YouTube Star Peter Hollens Highlights Up-And-Comers With Song Contest

Back in December, a YouTube star used his clout to highlight a handful of singers who haven’t received as much attention as he has. Peter Hollens, known for the multi-voiced music videos that have attracted more than 1.5 million subscribers to his primary YouTube channel, recently launched a cover contest in which he invited his friends in the YouTube community to judge performances sent in by his fans.

All of the competing performances are covers of “December Song,” which Hollens released as a music video back in early November. He invited his viewers to send in their own versions of the song, while encouraging them to “be creative” with how their stage and record their submissions. Ultimately, he received almost 600 submissions, which he evaluated alongside a group of fellow creators that included The Piano Guys, Madilyn Bailey, Tyler Ward, and Mike Tompkins.

Around the holidays, Hollens revealed the winner: Bailey Pelkman, who delivered an inspired cover of “December Song.” As a result, she won the chance to fly out to Hollens’ studio in Oregon and record a video alongside him. Other prizes for runners-up included Skype sessions with Hollens, arrangements devised by him, and editing assistance provided by his team.

The most important reward provided through Hollens song contest, however, came in the form of promotional support. All of the musicians he featured are looking to make their mark through digital video, just as he did years ago. Now, thanks in part to his help, they have each received a leg up. A full list of winners can be found here.