2027 Contest Now Open
The American Songwriter Lyric Contest
Session One is open. Fifteen finalists featured every session, and a shot at the Dream Day on Music Row.
Session One closes November 15 · 11:59 PM CT
Entered the 2026 contest? Session Six winners are announced in November 2026.
Got a song about home?
For two weeks we're listening for Home Sweet Home: songs and lyrics about the place you're from and the people in it. Family and roots, storms and shelter, the door you keep coming back to. Every entry still counts toward your regular contest prizes.
One winner from each contest receives:
Open to 2026 Song Contest and Lyric Contest entries submitted September 16 – September 30, 2026. One Home Sweet Home winner is selected from each contest. Every entry is also judged for all regular contest prizes. Studio recording day is at a professional studio designated by American Songwriter and must be redeemed within 180 days; past that, delivery isn't guaranteed.
Now Open
What a 2027 entry gets you
Every lyric is read by a professional songwriter, and every session puts 15 songwriters in the magazine.
Confirmed for every 2027 session
A professional songwriter reads every lyric submitted. Each session's top 15 go to the judges panel, and all 15 finalists are featured in American Songwriter, in print and online. First through fourth place have their lyrics published. The 11 honorable mentions are named alongside their song title.
90 songwriters featured every year
Announced in the coming weeks
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The 2027 prize package
Awarded to all six session winners. The 2026 package is below.
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The 2027 judges panel
Grammy winners, hit songwriters and major label artists. The 2026 panel is below.
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The 2027 Dream Co-Write artist
The Dream Day on Music Row returns. Past co-writes include Chris Stapleton and David Ryan Harris.
$15 per lyric · Session One closes November 15
The 2026 Grand Prize
The Dream Day on Music Row
One of the six 2026 session winners takes the Dream Day: a co-write, a mentorship, a pro demo, and a trip to Nashville. It returns for 2027, with the co-write artist announced soon.
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David Ryan Harris
Has written and performed with John Mayer, India.Arie, Dave Matthews, and Nelly.
The 2026 Dream Co-Write artist. A song written side by side, in Nashville.
Past Dream Co-Writes: Chris Stapleton · Chris Daughtry · Mary Gauthier · Jim Lauderdale · Ashley Monroe
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Jessie Jo Dillon
Two-time ACM and NMPA Songwriter of the Year. GRAMMY-nominated writer behind hits for Morgan Wallen, Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, and Kelsea Ballerini.
A one-on-one mentorship session on your writing.
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A full-band demo
Cut at a premier Nashville recording studio with session players.
You leave with a professional recording of your song.
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We fly you in
Round-trip flights to Nashville from any city in the continental U.S., and two nights at a premier hotel.
Travel and lodging are covered. The rest of Nashville is yours to explore.
The 2026 Package
What session winners took home in 2026
Six session winners a year, and each one took the full package. The 2027 package is announced soon.
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A feature in American Songwriter
Your story and your song, in the print magazine and online.
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Epiphone 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue
The Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop acoustic, in Vintage Sunburst.
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JBL 3 Series Studio Monitors
Reference monitors so you can hear what you actually wrote.
It isn't only first place
Every session, all 15 finalists are featured in American Songwriter, in print and online. First through fourth place have their lyrics published. The 11 honorable mentions are named alongside their song title.
Every entry is read by a professional songwriter. The top 15 go to the judges.
$15 per lyric · Enter as many as you want
The 2026 Panel
Who read the top 15 in 2026
Grammy winners, hit songwriters, and major label artists. All 13 read every session's finalists. The 2027 panel is announced soon.
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The Band Perry
GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM winners. "If I Die Young" went 9x Platinum. Six #1 singles and more than a billion streams.
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Parker Welling
GRAMMY-nominated. Five multi-platinum #1s including "Yours" and "Blue Tacoma." Cuts by Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, and Carly Pearce.
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Caitlyn Smith
Has written for Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Meghan Trainor with John Legend.
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Chase McDaniel
Big Machine Records artist. Hit #1 on Billboard Country Digital Song Sales with "Project." Named a Rising Country Star by GRAMMY.com.
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Danielle Bradbery
ACM and CMT nominated. Charting singles "The Heart of Dixie" and "Worth It," with collaborations alongside Thomas Rhett and Zac Brown Band.
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Erin Enderlin
Opry regular. Has penned songs for Alan Jackson, Lee Ann Womack, Reba, Willie Nelson, and Shania Twain.
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Lily Rose
Broke through with viral hit "Villain." Toured with Sam Hunt, Luke Bryan, and Shania Twain, with acclaim from the ACM and GLAAD.
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Katie Pruitt
Georgia-bred singer-songwriter behind the acclaimed albums Expectations and Mantras.
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Baylee Littrell
American Idol standout who auditioned with an original song. Broadway debut at 13, earning a Drama Desk nomination.
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Kassi Ashton
MCA Nashville artist praised by Rolling Stone and People. Debut album Made From The Dirt.
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Harper Grace
Curb Records artist with 12 million streams and two TODAY Show performances. Opened for OneRepublic and Martina McBride.
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Jillian Jacqueline
Discovered as a child by Kenny Rogers. Has played the Ryman, the Grand Ole Opry, and Late Night with Seth Meyers.
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Tiera Kennedy
Featured vocalist on Beyonce's Cowboy Carter, the 2025 GRAMMY Album of the Year. Mentored by Shania Twain.
From Entry to Breakthrough
Where this has taken people
Two songwriters who entered the same contest you're looking at.
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Lyric Contest Winner
Lance Carpenter
Billboard #1
A farm kid from Ozark, Arkansas who taught himself guitar. He won the Lyric Contest, then co-wrote Love Me Like You Mean It with Kelsea Ballerini, Josh Kerr, and Forest Glen Whitehead. It was her debut single. On July 4, 2015, it went to No. 1.
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Lyric Contest Winner
Matt Hoggatt
Signed by Jimmy Buffett
A police detective in Gautier, Mississippi, playing Gulf Coast bars on weekends. His song Dear Jimmy Buffett asked Buffett for a record deal. It won the 2012 Lyric Contest. Buffett read the feature in the magazine, wrote a song back called Dear Matt Hoggatt, brought him onstage in front of 14,000 people, and signed him to Mailboat Records.
Buffett found Matt because of the magazine feature. That isn't the consolation prize. That's the distribution, and 15 songwriters get it every session.
Before You Enter
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before you submit. Still stuck on something? Ask us directly.
Contact UsWhen is the deadline?
Session One of the 2027 contest closes November 15, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM CT.
The full 2027 schedule
- Session One November 15, 2026
- Session Two January 15, 2027
- Session Three March 15, 2027
- Session Four May 15, 2027
- Session Five July 15, 2027
- Session Six September 15, 2027
All deadlines are 11:59:59 PM CT.
How much does it cost to enter?
$15 per lyric. That's one flat fee per submission, with nothing else to pay if you win.
Can I enter more than once?
Yes. There's no limit. Enter as many lyrics as you want, at $15 each, and every one is judged on its own.
One exception: a lyric that has already placed in the top four of a previous contest can't be entered again. Honorable mentions can be.
I entered in 2026. When do I find out?
Session Six of the 2026 contest closed September 15, 2026, and those entries are with the judges now. Winners are announced in November 2026, along with the 2026 Dream Day on Music Row.
The 2027 contest is a separate contest with its own entry. A 2026 entry is not carried forward.
What are the 2027 prizes and who are the judges?
The 2027 prize package, judges panel, and Dream Co-Write artist are announced in the coming weeks.
What's confirmed for every 2027 session: a professional songwriter reads every lyric, the top 15 go to the judges panel, and all 15 finalists are featured in American Songwriter, in print and online, with first through fourth place having their lyrics published.
Do I keep the rights to my lyrics?
Yes. Your song stays yours. We don't claim ownership of anything you submit. Entering grants us a limited, non-exclusive license to use your lyrics for the contest itself, such as publishing finalists in the magazine and online.
Is the contest international?
Yes. We accept submissions from any country, and lyrics can be in any language. If yours isn't in English, we recommend including an English translation with your entry.
How are entries judged?
A professional songwriter reads every lyric submitted. Each session's top 15 are sent to our judges panel, who determine first through fourth place. All 15 finalists are featured in American Songwriter, in print and online.
How do I submit my lyrics?
Paste your lyrics into the designated area on the checkout form. That's the whole process.
Will I receive feedback on my entry?
Our judges don't give individual feedback, though a professional songwriter does read every entry. If you want notes on your writing, lyric critiques are included with a Diamond Membership.
How do I edit my entry?
Email our Customer Relations team with your Order ID and the change you need. We can't guarantee edits requested more than two weeks after your entry date.
When are winners announced?
Winners are published roughly two months after each session closes. Session One winners are announced in January 2027.
$15 per lyric · Session One closes November 15
More Contests
Do your lyrics already have a song?
The Lyric Contest judges the words and storytelling. If there's a recording behind them, these judge the whole thing, melody and production and performance. Same song, second shot.
Thanks to our sponsors for supporting songwriters
Sponsor perk
Nashville Demo Works, our preferred demo production partner, gives American Songwriter readers 10% off with the code ASW
Visit Nashville Demo Works
Session Winner Prizes
Six session winners each year win a prize package that includes a feature in American Songwriter magazine, a premium guitar, a condenser mic, and studio monitors.
Session Finalists Receive
Six session Runner Ups (2nd, 3rd, 4th) and Honorable Mentions receive a feature article in American Songwriter (Print Magazine and Digital)
From Entry to Breakthrough
From Lyric Contest Win to Billboard #1
From Lyric Contest Win to Signed by Jimmy Buffett
Meet the 2026 Judges
Grammy winners, hit songwriters, and major label artists
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 beginning your entry process.
Have an additional question? Reach out to us directly below.
- Session One: Deadline is November 15th at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
- Session Two: Deadline is January 15th at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
- Session Three: Deadline is March 15th at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
- Session Four: Deadline is May 15th at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
- Session Five: Deadline is July 15th at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
- Session Six: Deadline is September 15th at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
Yes! We do NOT claim any rights to the lyrics submitted.
Yes! Submissions from any country are accepted. However, lyrics must be submitted in English.
$15 per submission
Copy and paste your lyrics into the designated area on the checkout form.
To edit your entry please email our Customer Relations team at info@americansongwriter.com with your Order ID and the edit you need to make.
*Note: We cannot guarantee that we will be able to edit your entry if you contact us more than 2 weeks after your entry date.
Our judges do not give individual feedback. If you are interested in having your lyrics reviewed, we have a lyric critique benefit that is included in our Diamond Memberships.
- Session One: Winners announced January 2026
- Session Two: Winners announced March 2026
- Session Three: Winners announced May 2026
- Session Four: Winners announced July 2026
- Session Five: Winners announced September 2026
- Session Six: Winners announced November 2026
