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Since 1984, the American Songwriter Lyric Contest has helped aspiring songwriters get noticed and have fun.

Enter your lyrics for your chance to win a high-end guitar and a full page feature in the May/June American Songwriter Issue.

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Now accepting lyrics for the May/June Issue Lyric Contest

1st Place Prizes:

  • Full page feature in and promotion across American Songwriter
  • Out of the 6 bi-monthly Lyric Contest winners, one annual Grand Prize winner will receive a “Dream Day” on Music Row
  • 1 Year Songcraft Pro subscription

Runner Ups and Honorable Mentions:

  • Top 4 get their lyrics placed in American Songwriter
  • Ten "Honorable Mentions" are placed in American Songwriter by writer, hometown, and song title
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Win a 1 page feature in the May/June 2021 Issue

Featured in this image is the current contest winner, Brian Estes, with his song “Some Boys Grow Up To Be Soldiers”.

Win the "Dream Day on Music Row" with Robert Earl Keen

This year's Dream Day on Music Row includes:

  • Round Trip Flight to Nashville (domestic only)
  • Professional Demo Session (1 song) at Omni Sound Studios
  • Two nights at Union Station Hotel Nashville, Autograph Collection
  • "Dream Co-Write" with Robert Earl Keen
  • Lifetime subscription to Songcraft Pro

2019 Winner Mike Guiney's Dream Day on Music Row

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Hear from Past Winners

From Lyric Contest Win to Billboard #1

From Lyric Contest Win to Signed by Jimmy Buffett

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Meet the Contest Judges

Get your lyrics in front of...

Art Alexakis from Everclear: Singer-songwriter and guitarist behind the iconic alt-rock outfit Everclear. Through his 29 year career, Alexakis has 12 studio releases, numerous videos, a Grammy nomination, and several hits.
Art Alexakis from Everclear: Singer-songwriter and guitarist behind the iconic alt-rock outfit Everclear. Through his 29 year career, Alexakis has 12 studio releases, numerous videos, a Grammy nomination, and several hits.
KT Tunstall: Sundance Film Institute’s Composers Lab fellow, Tunstall has scored music for short and feature films. Aside from scoring a worldwide smash debut album Eye To The Telescope, she was awarded the Inspirational Artist gong at the Women In Music Awards and was chosen as the first-ever female Grand Marshal to lead April 2018’s annual New York Tartan Week parade.
KT Tunstall: Sundance Film Institute’s Composers Lab fellow, Tunstall has scored music for short and feature films. Aside from scoring a worldwide smash debut album Eye To The Telescope, she was awarded the Inspirational Artist gong at the Women In Music Awards and was chosen as the first-ever female Grand Marshal to lead April 2018’s annual New York Tartan Week parade.
Kevin Bacon and Michael Bacon
The Bacon Brothers: Kevin & Michael Bacon twenty years ago created a unique sound “Forosoco” which is short for “Folk, Rock, Soul, Country”. They’ve been featured by the BBC, Associated Press, Sirius XM, Paste Magazine and The Huffington Post.
The Milk Carton Kids: three-time Grammy-nominated American indie-folk duo from Eagle Rock, California, consisting of singers and guitarists Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan, who began making music together in early 2011. The band has recorded and released six albums.
The Milk Carton Kids: three-time Grammy-nominated American indie-folk duo from Eagle Rock, California, consisting of singers and guitarists Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan, who began making music together in early 2011. The band has recorded and released six albums.
Eric Earley: With an impressive career in music, Earley toured and wrote as Blitzen Trapper for over a decade, with many songs appearing in films and TV.
Eric Earley: With an impressive career in music, Earley toured and wrote as Blitzen Trapper for over a decade, with many songs appearing in films and TV.
Lindsay Ell: Accomplished musician, unique vocalist and awe-inspiring songwriter who has toured with Luke Bryan, Buddy Guy, and Keith Urban. She has been nominated for New Female Artist of the Year in both 2019 and 2020, in addition to her 2020 ACM nomination of Music Event of the Year. Ell also won the 2020 CCMA Interactive Artist or Group of the Year for the second year in a row.
Lindsay Ell: Accomplished musician, unique vocalist and awe-inspiring songwriter who has toured with Luke Bryan, Buddy Guy, and Keith Urban. She has been nominated for New Female Artist of the Year in both 2019 and 2020, in addition to her 2020 ACM nomination of Music Event of the Year. Ell also won the 2020 CCMA Interactive Artist or Group of the Year for the second year in a row.
Eric Hutchinson: International platinum-selling singer, songwriter and seasoned touring artist. He’s shared the stage with Jason Mraz, Amos Lee, Ingrid Michaelson, O.A.R. and Michael Franti. Aside from being a #1 multinational hit, his single “Rock & Roll” earned him his first gold record in the US.
Eric Hutchinson: International platinum-selling singer, songwriter and seasoned touring artist. He’s shared the stage with Jason Mraz, Amos Lee, Ingrid Michaelson, O.A.R. and Michael Franti. Aside from being a #1 multinational hit, his single “Rock & Roll” earned him his first gold record in the US.
Todd Sheaffer: Lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for Railroad Earth, his band blends progressive bluegrass, folk, rock, country, jazz, Celtic and other Americana influences for their unique sound.
Todd Sheaffer: Lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for Railroad Earth, his band blends progressive bluegrass, folk, rock, country, jazz, Celtic and other Americana influences for their unique sound.
Tenille Townes: Two-time ACM award-winning artist in the midst of a breakthrough year following the release of her acclaimed debut album. She was named Female Artist of the Year at the 55th ACM Awards, won three awards at the 2020 Canadian Country Music Awards and is the first female in Mediabase Canada history to achieve two #1 singles with album tracks.
Tenille Townes: Two-time ACM award-winning artist in the midst of a breakthrough year following the release of her acclaimed debut album. She was named Female Artist of the Year at the 55th ACM Awards, won three awards at the 2020 Canadian Country Music Awards and is the first female in Mediabase Canada history to achieve two #1 singles with album tracks.
Mike Doughty: Released 11 albums in the past decade where Doughty explores electro produced tracks and his opera. He has posted well over 150 weekly new songs for his Patreon subscribers over the past few years.
Mike Doughty: Released 11 albums in the past decade where Doughty explores electro produced tracks and his opera. He has posted well over 150 weekly new songs for his Patreon subscribers over the past few years.
Caroline Jones: Named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Country Artists You Need to Know” and Billboard’s “15 Country Artists to Watch.” She toured with some of country’s biggest names including Jimmy Buffett & the Eagles, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, Sara Evans and Lee Brice, among other performances. As the host of Sirius XM’s Art & Soul, Caroline interviews musicians about their craft and creating the perfect song.
Caroline Jones: Named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Country Artists You Need to Know” and Billboard’s “15 Country Artists to Watch.” She toured with some of country’s biggest names including Jimmy Buffett & the Eagles, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, Sara Evans and Lee Brice, among other performances. As the host of Sirius XM’s Art & Soul, Caroline interviews musicians about their craft and creating the perfect song.
John King: The 2020 Pandora Artist To Watch has garnered over 30 million all-time streams. He scored his first number one as a songwriter with Randy Houser’s “We Went”, and has been awarded an ASCAP Songwriter award. King also scored a Top 40 hit on country radio as an artist with his debut single “Tonight, Tonight.”
John King: The 2020 Pandora Artist To Watch has garnered over 30 million all-time streams. He scored his first number one as a songwriter with Randy Houser’s “We Went”, and has been awarded an ASCAP Songwriter award. King also scored a Top 40 hit on country radio as an artist with his debut single “Tonight, Tonight.”
Liz Vice: American gospel, soul and R&B artist from Portland, Oregon. Both her albums There’s A Light (2015) and latest Save Me (2018) debuted on Billboard’s Gospel chart.
Liz Vice: American gospel, soul and R&B artist from Portland, Oregon. Both her albums There’s A Light (2015) and latest Save Me (2018) debuted on Billboard’s Gospel chart.
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Contest FAQ

How much does it cost?

$15 per song

How do I submit my lyrics?

Copy and paste your lyrics into the form below.

Do I maintain ownership of my lyrics?

Yes! We do NOT claim ownership in the materials you submit in conjunction with the Contest.

Click here to see Contest Rules

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Copy/paste your lyrics into the "Song Title & Lyrics" field

Evergreen Lyric Contest Form

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The entry fee is $15.00 per song. You may submit as many entries as you like for each contest.
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