How To Enter

An entry fee is required for each submission. Standard entry is $15 per submission, with promotional pricing (such as early-bird discounts) offered periodically. Each entry must be paid individually and is payable digitally to American Songwriter. By entering, you agree that this entry fee is necessary to cover the processing and administration of the Contest. You may enter as many songs as you’d like; each entry requires a separate fee.

Videos by American Songwriter

All songs entered must be original compositions with all song authors credited. Only valid streaming URL links will be accepted (e.g., YouTube, SoundCloud, Spotify). Please double-check URL links before entering. American Songwriter is not responsible for issuing refunds based on broken, private, or otherwise invalid links. We are not accepting MP3 files. You may enter a variety of recording styles, including demos, work tapes, and finished masters. We require the song to be clearly audible in the recording and to present the song in its fullest light. You may enter online only via americansongwriter.com.

Refunds WILL NOT be issued under any circumstances.

PLEASE NOTE: No feedback will be provided on the songs entered into the Contest.

Stages, Deadlines & Schedule

The Contest is conducted in three (3) Stages per year. Each Stage consists of a submission window of approximately three (3) months, followed by finalist selection and a live Showcase. Finalists are notified within approximately thirty (30) days of a Stage’s close, and the live Showcase takes place approximately thirty (30) days thereafter (approximately sixty (60) days from close to Showcase).

Each Stage is a separate, standalone contest. Entering one Stage does not enter you in any other Stage, and there is no advancement between Stages: each Stage has its own submission window, finalists, Showcase, and winner.

Submission deadlines for each Stage are 11:59:59 PM CT on the dates published at americansongwriter.com and announced via email. American Songwriter reserves the right to extend any deadline, change entry fees, adjust Stage dates, or modify any other Contest detail at any point and for any reason.

American Songwriter may, in its sole discretion, introduce additional events, including a year-end or invitational event featuring finalists or winners from one or more Stages. Any such event will be governed by its own separate terms, announced at americansongwriter.com.

Eligibility

The Contest is open to any songwriter, artist, musician, and/or band from anywhere in the world. The following parties are not eligible: (i) employees, independent contractors, and affiliates of American Songwriter or any of its affiliated companies, and their immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, and siblings, and their respective spouses); (ii) contributors to the Contest, including judges, screeners, and other contributors as we may determine on a case-by-case basis; (iii) employees, contractors, and affiliates of Contest Sponsors; and (iv) persons living in the same household as any of the individuals listed above. “Sponsors” means companies or entities that provide sponsorship, prizing, or promotional support for the Contest, as identified in Contest materials.

By submitting, you represent that you (and all associated co-writers on your submission) are not employed by or affiliated with American Songwriter, its affiliates, the Contest, or any Contest Sponsor, and have not been at any time during the previous two (2) years. You represent and warrant that (a) all registration information you submit is truthful and accurate; (b) you will maintain the accuracy of such information; and (c) your entry does not violate any applicable law or regulation.

If you are under 18 years of age, you must have permission and clearance to enter the Contest from your parent or legal guardian. Entry of the Contest is void where prohibited.

Rights, Authorship & Ownership

Ownership and Authority. By entering, you represent and warrant that you own, or have obtained all necessary rights, permissions, and licenses to, the song you submit, and that you have full authority to submit it and to grant the rights described in these Terms. You further represent that all song authors and co-writers are credited.

No Infringement. You represent and warrant that your submission is an original composition and does not infringe or violate the copyrights, trademarks, publicity rights, privacy rights, contract rights, or any other rights of any person or entity.

Name, Image & Likeness (NIL). Submissions may not simulate, replicate, imitate, or otherwise exploit the voice, likeness, name, image, or distinctive characteristics of any identifiable individual, including any artist, celebrity, or public figure. This prohibition applies regardless of how the submission was created.

Ownership Disputes. American Songwriter is not responsible for resolving ownership, authorship, or rights disputes between collaborators, co-writers, contributors, or third parties. You assume all risk related to authorship, ownership, and rights associated with your submission.

Verification. American Songwriter reserves the right, at any stage of the Contest, to request additional information about the ownership or creation of any submission and to disqualify, in its sole discretion, any submission it cannot reasonably verify.

Judging & Winner Selection

This Contest is a talent and skill-based business event. All entries are judged based on the merit of the overall songs (performance, lyric, melody & originality). Finalist selection is a talent-based determination made by American Songwriter’s editorial team.

Finalist Selection (Editorial). All entries are first screened by professional artists and songwriters contracted by American Songwriter, in conjunction with American Songwriter’s editorial team. From all songs entered in a Stage, American Songwriter’s editorial team selects three (3) finalists, based on performance, lyrics, melody, likability, originality, and overall composition. American Songwriter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to host more than three finalists at any Stage. Finalists are invited to perform at that Stage’s live Showcase.

Winner Selection (Live Showcase). The Stage winner is determined at the live Showcase using a fixed weighting, applied identically at each Stage:

• 40% — public online voting;
• 40% — public in-person voting, cast at the live Showcase; and
• 20% — American Songwriter editorial scoring.

The three components are combined into a single score for each finalist; the finalist with the highest total score is the Stage winner. The 20% editorial share is applied in every Stage, not only in the event of a tie. If two or more finalists have an identical total score, the finalist with the higher editorial score wins; if still tied, the finalist with the higher in-person vote share wins. Public online voting is also used to set the Showcase run of show, with the highest online vote-getter performing in the closing slot.

Voting Integrity. Public voting is administered by American Songwriter, whose determination and tabulation are final. Online voting opens when finalists are announced and closes on the morning of the Showcase at a time set and published by American Songwriter, at which point the online tally and the Showcase run of show are final. Online voting is limited to one vote per verified person (i.e., email) per day, subject to fraud-prevention and rate controls. In-person voting is limited to one ballot per attendee, cast during the live Showcase. American Songwriter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to void any vote or ballot it reasonably believes to be fraudulent, duplicative, or otherwise non-compliant, and to disqualify any finalist who participates in or benefits from vote manipulation.

Winner Notification. American Songwriter will notify the winner and finalists by the email address and/or phone number associated with their entry, and all results will be posted at americansongwriter.com and announced via email. If a notified winner does not respond within seven (7) days, American Songwriter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to select the next highest-ranked eligible finalist in their place, consistent with the Live Showcase Participation & Substitution terms below. Entrants who are not selected as finalists will not receive individual notifications but will be notified of results via email.

Prizes

Each Stage awards prize(s) as described in that Stage’s promotional materials at americansongwriter.com. Prize type and value may vary from Stage to Stage, and full details are made available at the time of submission. All selected finalists, regardless of outcome, receive: a live Showcase performance, an American Songwriter editorial feature, and social promotion to American Songwriter’s audience. American Songwriter reserves the right to substitute any prize with one of equal or greater value.

Taxes. The winner is solely responsible for all federal, state, local, and, where applicable, foreign taxes, and for any fees or expenses associated with acceptance or use of the prize. As a condition of receiving any prize, the winner must complete and return any tax documentation American Songwriter reasonably requires (including, for U.S. winners, an IRS Form W-9, and for non-U.S. winners, an applicable IRS Form W-8) before the prize is issued. American Songwriter will report prize payments as required by law and may withhold taxes where required. International winners are responsible for any and all customs fees for delivery of physical prizes.

Minors. If a winner is under 18 years of age, any prize will be awarded to the winner’s parent or legal guardian on the winner’s behalf, subject to American Songwriter’s verification requirements.

Live Showcase Participation & Substitution

Participation Generally. At any stage of the Contest, American Songwriter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute any participant who is unable to fulfill required participation obligations (including, but not limited to, interviews, promotional activities, rehearsals, or live events) with the next highest-ranked eligible entry, as determined by American Songwriter.

Live Showcase Participation Requirement. Artists selected as finalists are expected to participate in the designated live Showcase in person as a condition of their finalist status and eligibility for finalist-specific prizes and benefits. Participation in the live Showcase is required to win.

Inability to Participate. If a finalist is unable to perform at the scheduled Showcase after being formally notified and confirmed by American Songwriter, for any reason (including but not limited to illness, scheduling conflicts, travel restrictions, or personal emergencies), American Songwriter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to select another finalist to compete for the prize pool in their place.

Notification and Timing. American Songwriter will notify affected participants as soon as practicable after determining that a substitution is necessary, typically within forty-eight (48) to seventy-two (72) hours where feasible. Any alternate participant selected will be subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to the originally selected participant.

Forfeiture of Finalist Benefits. Participants who are unable to participate in the live Showcase forfeit all finalist-specific prizes, benefits, and opportunities associated with the Showcase, unless American Songwriter determines otherwise in its sole discretion.

Showcase Recording & Capture Rights

By accepting finalist status, each finalist grants American Songwriter and its designees the right to photograph, film, audio- and video-record, livestream, broadcast, and otherwise capture their live Showcase performance, image, likeness, name, voice, and biographical information, and to use, edit, reproduce, publicly display, distribute, and exploit such captures in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity, for purposes of operating, documenting, and promoting the Contest and American Songwriter, without further notice, payment, or consideration. Finalists are responsible for clearing the same rights for any additional musicians or guests they bring to the Showcase.

Content

We do NOT claim ownership in the materials you submit in conjunction with the Contest. Such materials include written text, files, images, photos, video, songs, lyrics, poetry, sounds, musical works, works of authorship, remarks, suggestions, ideas, graphics, tags, hashtags, genres, splits, ownership splits, identifiable numbers, identifiable codes, songwriter name, personal identifiable information, copyright registration information, affiliated companies or individuals, rights holder, administrator, publisher, or any other materials (collectively, “Content”) that you display, upload, transfer, publish, or post to americansongwriter.com, whether public or private. By submitting any Content through the Contest, whether public or private, you hereby grant to us a limited, non-exclusive license to use, stream, transmit, beam, store, publicly display, translate, reproduce, and distribute such Content, in any format, whether known or unknown, including the limited right to use your likeness, persona, logo, trademark, and right(s) of publicity ONLY for purposes of the Contest.

By entering the Contest, you represent and warrant that your entry is an original work and that the Content does not violate the privacy rights, publicity rights, copyrights, trademarks, contract rights, or any other rights of any person or business.

By making an entry into the Contest, the entrant acknowledges and agrees that American Songwriter may obtain many entries under this Contest and that such entries may be similar or identical in theme, idea, format, or other respects to others submitted under this Contest and/or created or developed by American Songwriter on its own or by those working on American Songwriter’s behalf, and/or other promotions staged and/or led by American Songwriter, and waives any and all claims entrant may have had, may have, and/or may have in the future, that any similar entry, and/or other works accepted, reviewed, and/or used by American Songwriter (or its designees) may be similar to entrant’s entry. Entrant acknowledges and agrees that American Songwriter does not have now, nor shall it have in the future, any duty or liability, direct or indirect, vicarious, contributory, or otherwise, with respect to the infringement or protection of any copyright in and to entrant’s entry.

Indemnification

By entering, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless American Songwriter, its parent and affiliated companies, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, partners, Sponsors, contest judges and screeners, and successors (collectively, the “American Songwriter Parties”) from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) any breach of your representations, warranties, or obligations under these Terms; (b) any actual or alleged infringement of any copyright, trademark, trade secret, publicity right, privacy right, or other proprietary right of any third party arising from your submission; (c) the unauthorized use of any material incorporated into your submission, including samples, interpolations, sound recordings, compositions, lyrics, or artwork; (d) any violation of NIL rights, including unauthorized voice cloning, likeness replication, or impersonation of any identifiable individual; (e) any dispute between you and any co-writer, collaborator, contributor, or third party regarding authorship, ownership, or rights in your submission; and (f) any claim that your submission, or American Songwriter’s authorized use of it, infringes or misappropriates a third party’s rights.

Your indemnification obligations survive the conclusion of the Contest and any termination of these Terms. American Songwriter reserves the right, at its own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you, in which case you agree to cooperate fully.

Contest Special Promotions

American Songwriter offers limited-time special promotions in conjunction with the Contest. By entering during an active promotion period, you agree to all regular Contest terms and conditions, as well as the following promotion terms:

Eligibility and Entry. If you submit your song to an eligible Stage during a promotion period, your entry is automatically included in the promotion. No additional steps are required.

How Promotions Differ from Regular Contests. Promotions are special, short-term opportunities to win additional prizes beyond those offered in the standard Contest. By submitting during a promotional period, your entry will be considered for both the promotional prizes and the regular Contest prizes.

Judging. All entries submitted during a promotion period are reviewed and evaluated by professional artists and songwriters contracted by American Songwriter.

Right to Modify. American Songwriter reserves the right to change deadlines, entry fees, prize packages, or any other Contest or promotion details at any time and for any reason. Promotion-specific terms (including any additional eligibility requirements, such as minimum age for certain prizes) will be published with each promotion.

Other Rules & Regulations

By entering the Contest through americansongwriter.com, you expressly agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy listed on the American Songwriter website, the contractual terms of which are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent that the terms of this Contest conflict with any other agreement, the terms of this Contest shall take priority. American Songwriter reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the rules herein outlined, with no obligation to return any entry fee. We expressly disclaim any warranty and we cannot guarantee and do not promise any specific results.

In no event shall we be liable to you or any third party for any indirect, consequential, exemplary, incidental, statutory, special, or punitive damages, including lost profit damages arising from your entry into the Contest. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, our liability to you for any cause whatsoever and regardless of the form of the action will at all times be limited to the amount paid, if any, by you.

Conflict Resolution

The parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement promptly by negotiation between persons who have authority to settle the controversy. Any party may give the other party written notice of any dispute not resolved in the normal course of business. If not resolved, any dispute, claim or controversy (i.e., contractual, tort, and/or statutory) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be determined EXCLUSIVELY by arbitration in Nashville, Tennessee before one arbitrator. The arbitration shall be administered by either AAA or JAMS. This Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee, exclusive of conflict or choice of law rules. Void where prohibited.

Prize Deliveries

Prize delivery of all prizes will be coordinated via email. Any consultation, mentorship, or production sessions included in a prize will be scheduled at a mutually agreed time. If any prize is not fulfilled within 180 days of the official winner announcement, it is the responsibility of the winner to notify American Songwriter in writing. If the winner fails to notify American Songwriter of any outstanding prizes within 180 days, American Songwriter can no longer guarantee prize fulfillment.

Contact

For questions or issues regarding the Contest, please email info@americansongwriter.com.