The American Songwriter Song Contest - American Songwriter

The American Songwriter Song Contest

2026 Song Contest Now with New Judges, Categories & More!

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The American Songwriter Song Contest

2025 Song Contest Open Now with New Judges, Categories & More!
ENTER SONGS NOW

Win $10k in cash, receive A&R mentorship, be featured in American Songwriter Magazine & More!

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SHAMROCK & ROLL PROMOTION OPEN NOW

Got a drinking song? Enter your best celebration-inspired track into American Songwriter’s Contests for our brand-new SHAMROCK & ROLL promotion.

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Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Promotion Deadline: March 23, 2026, 11:59 CST US

🍀 $500 in Cash
🍀 Feature on American Songwriter
🍀 One Year American Songwriter Membership
🍀 One Year Bourbon+ Magazine Subscription
🍀 Eligible for all respective contest prizes

2025 Semi-Finalists Announced

2025 Song Contest Prizes
  • $10,000 USD in Cash
  • Mentorship with Leslie Fram
  • 2-page Feature in American Songwriter Magazine
  • Brand New Custom Premium Acoustic Guitar
  • International Promotion of Your Album + Radio Tracking Provided by:  Play MPE and MTR.
  • Social Media Collab Post on American Songwriter’s socials
  • Premium Studio Recording Time
  • Publishing Deal Opportunity with Savage Music
  • American Songwriter Membership
  • $1,000 USD in Cash
  • Feature in American Songwriter Magazine
  • International Promotion of Your Single + Radio Tracking Provided By Play MPE and MTR 
  • Dedicated Social Media Post on American Songwriter’s socials
  • American Songwriter Membership
  • And more to be announced!
  • $500 USD in Cash
  • Feature on American Songwriter
  • American Songwriter Membership
  • And More to be announced!
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Meet the 2025 Song Contest Judges
Old Dominion, a Multi-Platinum country band, blends clever lyrics with an infectious sound, earning nine No. 1 singles and over five billion streams.
Dylan Scott, a multi-Platinum Curb Records artist with five No. 1 hits, is headlining the Country Till I Die Tour and releasing Livin' My Best Life (Still).
Toronto-born JP Saxe, a multi-platinum singer-songwriter with 3 billion streams, returns with Articulate Excuses, his most personal project, solidifying his place in introspective pop.
Dayglow (Sloan Struble), a multi-platinum indie pop artist, has billions of streams and viral hits across albums like Fuzzybrain, Harmony House, People In Motion, and DAYGLOW.
GRAMMY®-nominated producer and multi-instrumentalist ALISSIA, known for her unique sound, has collaborated with Anderson .Paak, Bruno Mars, and others.
Nate Smith, a country vocal powerhouse with 2.2 billion streams, three platinum No. 1s, and major awards, including ACM New Male Artist, is a breakout star.
Bear Rinehart, frontman of NEEDTOBREATHE and solo artist Wilder Woods, has sold millions of albums, raised $12M for causes, and blends rock, soul, and R&B.
Dasha, known for her introspective style, earned praise for her song “Austin” and sold out her Dashville, U.S.A tour. She is also opening for Thomas Rhett and Kane Brown.
Alana Springsteen, a rising country star with 340 million streams, gained acclaim with TWENTY SOMETHING and joins Keith Urban on his 2024 HIGH AND ALIVE tour.
Beach Bunny, known for viral hits like “Prom Queen” and “Sports,” has earned over a billion streams and critical acclaim.
GRAMMY-nominated Ryan Ellis blends worship, Pop, and R&B. Known for hits like "I Thank God," his latest album Real Love explores empathy and faith, with notable collaborations.
Lanie Gardner, a CMT Next Up Artist from the Appalachian Mountains, blends rock and country. She is currently touring with Corey Kent and debuting at Stagecoach in 2025.
Kenyon Dixon, a 3X GRAMMY-nominated artist, redefines R&B with smooth vocals. A sought-after collaborator, Dixon’s work spans legends like Mary J. Blige and Justin Timberlake.
Tigirlily Gold, a sister duo from North Dakota, blends empowering anthems in their debut album Blonde (2024). Nominated for CMT and People’s Choice, they’re set for 2025 success.
Alt-pop trio Nightly, featured on Alt Nation and SiriusXM, is hailed by Square One Magazine as top-tier modern alt and named a HITS Daily Double Artist to Watch.
Leland, a Golden Globe-nominated artist and producer, has written hits for Troye Sivan, Cher, BTS, and more. He’s also a composer and mentor for RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Noah Rinker, a self-taught musician from California’s mountains, blends raw lyricism with heartfelt storytelling in songs like “Save My Soul” and “I Hope It Hurts.”
Irish trio Amble, blending folk and intimate storytelling, has 100 million streams and sold-out shows. Signed to Warner Records, their debut LP Reverie drops in 2025.
Mexican-American artist MŌRIAH blends Latin Country and mariachi in her debut single "Hasta Mañana," celebrating diversity and uplifting women of color through her heritage and family stories.
Nashville’s Lauren Watkins debuted The Heartbroken Record (2024), opened for Morgan Wallen, and will tour with Riley Green, Lainey Wilson, and more while releasing new music.
Patrick Droney, artist and producer, has millions of streams, collaborated with Kygo and Billy Gibbons, toured with Sheryl Crow, and is working on his third album.
Twinnie, blending country and pop, made her Opry debut in 2023, was named one of CMT's Next Women of Country in 2024.
Latin GRAMMY-winning Puerto Rican artist GALE is a bilingual singer-songwriter known for blending pop, punk, and raw emotion with fearless, genre-defying Latin music.
Fantastic Negrito overcame adversity to win NPR’s first Tiny Desk Contest, earn 3 GRAMMYs, collaborate with stars, and founded Revolution Plantation for youth empowerment through urban farming.
Mackenzie Carpenter, a Georgia native and songwriter, has penned hits like “Villain” (Lily Rose) and “I’m Not Pretty” (Megan Moroney).
Christian Lee Hutson, known for his raw lyrics, follows Quitters (2022) with Paradise Pop. 10 (produced by Phoebe Bridgers), exploring memory, pain, and healing through his music.
Lucky Diaz, Latin Grammy winner and GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, creates vibrant, bilingual family music. He’s praised by NPR, Billboard, and NYT for celebrating culture and joy.
EMMY and multi-GRAMMY winner Narada Michael Walden produced hits for icons like Aretha, Whitney, Mariah, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Beck, and more across decades.
The Baylor Project, an 8x GRAMMY-nominated duo, blends jazz, gospel, blues, and soul—celebrating love, faith, and culture with deep church roots and a commitment to community.
As a 20-year veteran of BMI, Cox has been a critical force in the songwriter community, and has helped shape the careers of songwriters, including Lady Gaga, Halsey, My Chemical Romance, and many others.
Kohli joined the Warner Music Nashville A&R team in 2017, working extensively with GRAMMY® Award-winning duo Dan + Shay and 3x GRAMMY®-nominee Ingrid Andress.
Joe Ferrari, founder of FMG, is a veteran music executive focused on talent development, strategic growth, and authentic industry and community engagement worldwide.
Sam Hollander is a multi-platinum songwriter/producer behind hits like Panic! At The Disco’s “High Hopes,” with 23 Top 40 hits and credits spanning One Direction, Ringo Starr, and more.
Leslie Fram, FEMco Founder & CEO, is a veteran music executive and advocate empowering artists through strategic development, talent booking, and industry connection in Nashville.
David Ryan Harris is a versatile singer, songwriter, and producer whose collaborations span genres, working with icons like John Mayer, Mariah Carey, and Alicia Keys.
Jeff Cohen is a 6x BMI Award winning, Grammy and CMT Award Nominated Songwriter/Producer/Publisher whose songs have appeared on over 25 million albums sold, over 100 placements in TV/Film and over 10 million video games.

Click Here to Read More About the 2025 Song Contest Judges Panel

Categories To Enter
Americana blends folk, country, blues, and rock roots, featuring acoustic instrumentation, heartfelt lyrics, and strong storytelling traditions.
Blues features soulful vocals, expressive guitar-driven instrumentation, and emotional themes of hardship and resilience, often built around classic 12-bar structures.
Children’s music entertains and educates young audiences with catchy melodies, simple lyrics, and playful, age-appropriate themes.
Christian music centers on faith-based themes of worship, praise, and devotion, expressed across a wide range of musical styles.
Comedy/Novelty songs use humor, satire, and playful storytelling to entertain with originality and lighthearted creativity.
Contemporary Country blends modern production with country storytelling.
Electronic/Dance music uses electronic production, pulsing beats, and high-energy drops to create rhythmic, club- and festival-ready soundscapes.
Folk/Singer-Songwriter music emphasizes acoustic instrumentation, intimate vocals, and lyrical depth rooted in personal storytelling.
Global Music celebrates traditional and contemporary styles from around the world, highlighting diverse instruments, rhythms, and cultural expression.
Golden is open to songwriters age 50 and older, celebrating creativity and excellence across all musical genres.
Hip-Hop/Rap features rhythmic beats, spoken rhymes, and expressive lyrical flow, often highlighting storytelling, wordplay, and cultural commentary.
Indie music values artistic freedom and experimentation, spanning diverse styles while showcasing distinctive sounds and independent spirit.
Instrumental music relies solely on melody, harmony, and rhythm, using musical instruments to convey emotion without vocals.
Jazz is defined by improvisation, complex harmonies, and rhythmic syncopation, highlighting expressive musicianship and spontaneous performance.
Latin music encompasses vibrant styles from Latin America and Spain, featuring rich rhythms, lively instrumentation, and diverse cultural influences.
Music Video entries combine original songs with compelling visual storytelling, evaluating both musical quality and production creativity.
Musical Theatre features character-driven songs written for the stage to advance story, emotion, and dramatic performance.
Pop music delivers catchy hooks, polished production, and broad appeal, blending contemporary influences into accessible, radio-ready songs.
R&B/Soul highlights smooth, emotive vocals, groove-driven arrangements, and deep roots in rhythm and blues and gospel traditions.
Rock is driven by electric guitars, bass, and drums, featuring powerful riffs, dynamic energy, and expressive vocals.
Sync Ready songs are professionally produced, commercially appealing tracks crafted for placement in film, television, advertising, and media.
Teen is open to songwriters age 18 or younger as of December 31, 2026, across all genres and styles.
Traditional Country honors classic country roots with twang-driven instrumentation, storytelling lyrics, and timeless themes of love and heartache.
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Meet Past Song Contest Winners

2024 Song Contest Winner | "This is Where" By Drew Schueler
2023 Song Contest Winner | "What's It All Mean?" By Christian Gates-Bahlhorn
2022 Song Contest Winner |
"Somebody" By Harper O'Neill, Meg Mcree
2021 Song Contest Winner |
"Walk" By Lauryn Marie
2020 Song Contest Winner |
We Need More" By Taylor Fagins

Click to View Past Winners and Success Stories!

Frequently asked questions

If you’re still deciding whether to enter, you’re probably wondering how it all works. Here’s everything you need to know before beginning your entry process.

Have an additional question? Reach out to us directly below. 

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Deadline is December 7, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM (CT)

Yes! We do NOT claim any rights to the songs entered into the contest.

Yes! Submissions from any country are allowed.

No, production quality is NOT a factor in the review.

Copy and paste a public link to your songs into the form at checkout. They can be hosted on any streaming platform: Spotify, SoundCloud, Google Drive, YouTube, etc.

To edit your entry please email our Customer Relations team at [email protected] with your Order ID and the edit you need to make.

*Note: We cannot guarantee that we will be able to edit your entry if you contact us more than 2 weeks after your entry date.

Per our rules, American Songwriter does not provide feedback on song contest entries.

If you are interested in having your lyrics or song reviewed, we offer a critiques benefit included in our Diamond Memberships.

The winners of the 2025 Song Contest will be announced via email and on our website in the Spring 2026.

Note: Promotion winners are announced throughout the contest. 

Click here to see all Contest Rules

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