The American Songwriter Song Contest - American Songwriter
2026 · Now accepting entries

The American Songwriter Song Contest

Win $10,000 for a song you already wrote.

Enter songs now

Heard by Parker McCollum, Peter Frampton, Lzzy Hale, Lisa Loeb, and 20+ artists and industry leaders.

You keep 100% of the rights to everything you enter.

2026 Song Contest Prizes

Real value at every level, across 20+ categories.

Grand prize winner
$10,000 cash
A&R mentorship
Publishing deal opportunity · Savage Music
2-page magazine feature
Global album promotion · Play MPE radio
Premium studio time
Custom premium guitar
Social collab post
Membership
1st place — each category
$1,000 cash
Magazine feature · global single promotion + Play MPE radio tracking · dedicated social post · membership
2nd place — each category
$500 cash
Feature on American Songwriter · membership
Semi-finalists & finalists
Feature
Recognition on American Songwriter

Promotion winners — awarded on a rolling basis throughout the contest, specific to each promotion. Sync Ready first place also receives A&R mentorship from Savage Music.

Enter songs now

Meet the 2026 Song Contest Judges

Your music will be heard by some of the most respected artists, songwriters, and industry professionals today.

Featured judge
Multi-platinum country star
Featured judge
GRAMMY winner · Hall of Fame
Featured judge
GRAMMY winner · Halestorm
Featured judge
GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter
Sam Nelson Harris fronts X Ambassadors, achieving global success through chart-topping hits, major collaborations, and songwriting for top artists across pop, hip-hop, and alternative music.
Multi-platinum country artist Mitchell Tenpenny boasts billions of streams, chart-topping hits, and major award nominations, solidifying his place as a leading voice in modern country.
Multi-platinum artist KYLE blends hip-hop, pop, and feel-good energy, rising to fame with “iSpy” and expanding into acting while maintaining a globally recognized, uplifting musical style.
Teen singer-songwriter Maddox Batson is a rising country-pop talent gaining recognition for viral tracks, major collaborations, and international touring at just sixteen years old.
Sitar virtuoso, composer, and activist, Anoushka Shankar is a Grammy-nominated, genre-defying artist known for global collaborations, groundbreaking achievements, and decades of influential touring and performance.
Breakout country artist Ashley Cooke blends vulnerable storytelling with chart success, earning major awards, a #1 hit, and acclaim while channeling personal hardships into deeply honest music.
Country powerhouse Kameron Marlowe pairs soulful vocals with massive streaming success, sold-out tours, and chart hits, establishing himself as one of the genre’s most compelling voices.
Singer, actress, and influencer Jenna Davis combines powerful vocals with storytelling, amassing millions of streams and followers while starring in major film projects like M3GAN.
Brazilian pop star GIULIA BE is a multilingual singer-songwriter and actress with billions of streams, global chart success, and a Latin Grammy nomination, redefining modern international pop.
Kentucky-raised singer-songwriter Chase McDaniel turned hardship into momentum, building a loyal fanbase with emotionally raw songs, chart success, and a rising presence in country music.
Sister duo Tigirlily Gold rose from North Dakota roots to Nashville stages, earning hits, awards, and buzz with Blonde, viral singles, and captivating energetic performances.
Michigander blends heartland storytelling with alternative rock, earning millions of streams and acclaim while building momentum through touring, radio success, and his introspective debut album.
Singer-songwriter Sophia James blends indie, pop, and jazz influences, building millions of streams while exploring new creative directions with her upcoming power-pop-inspired project.
GRAMMY-winning guitarist Mark Lettieri is a versatile performer, composer, and Snarky Puppy member known for acclaimed instrumental work, global touring, and collaborations across genres.
Missouri-born artist FILMORE blends country with genre-bending influences, delivering high-energy, hook-driven music as Pitbull’s Mr. 305 Records’ first country signee.
The Baylor Project, led by Marcus and Jean Baylor, blends jazz, gospel, and soul, earning Grammy nominations and acclaim for music rooted in faith, family, and cultural storytelling.
Queer country artist Fancy Hagood brings resilience, joy, and authenticity to his music, blending genres while embracing identity, community, and emotional storytelling on his album American Spirit.
Mason Domke serves as Director, A&R and Research at Warner Records Nashville, where he specializes in identifying emerging talent through a blend of creative scouting and data analysis.
BMI executive Samantha Cox leads creative teams while shaping songwriter careers, leveraging decades of industry experience to support major artists and foster global music development.
Leslie Fram is a music executive, founder of FEMco, former CMT SVP, and advocate for underrepresented artists, known for Next Women of Country and leadership.
Music executive Joe Ferrari leads Ferrari Music Group, leveraging decades of A&R success and global industry experience to develop artists, build partnerships, and drive strategic growth.
Award-winning songwriter and producer Jeff Cohen has contributed to millions of records, major TV/film projects, and global hits while shaping artists’ careers across decades in music.

Read More About the 2026 Song Contest Judges Panel

Categories To Enter

Choose the category at checkout that best fits your song. You can submit your song to multiple categories for more chances to be recognized.

Americana blends folk, country, blues, and rock roots, featuring acoustic instrumentation, heartfelt lyrics, and strong storytelling traditions.
Blues features soulful vocals, expressive guitar-driven instrumentation, and emotional themes of hardship and resilience, often built around classic 12-bar structures.
Children’s music entertains and educates young audiences with catchy melodies, simple lyrics, and playful, age-appropriate themes.
Christian music centers on faith-based themes of worship, praise, and devotion, expressed across a wide range of musical styles.
Comedy/Novelty songs use humor, satire, and playful storytelling to entertain with originality and lighthearted creativity.
Contemporary Country blends modern production with country storytelling.
Electronic/Dance music uses electronic production, pulsing beats, and high-energy drops to create rhythmic, club- and festival-ready soundscapes.
Folk/Singer-Songwriter music emphasizes acoustic instrumentation, intimate vocals, and lyrical depth rooted in personal storytelling.
Global Music celebrates traditional and contemporary styles from around the world, highlighting diverse instruments, rhythms, and cultural expression.
Golden is open to songwriters age 50 and older, celebrating creativity and excellence across all musical genres.
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.
Instrumental music relies solely on melody, harmony, and rhythm, using musical instruments to convey emotion without vocals.
Jazz is defined by improvisation, complex harmonies, and rhythmic syncopation, highlighting expressive musicianship and spontaneous performance.
Latin music encompasses vibrant styles from Latin America and Spain, featuring rich rhythms, lively instrumentation, and diverse cultural influences.
Music Video entries combine original songs with compelling visual storytelling, evaluating both musical quality and production creativity.
Musical Theatre features character-driven songs written for the stage to advance story, emotion, and dramatic performance.
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.
Sync Ready songs are professionally produced, commercially appealing tracks crafted for placement in film, television, advertising, and media.
Teen is open to songwriters age 18 or younger as of December 31, 2026, across all genres and styles.
Traditional Country honors classic country roots with twang-driven instrumentation, storytelling lyrics, and timeless themes of love and heartache.
ENTER SONGS NOW

Past Winners & Success Stories

See how songwriters are gaining recognition and exposure through the contest.

2025 Song Contest Winners Announced
Lydia Kaseta
Grand prize
2025
"Black Powder Smoke"
Lydia Kaseta
Written by Lydia Kaseta, Nate Sander, and Dylan Owen
View feature Listen
Drew Schueler
Grand prize
2024
"This Is Where"
Drew Schueler
Written by Drew Schueler, Nell Maynard, Claire Flynt
View feature Listen
The Philharmonik
Grand prize
2023
“What’s It All Mean?”
The Philharmonik
Written by The Philharmonik
View feature Listen
Harper O'Neill
Grand prize
2022
"Somebody"
Harper O’Neill
Written by Harper O’Neill, Meg McCree
View feature Listen

Explore Past Winners & Their Stories

Frequently asked questions

Still deciding whether to enter? Here's everything you need to know before you begin your entry.

Have another question? Reach out and we'll help.

Contact us
When is the deadline?
December 7, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM (CT).
Do I maintain ownership of my song?
Yes. You retain full ownership — we do not claim any rights to songs entered into the contest.
Is the contest international?
Yes. Submissions from any country are welcome.
Is production quality a factor?
No. Production quality is not part of the judging.
How do I submit my songs?
Paste a public link to your song at checkout — Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, Google Drive, or any streaming platform.
How do I edit my entry?
Email our Customer Relations team at info@americansongwriter.com with your Order ID and the change you need.We can't guarantee edits requested more than 2 weeks after your entry date.
Will I receive feedback on my song?
Not on contest entries. If you'd like your song critiqued, that benefit is included with Diamond Membership.
When will winners be announced?
Winners are announced each spring, by email and on our website. Promotion winners are announced throughout the contest.
See all contest rules →
ENTER SONGS NOW

More Contests

Same song, more shots

Your recording fits more than one of these. Every entry is judged separately, so the same song can run in all of them.

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