The American Songwriter Lyric Contest | #1 Lyric Contest

The American Songwriter Lyric Contest

Session Three Deadline: March 15, 2026

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The American Songwriter Lyric Contest

Session Five Deadline: July 15, 2025
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Session Three Deadline: March 15, 2026

The American Songwriter Lyric Contest

Win Dream Co-Write with legendary songwriter, be featured in American Songwriter & More!

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SHAMROCK & ROLL PROMOTION OPEN NOW

Promotion Banners for Contest LP (5)

Got a drinking song? Enter your best celebration-inspired track into American Songwriter’s Contests for our brand-new SHAMROCK & ROLL promotion.

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Promotion Deadline: March 23, 2026, 11:59 PM CST US

🍀 $500 in Cash
🍀 Feature on American Songwriter
🍀 One Year American Songwriter Membership
🍀 One Year Bourbon+ Magazine Subscription
🍀 Eligible for all respective contest prizes

What is the Lyric Contest?

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LYRICS – Since 1984, the Lyric Contest has showcased the craft of songwriting — where the words take center stage.

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Joy Oladokun Announces 2025 Lyric Contest Grand Prize Winner

Past Winners

From Lyric Contest Win to Billboard #1

From Lyric Contest Win to Signed by Jimmy Buffett

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2026 Lyric Contest Prizes

1st Place Session Winner

Win a feature in American Songwriter Magazine & website
Win a Premium Epiphone Acoustic Guitar
Win an AKG P220 Condenser Microphone
Win JBL 3 Series Studio Monitors

Runner Ups & Honorable Mentions

Feature article in American Songwriter (Print Magazine and Digital)

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Meet the 2026 Lyric Contest Judges

Over 70 songs released by artists including Lainey Wilson’s award-winning #1 hit single “Heart Like A Truck” and “Wildflowers and Wild Horses”.
Has shaped modern pop for decades, with over 15 billion streams, a Diamond Award, and two ASCAP Awards.
Her powerful voice has earned her awards from the Academy of Country Music and nominations for GRAMMY, CMA, and Billboard Music Awards.
Nominations for Best Country Song at the GRAMMY Awards and multiple Song of the Year nominations at CMA Awards and ACM awards. Rodney won BMI and NSAI Songwriter of the Year in 2013 and 2015.
Multi-platinum selling, 2x GRAMMY and 2x Brit Award nominated music producer, songwriter, remixer, label manager and publisher best known for his work with artists Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes.
GRAMMY nominated Canadian songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who has co-written #1 hit songs such as Lady A’s “What If I Never Get Over You” and Ingrid Andress’s “More Hearts Than Mine”.
GRAMMY-winning songwriter and producer whose compositions span multiple genres and have accumulated 20 platinum RIAA certifications and more than 4 billion streams on Spotify.
American musician, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as a founding member of the platinum selling rock band, Fastball.
American Folk Singer and founding member of Old Crow Medicine Show.
Wrote Lily Rose’s RIAA Gold-certified single “Villian,” along with songs recorded by Jon Pardi, Chayce Beckham, Mackenzie Carpenter, Erin Kinsey, Restless Road, Mitchell Tenpenny and more.
GRAMMY-nominated songwriter & producer Jon Shave has generated over 18 billion cross-platform streams. Jon has most recently worked on Charli XCX’s album ‘Brat’.
Los Angeles-based singer and writer who wrote and sang on the GRAMMY-nominated #1 Billboard Soundtrack, “Aurora,” on Daisy Jones and the Six.
Keith Hetrick is a GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and record producer who is renowned for his collaborations with artists like Jennifer Lopez, Snoop Dogg, Boyz II Men, and Charlie Wilson.

Click here to learn more about the 2025 Lyric Contest Judges Panel

GRAMMY®, CMA, and ACM-winning group known for their Appalachian roots and bold evolution from country to pop.
GRAMMY-nominated songwriter behind six Country radio hits, including #1s for Russell Dickerson and Thomas Rhett, with cuts by Keith Urban and Kelsea Ballerini.
Acclaimed artist and songwriter for Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, and Garth Brooks, known for her powerhouse vocals and genre-blending sound.
Danielle Bradbery is a versatile and soulful recording artist whose decade-long career bridges country, pop, and R&B, earning her critical acclaim, award nominations, and high-profile collaborations.
Raised in small-town Kentucky, Nashville singer-songwriter Chase McDaniel channels grit, heart, and honesty into his Country-Rock sound — turning hard times into chart-topping hits and nationwide acclaim.
Opry regular and vivid storyteller with cuts by Reba, Willie Nelson, and Shania Twain; featured in Morgan Freeman’s The Gray House.
Breakout artist behind viral hit “Villain,” blending country, pop, and hip-hop, with ACM and GLAAD honors and tours with Sam Hunt and Shania Twain.
Georgia-born artist crafting fearless, soul-baring songs about identity and self-acceptance on acclaimed albums Expectations and Mantras.
American Idol standout and Broadway alum blending country, pop, and rock with heartfelt songwriting and viral hit “Hey Jesus.”
MCA Nashville artist fusing rock grit and soulful storytelling, praised for Made From The Dirt and breakout single “Drive You Out of My Mind.”
Texas-born Curb Records artist with 12M+ streams, celebrated for her powerhouse vocals and inspiring anti-bullying Redemption Tour.
Jillian Jacqueline is an acclaimed singer-songwriter praised by Rolling Stone and Billboard, with millions of streams and standout Grand Ole Opry performances.
Tiera Kennedy is a genre-blending R&B, country, and gospel artist whose 2024 debut "ROOTED" follows collaborations with Beyoncé, Dolly Parton, and Shania Twain.

Learn More About the 2026 Lyric Contest Judges Panel

The "Dream Day On Music Row" Grand Prize

One of the Lyric Contest’s six session winners will be awarded the overall Grand Prize Package

Win 'Dream Co-Write' with legendary songwriter that has included Chris Stapleton, Chris Daughtry, Mary Gauthier, Jim Lauderdale, Ashley Monroe, Ray Fulcher and many more!
Win 'Dream Session' full-band demo at premier Nashville recording studio.
Win round trip flights to Nashville along with two nights lodging at premier hotel.
Win a dream mentorship session with hit songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon, a two-time ACM and NMPA Songwriter of the Year and GRAMMY-nominated writer behind hits for Morgan Wallen, Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, Kelsea Ballerini, and more.

Learn More About "The Dream Day on Music Row"

Learn More About Our 2025 Dream Co-Write Artist Joy Oladokun

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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. 

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  • 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 [email protected] 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 2025
  • Session Two: Winners announced March 2025
  • Session Three: Winners announced May 2025
  • Session Four: Winners announced July 2025
  • Session Five: Winners announced September 2025
  • Session Six: Winners announced November 2025

Click here to see all Contest Rules

Past Winners

From Lyric Contest Win to Billboard #1

From Lyric Contest Win to Signed by Jimmy Buffett

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Contests You Might Also Like

Thanks To Our Sponsors For Supporting Songwriters

Offering premium guitars to session winners.
Preferred demo production partner offering 10% off with the code ASW.
Offering premium mics to session winners.
Offering premium mics to session winners.
Offering premium songwriting tools to session winners.
Artist First. Forever.

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