Songwriting contests

*Pro Tip – save to your phone’s Home Screen to keep this list handy.

American Songwriter Lyric Contest – Every two months, this contest is judged with its issue release. With $10,000 cash grand prize for the year and 17 $1,000 first prize winners, this song contest gives you a two page feature in American Songwriting Magazine.

The Great American Song Contest – This song contest claims to be the only major songwriting contest that provides entrants with written critiques from the judges. Grand prize winners win $2,500 cash.

International Songwriting Competition – Both amateur and professional songwriters are invited to perform. The grand prize winner gets $25,000 in cash.

John Lennon Songwriting Contest – Song of the Year winner receives $20,000 in cash. 12 Lennon Winners and 24 Grand Prize win a Taylor acoustic electric. They now have a weekly breakup song contest that automatically enters you into the year long contest.

Kerrville New Folk Competition – Be one of the 24 finalists and you will be invited to perform at Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville, TX. Finalists get to attend the festival for free. Six winners are chosen from the 24 for another performance at the festival. Winners also receive $750 each and an invitation to perform at the 2025 House Concert Tour.

New Song Music Competition – Winner gets a 6 song EP recorded at Citizen Studios and 300 Citizen Vinyl Records located in Ashville, NC.

NSAI Song Contest This Association is a staple in the Music City with their signature slogan, “It all begins with a song.” Now owners of the famous Bluebird Cafe and programers of the Tin Pan South Festival, which takes place all over the capitol of Tennessee, the contest starts October 1st.

Rocky Mountain Songwriting Contest Winner receives a Gibson Guitar and a chance to perform as a paid Rising Star Songwriter the following year.

Song of the Year Song and Lyric Writing Competition First place winner receives $30,000 cash.

The USA Songwriting Competition $50,000 in cash and prizes to the grand winner.

The Wildflower Performing Songwriter Contest First place $1,000

songwriting workshops

Dar Williams Writing a Song That Matters – Connecticut

Performing Songwriter – Nashville, TN

Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Song School – Lyons, CO

Sister Folk Festival Song School – Sisters, OR

Rodney Crowell It Starts With a Song – Idyllwild, CA

Know of any other songwriting contests or songwriting workshops? Leave them in the comments below!