MerleFest 2010, presented by Lowe’s, is proud once again to host the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Now in its 18th year, the contest is an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring writers to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of Nashville music industry professionals, under the direction of this year’s volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy®-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale.
Contest entries are now being accepted via the following methods:
- U.S. Mail – Send to P. O. Box 121855, Nashville, TN 37212
- American Songspace –http://www.americansongspace.com/chrisaustinsongwritingcontest
- Sonicbids – www.sonicbids.com/chrisaustinsongwritingcontest
Details about entry fees, eligibility and other requirements are available at www.chrisaustinsongwritingcontest.org. The deadline for submissions is February 18, 2010. To be eligible to enter, a songwriter must not derive more than 50% of his or her total income from songwriting or music publishing.
Once submitted, songs are judged by a volunteer panel of Nashville songwriters, publishers and other music industry professionals. Judging is based on a song’s originality, lyrics, melody and overall commercial potential. Twelve finalists, three from each category, will be announced during the first week of April 2010. Each of the twelve finalists will compete on the Austin Stage at MerleFest 2010. In addition, for the first time in the history of the contest, each of the twelve finalists will have the invaluable experience of a mentor session with Jim Lauderdale.
The contest recognizes winners in four categories—country, bluegrass, gospel and general. First place winners in each category receive: a performance on the Cabin Stage at MerleFest 2010 (April 29-May 2), an acoustic guitar, a check for $300, two boxes of D’Addario strings and one-year subscriptions to both Acoustic Guitar and American Songwriter magazines. Second and third place winners in each category receive performance slots on the Friday night Songwriters Coffeehouse, as well as cash prizes, D’Addario strings and subscriptions to Acoustic Guitar and American Songwriter.
Previous winners of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest include Gillian Welch, Tift Merritt, Michael Reno Harrell, Adrienne Young, Martha Scanlan, David Via, and Johnny Williams.
For additional information about the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, call the contest hotline at 1-800-799-3838 or Laurie Hayes, CASC Coordinator: 336-838-6158, laurie.hayes@wilkescc.edu.
Net proceeds from the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest support the Wilkes Community College Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship. Since its inception the scholarship has awarded over $ 30,300 to 69 deserving students. The 2009-2010 Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship recipients are Ian Tucker Francis and Dustin Rubio-Serrano.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:22 am
crist austin songwriting contest . my name is dewey shelton and i have written several blue grass gospel songs ..i would like to know all the detail enformatiom about the contest.would i send you a song on tape and the words on paper. and what is the cost to inter my songs.i think some of my songs are pretty goog ..isang some in church .and most people tell they enjoy them very much .276 957 1452 .i would like to have some one to liston to my songs .maybe some one could record them .buy i dont know how to go about doing that. i have my songs copyright ..would you let me know who i can talk to about this ..thanks dewey shelton .212 wagon trail rd,.ridgeway v.a. 24148….
November 16th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
cris austin songwritting contest ..my name is dewey shelton and i hav written several blue grass gospel songs .and i would like some information about how to go about intering this contest ..do i send the songs on tape or cd. .can i use my band toplay the music .or do i just sang with just aguitar or how /what do i do..how many songs do i enter in the contest .please let me know you can call ..276 957..1452.. or .banjoman7 @yahoo.com…………. thanks very much. dewey shelton .. ridgeway v.a. 24148
November 16th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I’m 15 and have written some songs. I wanna know if this contest is right for my music and if so which song should I enter in this contest. Listen at midnightcarnivalonline.com
December 16th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
i submitted two songs for the chris austin contest ..if i am lucky enough to place in this contest . you can call me at..276 957 1452 .or mail to 212 wagon trail rd.. ridgeway v.a. 24148.. thanks dewey shelton ….