2009 Great American Song Contest

The Great American Song Contest features awards for 45 winners in 9 categories and provides $10,000 in Prizes. Music-industry judges include prominent publishers, music producers, and recording artists. Entrants receive written evaluations of their songs. Open to songwriters, lyricists, and composers around the
world. Sponsored by Songwriters Resource Network, a trusted educational resource for songwriters everywhere. Submissiondeadline: October 30.

Doing Dylan Songwriting Contest

Doing Dylan is looking for original songs which sing out against social injustice, political corruption, racial bigotry, or religious fanaticism. We're also interested in sensitive, poetic lyrics mourning lost or unrequited love, offering solace in the dark hours of despair, or trumpeting a rallying call for freedom. Submission deadline: August 31.

The Great Lakes Songwriting Contest

A longtime regional favorite, the sixth annual Great Lakes Songwriting Contest is now open to all songwriters everywhere. There will be 11 winners in 2009, with the Grand Prize winner getting $2,500 cash, the headliner spot at the annual Winners' Concert, plus other goodies from the sponsors. This is a contest
run by songwriters for songwriters; they guarantee that every song will be heard at least twice from beginning to end. There are no categories, as no one likes to be put in a box, and no one likes to pay multiple entry fees for a song to be considered for different categories. Submission deadline: September 15.

Music City Song Contest: Session 4

Red Ridge Entertainment is proud to present the Music City Song Contest: Session 4, a Nashville-based competition open to both amateur and professional songwriters worldwide. Entries will be judged on originality as well as compositional, lyrical, and melodic content; therefore a professional recording is not
necessary. Songs are open to the following categories: acoustic, adult contemporary, alternative, Americana, bluegrass, blues, Broadway, cabaret, contemporary Christian, country, folk, funk, jazz, Latin, pop, rock, singer-songwriter, and standards (no instrumental compositions). Submission deadline: July 31.

Me and My Harmony-G Video Contest

The "Me and My Harmony-G Video" contest will run till June 30, 2009 during which time entrants are encouraged to post a video of their performance of an original composition using the Harmony-G
vocal pedal on YouTube.com. Submissions will be judged on creativity, originality, and product usage by peers, viewers, and TC-Helicon staff. Varying monetary prizes will be awarded to winners in the amounts of $2,000 for Most Viewed, $2,000 for Best Video, and 10 weekly prizes of $100 for Honorable Mention.

SongDoor 2009 International Songwriting Competition

The SongDoor 2009 International Songwriting Competition is now open for submissions. Awards totaling more than $40,000 (including a single-song publishing contract) and two new judges have also been announced. Songs may be entered in six different categories: Christian, Country, Pop, Rock/Alt, Soft Rock, and Instrumental. Entries are accepted online or by mail through November 15.

Thanks to our friends at Indie Music for putting together this list. We love you.