Congratulations to all our Session One 2026 Lyric Contest winners. Read the winning lyrics for first through fourth place, below. CLICK HERE to enter the 2026 Session Two Lyric Contest. 1st More
“Heaven Ain’t The First Place“Written by Chris NelsonInterview by American Songwriter Chris Nelson scored 1st place in the Session One 2026 American Songwriter Lyric Contest for his song “Heaven Ain’t The More
American Songwriter is excited to announce the official 2025 Lyric Contest Grand Prize Winner. We are honored to have Joy Oladokun, the 2025 Dream Co-Write songwriter, make the official announcement More
“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
“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
Congratulations to all our Session Six 2025 Lyric Contest winners. Read the winning lyrics for first through fourth place, below. CLICK HERE to enter the 2026 Session One Lyric Contest. 1st More
When I won for 'Old Habits’ in 2017, it changed my entire songwriting life to that point. I met people and got opportunities to perform that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I hope all songwriters are able to get out there and find their community and win just by showing up to see where the song will take them.
Keep entering, keep co-writing, and keep learning and listening to the music that inspires you. The deadlines can help push something close to finishing over that line and nothing feels as good as when you get a new song finished and out to the world.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’m so happy to have had. It makes me want to write better songs and has shown me that there can be a way forward for me in this songwriting journey, and I’m grateful for that.