American Songwriter’s flagship contest and the world’s largest online platform dedicated to recognizing songwriters and their songs from across the globe.
Founded in 1984 in American Songwriter’s very first issue, the Lyric Contest spotlights the craft of songwriting and the stories that stick.
Talent discovery platform looking for the full package: talent, performance, presence, and brand. Top 3 complete in front of VIP audience for the overall Grand Prize.
InspireMore’s Christian Music contest that provides a powerful platform for emerging songwriters of faith. Contest is in partnership with American Songwriter.
Wide Open Country's signature competition for original country songs, built to amplify standout songwriters. Contest is in partnership with American Songwriter.
The VICE Playlist Project turns a night out into a series of moments. Pick where your song belongs within the playlist and compete for cash, prizes, and global recognition.
Grand Prize Winner:
“Black Powder Smoke” By Lydia Kaseta, Nate Sander and Dylan Owen
Grand Prize Winner:
“This Is Where” By Drew Schueler, Nell Maynard, Claire Flynt
First Place:
“Somebody” By Harper O’Neill, Meg McRee
Second Place:
“American Spirits” By Austin Sawyer (Drumming Bird)
Third Place:
“Milky Way” By Nathalie Nedeljkovic (Nouel)
First Place:
“Walk” By Lauryn Marie
Second Place:
“This Could Be My Last Song” By Frank Watkinson
Third Place:
“Right At The Wrong Time” By Jade Steg
1st Place: 2020 “We Need More” By Taylor Fagins
2nd Place: “Still Life” By Ryan Dilmore
3rd Place: “Two Hearts and a Diamond” By Ava Suppelsa, Jesse Labelle
2026 Grand Prize Winner:
2026 Grand Prize Winner: TBA
Session Winners:
2026 Session One Winners: Learn More
2026 Session Two Winners: Learn More
2026 Session Three Winners: TBA
2026 Session Four Winners: TBA
2026 Session Five Winners: TBA
2026 Session Six Winners: TBA
2025 Grand Prize Winner:
2025 Grand Prize Winner: “Marble and Stone” By Coco Zhai
Session Winners:
2025 Session One Winners: Learn More
2025 Session Two Winners: Learn More
2025 Session Three Winners: Learn More
2025 Session Four Winners: Learn More
2025 Session Five Winners: Learn More
2025 Session Six Winners: Learn More
Grand Prize Winner:
2024 Grand-Prize Winner: “Love Washes Off” By Michael R.J. Roth
Session Winners:
November/December 2024 Lyric Contest Winners: Learn More
September/October 2024 Lyric Contest Winners: Learn More
July/August 2024 Lyric Contest Winners: Learn More
May/June 2024 Lyric Contest Winners: Learn More
March/April 2024 Lyric Contest Winners: Learn More
January/February 2024 Lyric Contest Winners: Learn More
Grand Prize Winner:
2023 Grand-Prize Winner: “Painting Pickets” By Christine Merritt, Gregory Becker, Michelle Creber
Session Winners:
November/December 2023 Lyric Contest Winners: Click Here
September/October 2023 Lyric Contest Winners: Click Here
July/August 2023 Lyric Contest Winners: Click Here
May/June 2023 Lyric Contest Winners: Click Here
March/April 2023 Lyric Contest Winners: Click Here
January/February 2023 Lyric Contest Winners: Click Here
Grand Prize Winner:
2022 Grand Prize Winner: “Long Line of Cars” By Mason Caviness, Emily Rose
Session Winners:
November/December 2022 Lyric Contest Winners: Click Here
September/October 2022 Lyric Contest Winners: Click Here
July/August 2022 Lyric Contest Winners: Click Here
May/June 2022 Lyric Contest Winners: Click Here
March/April 2022 Lyric Contest Winners: Click Here
January/February 2022 Lyric Contest Winners: Click Here
Grand Prize: “Road That Coal Made Black” By Ryan T. Miller
Session One: “Some Boys Grow Up To Be Soldiers” By Brian Estes
Session Two: “Angels” By Diane Smith
Session Three: “Remembered” By Cameron Burleson
Session Four: “Anymore” By Chelsea McWilliams, Tim Allard
Session Five: “Road That Coal Made Black” By Ryan T. Miller
Session Six: “Don’t Waste the Rain” By Chuck Thomas
Grand Prize:“Love Was Just a Word” By Shawn Byrne
Session One: “Asking For A Friend” By Ryan T. Miller
Session Two: “Aphrodite Wire and Wood” By Joe Black
Session Three: “Echo” By Matt Dunn
Session Four: “Love Was Just a Word” By Shawn Byrne
Session Five: “This Long Life” By Mark Miller
Session Six: “The Blindness Excuse” By William Simons
Grand Prize: “Changing (While Staying The Same)” By Mike Guiney
Session One: “Evangeline” By Jeremy Dion
Session Two: “Mary Dyer” By Todd Hearon
Session Three: “Changing (While Staying The Same)” By Mike Guiney
Session Four: “Cradle Of The Moon” By Lucy LeBlanc
Session Five: “Where The River Runs Clear” By Scott D. Smith
Session Six: “Parallel Universes” By Larry E. Black
Grand Prize:“Every Drink Tells A Story (For Merle)” By Gary Hale
Session One: “Every Drink Tells A Story (For Merle)” By Gary Hale
Session Two: “Be Good To Your Woman” By Thurston Wilkes
Session Three: “Country Boy” By Gospel Colten Lyke
Session Four: “Which Way Is Home?” By Brett Gurzick
Session Five: “If I Were A Bottle” By Samantha Elin
Session Six: “The Captain’s Son” By Ryan T. Miller
Grand Prize: “Highway Sky” By Adrian Gronseth
Session One: “Language Of The Broken-hearted” By Mike Guiney
Session Two: “Come And Go Town” By Don Owens
Session Three: “My Prayin’ Knees ” By Patrycya Hill
Session Four: “Highway Sky” By Adrian Gronseth
Session Five: “If It Mattered” By Jane Fallon
Session Six: “Old Habits” By Eryn Michel
Grand Prize: “Billy (Off The Line)” By Mark Rostenko
Session One: “Outlaws” By Lizzie Quinlan
Session Two: “War Stories” By Kevin Dudley
Session Three: “Billy (Off The Line)” By Mark Rostenko
Session Four: “Set In Her Ways” By Rick Leather
Session Five: “Get-Away Car” By Kerann Christopherson
Session Six: “You Make Sense” By Jay Madera
Grand Prize: “Tomorrow’s Just A Promise” By Mike Guiney
Session One: “Lost And Found” By Kristen Sullivan
Session Two: “No Such Thing (As You And Me)” By Owen Danoff
Session Three: “Marriage Ain’t The End of Being Lonely” By Emily Scott Robinson
Session Four: “She Only Loves Me When She Lies” By Heath Johnson
Session Five: “Running Out Of Texas” By Greg Stielstra
Session Six: “Tomorrow’s Just A Promise” By Mike Guiney
Grand Prize: “Lonely Pretty Things” By Blair Bodine
Session One: “Songs I’d Never Sing” By John William Carlson
Session Two: “Fields Of My Heart” By Kyle Cox
Session Three: “Lonely Pretty Things” By Blair Bodine
Session Four: “Smoke” By Matt Jordan
Session Five: “Reasons To Run” By Brittany Hadley
Session Six: “Riptide” By Dave DeWhitt
We’re excited to introduce the judges for American Songwriter’s 2026 Song Contest! This year’s panel brings together an eclectic mix of industry leaders, hitmakers, and visionary artists spanning a wide More
Read below to learn more how our esteemed panel of judges picked the winners for the Session Three 2026 Lyric Contest. Meet the Judges HERE. 1st Place – “Nowhere Tonight” More
“Nowhere Tonight“Written by Jeff DraytonInterview by American Songwriter Jeff Drayton scored 1st place in the Session Three 2026 American Songwriter Lyric Contest for his song “Nowhere Tonight.” American Songwriter caught up with him More
Congratulations to all our Session Three 2026 Lyric Contest winners. Read the winning lyrics for first through fourth place, below. CLICK HERE to enter the 2026 Session Four Lyric Contest. 1st More
Alexandra Turpin is American Songwriter’s Shamrock & Roll Road Ready promotion winner for her song, “Bottoms Up,” which she co-wrote with Evan Sieling. More
MOMA is American Songwriter’s Shamrock & Roll Song Contest promotion winner for their song, “Hey.” More
David Corey is American Songwriter’s Shamrock & Roll Lyric Contest promotion winner for his song, “Ruining Saturday.” More
American Songwriter is excited to announce the Overall Winners of the 2025 Song Contest. After thoughtful review, our panel of judges has selected this year’s Grand Prize Winner, along with More
We’re excited to introduce the judges for the 3rd Annual Road Ready Talent Contest! This year’s panel features a seasoned group of music industry professionals who specialize in discovering, developing, More
