SONGWRITING CONTESTS - A Department of Songwriters Notes

News from Dallas Songwriters Association about songwriting contests.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

12th annual Independent Music Awards

Enter your best work to The 12th annual Independent Music Awards to get the respect & attention your music deserves!

Hurry! Deadline is October 12, 2012.

Click here to enter the 12th IMAs

Check it out - earning an Independent Music Award is more than just a badge of distinction (though that certainly helps)!Only The IMAs can deliver the international prestige, exposure and revenue opportunities that help build buzz and turn millions of new fans into customers.

That's why self-released and independent label talent from around the world submit their best work in more than 80 Album, Song, Design, and Music Video categories. Are you ready to stand with the best?

Artistry Has Its Awards - Go Now To:www.TheIndependentMusicAwards.com/submit

Monday, June 25, 2012

Ronnie Milsap’s “Country Cut” Contest


“I don’t think Ronnie Milsap’s ever gonna record this song,” but there’s a very good chance he will because the country music legend, along with American Songwriter, have announced Ronnie Milsap’s “Country Cut” Contest, starting June 18. The quote is John Hiatt’s lyric from his 1987 song “Memphis in the Meantime” and it sets the tone for an opportunity that will give one aspiring songwriter a track, recorded by Milsap, and placed on his upcoming album to be released Fall 2012.
American Songwriter and a panel of industry professionals (listed below) will listen to every song submitted and present Ronnie Milsap with 25 finalists. Milsap and producer Ron Galbraith will select the winning song.
Ken Madson, President of Average Joes Management says, “Knowing the American Songwriter audience, we should be able to find some fantastic songs. We have a great group of judges who will help narrow the field of hits for Ronnie to pick from.”
With over 26 albums, 62 singles, 40 No.1′s, 6 Grammy’s and over 35 millions albums sold, Ronnie Milsap is giving one lucky songwriter their chance to win a piece of the business. To enter your song, visit American Songspace.
JUDGES:
John Ritchie, Creative Director, American Songspace
Caine O’Rear, Editor, American Songwriter Magazine
Ken Madson, Manager, Average Joes Manangement
Noah Gordan, Head of A&R, Average Joes Entertainment
Matt Bjorke, Editor, Roughstock.com
Craig Shelburne, Writer, CMT.com
Clay Hunnicutt, Sr.VP Country Programming and Community Engagement, Clear Channel
Colt Ford, Artist, Average Joes Entertainment
Caitlin Rose, Artist, ATO Records
Bradley Collins, Director Writer and Publisher Relations, BMI
Shannan Hatch, Senior Director Writer/Publisher Relations, SESAC
THE FINAL DECISION MAKERS:
Ronnie Milsap, along with producer Rob Galbraith

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Folk and Bluegrass Festival - Salt Lake City


CALL FOR ENTRIES


Come one, come all – it’s the annual Susanne Millsaps Performing Songwriter Showcase.  Previous finalists have called it “a complete honor”, “a total blast”, and “the best songwriting contest around.”  We’re welcoming entries from solo singer-songwriters (sorry, no duos, trios, etc.) performing their own original music.  Finalists will be selected by a blind judging panel, with scoring based on vocal ability, instrumental ability, and songwriting.  Last year’s winner was Peter Danzig.

Ten finalists will be invited to perform Saturday, July 21, 2012 on the main stage of the 4th IAMA Free Folk and Bluegrass Festival at the magnificent Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City!   A new panel of judges composed of acoustic music professionals will be in the audience and will select the winners.  Their judging criteria will be the same as for the initial round, plus the added element of performance quality.  All performances must be solo, and instruments will be limited to what you can carry on stage; no piano will be provided.

Festival admission for main stage performances is free again this year.  The first-place winner this year will have the opportunity to perform a 30-minute-paid set on the main stage directly after the winners are announced.  (There’ll be other prizes, too; not to worry!)



More info at: http://sm-contest-entry.eventbrite.com/

Thursday, March 1, 2012

RIPPLE ANNOUNCES RECORD DEAL AS CONTEST PRIZE


Ripple Music, has announced its sponsorship of TBFM Factor 2012--one of the biggest "on-air" battle of the bands ever. TBFM Factor 2012 is presented by Internet radio station Total Biker FM. In 2010, the station was not fully prepared for what turned out to be an amazing competition with over 4 million hits during the final week, which crashed the servers, twice. To register your rock, punk or metal band for this competition, visit http://www.tbfmfactor.com and click "Register Your Band." Registration closes at the end of March.

Kerrville new folk Deadline - March 15


Don't miss your chance to enter the 2012 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Songwriters Competition. Submit two original songs for a chance to take your place in history alongside Former New Folk Winners like Lyle Lovett (1982), Lucinda Williams (1974), David Wilcox (1988), Tish Hinojosa (1979), Jimmy LaFave (1987), BettySoo (2008), Rebecca Lobe (2008), Anais Mitchel (2003), and Gordy Quist of Band of Heathens (2006).

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Dallas Songwriters Song and Lyric Contests for 2012


Deadline: May 14th


Now in its 22nd year, The DSA 2011 Song Contest is one of the longest running international song contests for amateur songwriters. Offering over $5,000 in cash and prizes this year, the DSA has EIGHT categories in all. See Contest Rules for eligibility. Accepting Submissions 2/1/2012 through 5/14/2012. Pick your category and enter today! 
  • Country
  • Pop/Rock/RandB/Alternative
  • Americana/Folk/Bluegrass
  • Christian/Inspirational
  • Love Songs/Easy Listening
  • Children's/Novelty
  • Singer-Songwriter
  • InstrumentalClick here for more info about this contest, and for more information about joining DSA (membership not required to enter contest).Click here to view a list of frequently asked questions. 

DALLAS SONGWRITERS QUARTERLY LYRIC CONTEST
Lyricists! Here’s your chance to shine! Get recognition for your lyrical work. Winner receives a certificate and $50 cash.The 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winner's lyrics and judges critiques will be published in the DSA “Songwriters Notes” and on the DSA Website Entry fee is $10 per lyric. Submissions ongoing.
Quarterly Entry Deadlines:
Winter - March 31
Spring - June 30
Summer - September 30
Fall - December 31
For information on submitting: http://dsalyriccontest.blogspot.com/ 

Wildflower Performing Songwriter Contest


Deadline March 8

“Encouraging the art of independent performing singer-songwriters”

How To Enter! 
Write and perform great songs. Genres: Acoustic, Folk, Country, Blues, Americana, Bluegrass, and Celtic. 
Submit your songs to Wildflower!. Limit of 3 entries per person. An entry is 2 songs. 
Upload the songs to SonicBids http://www.sonicbids.com/Opportunity/OpportunityView.aspx?opportunity_id=106482 or mail your songs and entry form (below) to: 

Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest
2100 E. Campbell Road
Suite 100
Richardson, TX 75081

The fee is $20 for each entry. For mail in entries, make check payable to Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival. 
Songs must be uploaded to SonicBids or postmarked by midnight March 8, 2010. 

There will be four $500 cash awards.  One of the awards will have the title of the "The Michael Terry People's Choice Award". 
The 10 Finalists Will : 
Perform submitted songs in the state-of-the-art Bank of America Theater at the Festival on May 19. 
Receive complimentary lodging on May 18 and 19. 
Perform Bud Light Stage/sell CDs. 
Have access to the Green Room for the weekend. 
Attend a complimentary breakfast honoring the ten finalists. 
Get to know and hear outstanding nationally known singer-songwriters and join in song circles with the stage goes dark. 
Put on your resume that you were a finalist or winner at Wildflower! 
Be exposed to several venues that book singer-songwriters in Texas. 
Experience a career changing weekend of music and fun sharing your music with other finalists and booked singer/songwriter artists. 

Entry form and rules :http://www.wildflowerfestival.com/singersongwriter.html 
Some of the entries that place 11 - 20 will be invited to perform on the Bud Light Stage 
Your chances of being selected 1 - 20 is at a 1 in:15 odds. (WF only takes 300 entries) 

23rd B.W. STEVENSON MEMORIAL SONGWRITER COMPETITION

SEND YOUR MATERIAL NOW !!! ENTRY DEADLINE 4/9/12

SEND TAPE OR CD OF TWO ORIGINAL SONGS
ALONG WITH A $20 ENTRY FEE TO:

POOR DAVID'S PUB
1313 SOUTH LAMAR ST
Dallas, Texas 75215

BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AND SONG TITLES
12 ENTRIES WILL BE PRE-SELECTED TO PERFORM THEIR
SUBMITTED SONGS IN THE SEMI-FINALS BEFORE 3 JUDGES AT POOR DAVID'S.
6 FINALISTS WILL THEN ADVANCE TO THE FINALS AND BE ASKED TO PERFORM THEIR ORIGINAL ENTRIES PLUS TWO MORE SONGS (4 SONGS TOTAL) BEFORE
3 *DIFFERENT* JUDGES

1ST PLACE WINS $600 AND A PERFORMANCE GIG AT TOMMY ALVERSON'S YEARLY "FAMILY GATHERING" AS WELL AS AN OPENING GIG AT THE PUB FOR A POPULAR TOURING ACT.
SECOND PLACE GETS $50 AND AN OPENING GIG AT THE PUB FOR A POPULAR TOURING ACT.