frank Fontana will be a busy man in upcoming months. Fontana looks forward to showing off his crown.

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For more info, photos, or to schedule an interview contact 818.980.2096

Now let's say you really have an ace song on your hands. No reason not to record this, you're saying, and you're right. But. Is doing it at home way to go? The answer is a resounding ... depends. Depends on what gear you have, sure. But even more, it depends on what you are capable of doing with that gear. If ease with which one can record at home has limited creative quality, it may do same to sonic quality when creativity has been truly remarkable. I love those gadgets, but I will admit that I can never seem to get sound I hear in my head when I write those songs. If I were properly trained, I'm sure I'd have a different take, but I'm not, and how many of us are?

So my compromise has been to have all fun in world with songs I'm not staking my future on, while keepers get a professional to make sure that I'll get that record deal. I would highly recommend, however, to record your songs at home as a prequel, if you will, to studio. The benefits are knowing how your song will take to tape on a basic level, as well as seeing any weaknesses in your arrangements. It is a great scratch pad, and then, when you get into studio, you'll have a great head start.

I hope everyone thrills to this wonderful world of songwriting, and whether your goal is simply to give CDs to your friends and family or to be a megastar (hope we make it), you'll use home studio technology to stimulate creativity, improve your craft and career and have a blast. Happy tunes!