$20,000. A live Nashville stage.
Your talent, in front of real industry decision-makers.
NOW OPEN
SOUNDS LIKE SUMMER - ENDS JUNE 15
THIS SUMMER, THE STAGE IS YOURS
Enter your song for the chance to win a performance opportunity at Country Thunder Music Festival’s Songwriters Showcase.
★ GRAND PRIZE WINNER ★
- Performance Opportunity at Country Thunder
- Festival Passes for Winner + Guest
- Airfare + Lodging for Winner
- Feature on American Songwriter
- American Songwriter Membership
- Eligible for all contest prizes
ADDITIONAL WINNERS (1 PER CONTEST)
- Feature on American Songwriter
- American Songwriter Membership
- Eligible for all contest prizes
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE IN
ENTER NOW
Open to U.S. residents 18+. International entrants and those under 18 are eligible for all regular contest prizes, including runner-up Sounds Like Summer prizes.
Now Open
Covered Promotion · Ends June 24
Put Your Spin On a Classic
Turn a song you love into a moment that's yours. Record your best cover and submit it — one week only.
Open to Road Ready Talent ContestWhat You Can Win
- ✓Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 4th Gen Recording Bundle
- ✓Feature on American Songwriter
- ✓American Songwriter Membership
- ✓Eligible for all Road Ready contest prizes
Submissions Close In
Runs June 17–24, 2026
The Road Ready Talent Contest
ENTRIES CLOSE IN
Winners perform live in Nashville · Fall 2026
$35 per entry · submit as many songs & categories as you like · you keep 100% ownership
What Is Road Ready?
Road Ready helps serious artists take the next real step — exposure, mentorship, and a live stage in front of the people who move careers.
THIS CONTEST IS FOR YOU IF:
✓ You’re building momentum and ready for bigger stages
✓ You want a real shot — not just another contest
✓ You’re ready to perform live for an industry audience
What are the Prizes?
Grand Prize Winner
$20,000 Cash Prize
- Signature Live Performance
- A&R Mentorship
- Publishing Deal Opportunity with Savage Music
- Featured in American Songwriter Magazine
- $20,000 USD in Cash USD
- Top 3 Finalists perform ‘live’ and Grand Prize winner announced to a VIP audience
- Publishing Deal Opportunity with Savage Music
- Mentorship with A&R Industry Executives
- 2-Page Feature in American Songwriter Magazine
- Premier Studio Recording Package
- Premium Gear Package
- Extensive Customized PR Campaign
- 1-Year Free American Songwriter Membership
- $5,000 USD in Cash USD
- Signature Live Performance
- Publishing Deal Opportunity with Savage Music
- Mentorship with A&R Industry Executives
- Feature in American Songwriter Magazine
- Premier Studio Recording Package
- Premium Gear Package
- 1-Year Free American Songwriter Membership
- $500 USD in Cash
- Feature on American Songwriter
- 1-Year Free American Songwriter Membership
- Feature on American Songwriter
- Promotion prizes are fulfilled on a rolling basis throughout the contest and are specific to each individual promotion.
What are the Categories?
Choose your category during entry. You can submit as many songs and enter as many categories as you’d like.
Pop music delivers catchy hooks, polished production, and broad appeal, blending contemporary influences into accessible, radio-ready songs.
R&B/Soul highlights smooth, emotive vocals, groove-driven arrangements, and deep roots in rhythm and blues and gospel traditions.
Rock is driven by electric guitars, bass, and drums, featuring powerful riffs, dynamic energy, and expressive vocals.
Authentic, roots-driven songs drawing from Americana and blues traditions.
Christian music centers on faith-based themes of worship, praise, and devotion, expressed across a wide range of musical styles.
Authentic, heartfelt songs that capture the voice and storytelling of country music.
Hip-Hop/Rap features rhythmic beats, spoken rhymes, and expressive lyrical flow, often highlighting storytelling, wordplay, and cultural commentary.
Indie music values artistic freedom and experimentation, spanning diverse styles while showcasing distinctive sounds and independent spirit.
Latin Music encompasses vibrant styles from Latin America and Spain, featuring rich rhythms, lively instrumentation, and diverse cultural influences.
Folk/Singer-Songwriter music emphasizes acoustic instrumentation, intimate vocals, and lyrical depth rooted in personal storytelling.
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.
Open to unsigned artists worldwide (bands, singers, rappers, duos, and solo artists) in any genre who are not signed to a major label or its subsidiaries.
⏰ Final Deadline: July 1st at 11:59 PM CT
Yes, you retain full ownership of your music. We do not claim any rights to your submissions.
Every song you submit into a promotion is automatically entered into the overall contest, giving you eligibility for both standard contest prizes and promotion-specific prizes.
Yes! Cover songs are accepted in any available category.
Yes—the contest is open to artists worldwide.
Entry is normally $35 per submission.
Copy and paste a public link to your songs into the form at checkout. They can be hosted on any platform: Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Google Drive, etc.
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.
Yes—but what matters most is how well your submission represents you as an artist. Enter the songs and videos that best showcase your talent.
Our judges do not give individual feedback. If you are interested in having your songs reviewed, we have a lyric critique benefit that is included in our Diamond Memberships.
Finalists are announced in the fall via email and on our website. The Grand Prize winner is announced during the live performance the following spring.
