A Q&A With the Songs That Sync Contest Promotion Winner, Lydia Kaseta
Lydia Kaseta is one of two winners of American Songwriter’s Songs That Sync Promotion for her track, “Black Powder Smoke.” More
December 12, 2025
The American Songwriter Contest Promotions
Offering Special Contest Promotions for Musical Talent
WHAT IS IT?
We are giving artists the chance to attend SXSW 2026 with exclusive VIP access.
OPEN TO
American Songwriter 2026 Song Contest
#1 songwriting competition in the world!
American Songwriter 2026 Road Ready Talent Contest
Looking for emerging musical talent!
GRAND PRIZE WINNER WILL RECEIVE
- SXSW VIP Experience Opportunity
- Travel & Lodging Included (March 16 + 17)
- Official SXSW Music Badge
- Networking with Key Industry Execs
- Custom Wrapped Acoustic Guitar from Gibson Epiphone
- H1H Headphones from Heavys
- Grooviz Package from Groover
- Feature on American Songwriter
- Sizzle Reel Content from Event
- Eligible for all regular contest prizes
- And more!
WHAT IS SXSW?
South by Southwest (SXSW) 2026 is the 40th edition of the iconic Austin, Texas–based festival and conference, running March 12–18, 2026, where music, film & TV, and innovation/tech converge into a single, high-energy week of programming. For the first time in its history, all major tracks run concurrently over seven days, creating a denser, more interconnected experience across downtown Austin.
TIME LEFT TO ENTER
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Promotion Deadline: March 2, 2026, 11:59 PM CST US
Recent Winners
Past Promotion Winners
It’s A Wonderful Write: “A Little Goes A Long Way” by Jayne and Jo
It’s A Wonderful Write (runner-up): “Pot in the Latkes” by MC Flow
March Forward: “Not Going Anywhere” by Makena Hartlin
Spring Breakup: “Got Away” By Ted Moock, Theo Kandel, Casey Smith (Van Buren)
May Flowers: “April doesn’t hurt here” By Sanna Antonia
Sounds Like Summer: “Next To You” By Jeremiah Rozet, Alyssa Jane Richardson (Sunflower Forum)
Sounds Like Summer (runner-up): “Redneck Weekend” By Josie Salvitti, Kelli Johnson, Mike Riley (Josie Sal)
Highway Hits: “Like No One’s Watching” By FLAVIA
Heart Toppers: “I’m Gonna Name a Record After You” By Kennedy Wilde, Sara Bares and Reid Sorel
Home Sweet Home: “My Hometown” By Maura Streppa and Claire Kelly
Songs That Sync: “Gorilla Grip” By Greg Shilling
Songs That Sync: “Black Powder Smoke” By Lydia Kaseta, Nate Sander & Dylan Owen
Songsgiving: “Skeletons” By Marcello Greco
It’s A Wonderful Write: “Office Christmas Party” By Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, Carsie Blanton and Joe Plowman
It’s A Wonderful Write: “Under the Tree” By Sam Palladio and Cassadee Pope
March Forward: “Dollar and A Dream” By SongBird The Goddess
Spring Breakup: “Tell Him About Me” By Preston LeMacks, John Strandell and Jessica LeMacks
Sounds Like Summer: “Chillo” By Jeff Dayton
Highway Hits: “Caffeine & Gasoline” By Scott Voelkerding
Heart Toppers: “i think i might be in love”
By Nate Benson aka bnsn
Home Sweet Home: “I Wanna Go Home” By Trey Hill & Ryan Corn (Younger Sun)
Songs That Sync: “midnight snack” By Kiran + Nivi
“Fire Escape” by Matthew Mayfield
Songsgiving: “Seasons” by Chris McQuistion, Jonathan Jackson & Leslie McKee
SXSW VIP Experience: “Blame Me” By Dakota
May Flowers: “pink moon spring” By Belle Shea
Sounds Like Summer: “Coastline” By my friends call me Mel
Make it Count: “What’s It All Mean?” By The Philharmonik
Heart Toppers: “Dating Isn’t Fun” By Sade Frame
Still Standing: “Boulder” By Matt Jordan
Home Sweet Home: “Drunk In Paris” By Connor Pledger
Songs That Sync: “The Fence” By Josh Adams & “I Think I Like It” By Daniel Read
Songs That Sync: “You Lied” By Caitlynne Curtis
Heart Toppers: “How Forever Sounds” By Chris Nelson
Make Some WAVs: “Your Memory Drinks for Free” By Dennis Gilkey
Home Sweet Home: “Miss Missouri” By Josh Howerton, AJ Mather and Josiah Schools
Autumn Leaves: “Red, Yellow and You” By Josh Parolin
It’s A Wonderful Write: “Secrets For Santa” By Canary Vale
Autumn Leaves: “Seasons” By Arianna Pappas, Joseph Wandass IV and Julia Morey
Songsgiving: “Thank the Ones Who Serve” by Carla Gordon
It’s A Wonderful Write (runner-up): “The Year We Had Nothing For Christmas” by Douglas Westberg
March Forward: “Take it to the Grave” by David Taub
Spring Breakup: “Birthday Cake For Breakfast” By Nancy Johnson
Sounds Like Summer (runner-up): “Borderline Carolina” By Randy Monchick and Jon Decious
Red, Write & Blue: “She Still Waves” By Wesley Tibbets
Highway Hits: “Good Time Comin” By Willie Stone
Autumn Leaves: “LILAC SKIES” By Ralston Wells, Brooke Hatala and Daniel Leathersic
It’s A Wonderful Write: “New Year, New Me” By Daniel Foshee, Marcus Hooper and Alex Perkins
March Forward: “Tomorrow’s On Our Side” By Matt Jaffe
Spring Breakup: “A Prayer in Heaven or a Chance in Hell” by Debby Dever
Sounds Like Summer: “Across the world” By Jan Kolle
Red, Write & Blue: “The Promiseland” By David McMillin
Highway Hits: “The Pedal on the Right” By Elizabeth Grace
Heart Toppers: “Love Lies”
By Corben Champoux, Meagan Brianne Allen & Jolyn Marie Bistodeau
Make Some WAVs:
“Honky Tonk Hair” By Mary Zalla, Bill DiLuigi & Taylor Borton
“life of the party”
By Cat Flint, Tory Grace & Tyler Bank
Home Sweet Home: “Rather Be Lonely” By Madeline Hutchinson
Spring Breakup: “Can’t Hold The River” By Jordon Frank
Sounds Like Summer: “Shade Me In the Summertime” by Sara Leibman
Co-Write Delight: “Make Her Cry” By Joyce Sampson and Kevin Curry
Make It Count: “Let’s LOVE BETTER” By Simone Lazer and Melissa Bollea Rowe
Heart Toppers: “Some Time Next Time” by Robin Mac
Home Sweet Home: “Home By Dinner” By Shawn Chambliss
SXSW VIP Experience: “Weekend Lover” By Ainae
March Forward: “Good Days” by Phoebe Katis
Spring Breakup: “Strangers” By Riell Phillipos, Catherine Bliemel, Laurel Clouston (RIELL)
Lights, Camera, Talent (Music Video): “Medusa” By SkyDxddy
Lights, Camera, Talent (Live Performance): “Days Gone” By Nic Jackson and Melissa Kerry
Highway Hits Grand Prize: “Nothing to Lose” By Douwe Bob
Highway Hits: “Burning Bridges” By EMMMA, Ben Wylen, Andrea Rosario
License to Sync: “King Parade (Take Me Back)” By Noah Vernon, Ethan Reginato
SXSW VIP Experience: “CASTLE DOOR” By Grandmaster
March Forward: “Run” By Ian Brown
Lights, Camera, Talent Music Video: “Rein It In Cowboy” By Haley Spence Brown and Jack Hackett (The Doohickeys)
Lights, Camera, Talent Live Performance: “Mercy” By Julie Odnoralov (julie on the internet), Ruslan Odnoralov and Jeremy Claudio
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 entering a promotion.
Have an additional question? Reach out to us directly below.
If you submit your entry into an eligible contest during a promotion period, it will automatically be included in the promotion.
Note: The promotion will not show up on your receipt.
Special promotions are a way for us to offer additional prizes and recognition to our contest entrants! They only run for a short period of time, and by entering during a promotion period, your submission will be considered for both promotional prizes + the respective contest prizes.
All promotion entries are reviewed and screened by multiple professional songwriters contracted by American Songwriter.
A Q&A With the Songs That Sync Contest Promotion Winner, Greg Shilling
Greg Shilling’s song “Gorilla Grip” has been named one of two winners for American Songwriter’s Songs That Sync Promotion. More
December 12, 2025
A Q&A With the Autumn Leaves Contest Promotion Winner, Josh Parolin
“Red, Yellow and You” Written by Josh Parolin Interview by American Songwriter Josh Parolin is the American Songwriter 2025 Autumn Leaves Contest Promotion winner for his song “Red, Yellow and More
November 25, 2025
A Q&A With the Home Sweet Home Lyric Contest Promotion Winner, Josh Howerton
“Miss Missouri” Written by Josh Howerton, AJ Mather and Josiah Schools Interview by American Songwriter Josh Howerton, AJ Mather and Josiah Schools are the American Songwriter Home Sweet Home Lyric More
November 18, 2025
A Q&A With the Home Sweet Home Song Contest Promotion Winners, Maura Streppa and Claire Kelly
“My Hometown” By Maura Streppa and Claire Kelly Interview by American Songwriter Maura Streppa and Claire Kelly are the American Songwriter Home Sweet Home Song Contest Promotion winners for their More
November 18, 2025
A Q&A With the License to Sync Road Ready Talent Contest Promotion Winner, Noah Vernon
“King Parade (Take Me Back)”Written by Noah Vernon, Ethan ReginatoInterview by American Songwriter Noah Vernon is the American Songwriter License to Sync Road Ready Talent Contest Promotion winner with his More
October 10, 2025
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