As an independent artist, there are a number of opportunities for you to showcase your
talent and gain some added exposure for your music. Music competitions and contests– many of them offering cash prizes and celebrity judges—are a great way to get your name out there.
But there are a lot… should you bother entering? The answer is YES! Competitions can help you establish new connections and build your name recognition; not to mention you can win money! And, the best part of all: perhaps some day you can call yourself “an award winning singer songwriter.”
Here are a few that are ASCAP approved and worth submitting to:
International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual song contest for both aspiring and established songwriters that gives artists the opportunity to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. Songwriters and musicians of all levels – from amateur to professional – are invited to participate.
With a prestigious panel of judges including Tom Waits, Ozzy Osbourne, Kelly Clarkson, Tori Amos and Janelle Monae, (among many others), ISC gives artists exposure and the opportunity to have your songs heard by influential decision-makers in the music industry.
The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is an international songwriting contest that began in 1997 and is open to amateur and professional songwriters who submit entries in any one of 12 categories. The JLSC features two sessions, with 72 Finalists, 24 Grand Prize Winners, 12 Lennon Award Winners and 1 “Song of the Year.”
Entries are judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics in any of the following categories: Rock, Country, Jazz, Pop, World, Rhythm & Blues, Hip Hop, Gospel/Inspirational, Latin, Electronic, Folk, and Children’s. The JLSC executive committee of judges includes notables like: Bob Weir, Jesse Harris, The Black Eyed Peas, and more.
SongDoor International Songwriting Competition: SongDoor provides musicians and songwriters with a channel for new original music to be heard, and provides tools to improve writing skills. Original songs can be entered in the following categories: Christian, Country, Instrumental, Pop, Rock/Alt and Soft Rock.
With over $40,000 in awards, including a full-band session demo (recorded and produced on Nashville’s Music Row), a single-song publishing contract, exclusive pitching and networking opportunities, a comprehensive assortment of top-shelf songwriting software and more, SongDoor’s competition is open to amateurs and professionals worldwide.
There are about a dozen other competitions listed here by ASCAP that are also worth checking out. Take the time and throw your hat in the ring. Because, hey, you never know!
Tell us what you think! Have you entered your music into a contest? Did you win anything? Would you do it again?
The SongCast Crew
I rehearsed on the weekend with some local musicians, and had fun!
I need YOU to buy this album~so I can produce my next one!
I will sing and play anywhere anytime, I can play bass, guitar, keyboards, computer!
I walk down the street and I boogie along, I shuffle with my rabbit, and I sing my song…
I’m A Music Man, I’m A Music Man, I’m A muuuuusic man!
lyrics by VEGAS ENTERTAINMENT!
original by Raymond V.Small
I have entered various contests, before. I entered VH1 Song of the Year contests, before, and received honorable mention, in the R&B category. Immediately afterwards, I saw seemingly hundreds of blogs that stated it was all a hoax and that the gentleman running it was making a living from it. there seemed to be evidence to back up the claims. If it is confirmed that particular contests are legit, I would definitely enter them.
We had two songs hit the “Most Requested Song of the Week” on our Local Radio Station, both released on our own as Indies, but never had that THIRD SONG that all the Labels wanted. Both got an ‘Honorable Mention’ in the “East Coast Gonna-Be’s” and the “Hit ’em Harder” Songwriter Contests. “PYBUM” also won the “Florida Rock ‘n Roll” SW Contest. So right now, we’re all about letting people know that they’re available online, but that’s almost as hard as writing, rehearsing and recording the songs to begin with.
I would be curious to know if there is ANY way, if money isn’t a problem, to actually do that these days (?) – Any advice input would be awesome!
Cheers – Morriah
– – – Bring It On – – –