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Songwriting Contest - Now Accepting Entries

The Song of the Year songwriting contest is currently accepting entries into the 6th competition of 2024. The songwriting contest's winners and finalists from each of the ten categories will have their material sent to record labels, publishers, management companies, promoters and many other music industry insiders for further consideration. The winners will also receive over $80,000 of cash and prizes. Submit your material online using 3 Easy Steps. International entries are accepted..
 
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Featured Songwriting Judges

Judges include individuals from various independent labels, all of the major labels and publishers, Grammy winners and nominees, individuals from Clear Channel radio stations and many other leaders in the music industry. A few of the judges featured in the current contest include:

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S
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Dave Grohl Steven Tyler Alicia Keys
L S P
U2's The Edge Gwen Stefani Lenny Kravitz
 
Michelle
Michelle has placed writer's songs in 4 motion picture soundtracks, 9 television shows and over 20 television commercials.
Anthony
Anthony has worked with many Sony artists such as Timbaland, Pink, The Fray, Shakira and Usher.
 
Michelle Wells
EMI Publishing

 

 
Anthony Hayes
Sony Music
 
Richard
Richard has worked with various Sony projects and has helped broker deals for acts such as The Script and Kings of Leon.
Anna
Anna M Lopez has marketed and promoted such acts as Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj and Babyface.
 
Richard Allen
Sony Music
 

 

 
Anna M Lopez
Universal Music
 
Kevin
Kevin has coordinated music synchronization for film and advertising. His clients include G.E., Nike, ATT, Samsung, Ford and Kraft.
Jessica
Jessica has promoted Warner Music projects including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, Josh Groban and GooGoo Dolls.
Kevin Banks
EMI Publishing
 

 

 
Jessica Smith-Cox
Warner Music
 
Aaron
Aaron works with digital strategies for EMI. He has placed writer's music in video games (EA Sports), mobile apps and various online media.
Ed
As a liaison to NBC and Fox News, Ed has placed writer's songs in 19 television shows and in 23 news segments.
 
Aaron Connors
EMI Publishing

 

 
Ed McClendon
 

 

Featured Artists & Previous Winners

Meghan Trainor Meghan Trainor was a previous category winner in the contest. Her songwriting is now hitting the airwaves and soaring to the top of the charts. Her song "All About The Bass" was #1 on Billboard's "Pop Chart" as well as occupying the top spots on the "Top Hot 100", "Radio Songs", "Streaming Songs", "On Demand Songs" and "Ringtones".

The Nantucket songwriter's material has been recorded by a number of notable artists including Rascal Flatts. Meghan has also signed a deal with Epic Records and has released her latest album "Timeless". Her 2024 release is available at meghantrainor.store
Meghan Trainor
 
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Saturday Night Live's
Jared Scharff

jared
Photo with songwriting award
Song of the Year recognizes Jared Sharff for excellence in musicianship and songwriting. The Saturday Night Live's guitarist was the creative force behind the song "Stereo". When asked what inspired Jared to write his award winning song, he recalls, "I saw a Boston band play in New York City one night. The one thing I loved about the band was how relentless they were. It was full on, all the time. It inspired me to want to write a song that had that same vibe and attitude". Jared was awarded the "Song of the Year" award (pictured to the left). With his prize money he promptly used it to buy a new computer for his home studio. In regards to his experience with the Song of the Year songwriting contest, Jared comments "They have been incredibly kind to me and generous with awards. They go out of their way to make you feel special and that your song matters".
 
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Matthew Koma
koma At 16 years old, Matthew Koma was the previous "Grand Prize Winner" in the contest and received the cash prizes with his project "BandCamp". He has since signed a deal with Interscope Records and EMI Publishing. He has co-written the song "Change Your Mind" for Keith Urban and has worked with Shania Twain and Britney Spears. His song "Spectrum" spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Dance Club charts.


 
 
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Keaton Simons
Keat Keaton Simons was a past winner in the contest and recipient of the cash prize. The buzz around Keaton has been well deserved with his appearances on Craig Ferguson's and Carson Daly's late night shows as well as an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Keaton has written with Jason Mraz and has worked with Gnarls Barkley. He has performed with acts such as Coldplay and Train.
Watch Keaton share his ideas on songwriting.
 

How It Works

The songwriting entries are reviewed and judged by the songwriting merits alone. Production quality is not taken into consideration. We are looking for great songwriters, not great producers. A simple home or live recording of a song has the same chance of winning the songwriting contest as a professional recording has of winning. Many of the past winners have placed with simple vocal/guitar or vocal/piano recordings. Vocal ability is 'not' taken into consideration. Only the "songwriting" elements of the songs are considered when determining the winners. "Lyric Only" category entries have the same chance of winning the competition as do any of the other categories. Once all of the material is judged, there will be one winning song representing each of the ten categories. During the second round of judging, those top ten songs then compete against each other to determine the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. It will be these winners who will be awarded the cash and prizes.

 
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