Final Session of 2026
The American Songwriter Lyric Contest
Last chance to win a session, and a shot at the Dream Day on Music Row.
$15 per lyric
Session Six closes September 15 · 11:59 PM CT
NOW OPEN
SOUNDS LIKE SUMMER - ENDS JUNE 15
THIS SUMMER, THE STAGE IS YOURS
Enter your lyrics for the chance to win a performance opportunity at Country Thunder Music Festival’s Songwriters Showcase.
★ GRAND PRIZE WINNER ★
- Performance Opportunity at Country Thunder
- Festival Passes for Winner + Guest
- Airfare + Lodging for Winner
- Feature on American Songwriter
- American Songwriter Membership
- Eligible for all contest prizes
ADDITIONAL WINNERS (1 PER CONTEST)
- Feature on American Songwriter
- American Songwriter Membership
- Eligible for all contest prizes
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE IN
ENTER NOW
Open to U.S. residents 18+. International entrants and those under 18 are eligible for all regular contest prizes, including runner-up Sounds Like Summer prizes.
The Grand Prize
The Dream Day on Music Row
Six session winners each year. One of them wins the Dream Day: a co-write, a mentorship, a pro demo, and a trip to Nashville.
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David Ryan Harris
Has written and performed with John Mayer, India.Arie, Dave Matthews, and Nelly.
Write a song side by side with him in Nashville.
Past Dream Co-Writes: Chris Stapleton · Chris Daughtry · Mary Gauthier · Jim Lauderdale · Ashley Monroe
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Jessie Jo Dillon
Two-time ACM and NMPA Songwriter of the Year. GRAMMY-nominated writer behind hits for Morgan Wallen, Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, and Kelsea Ballerini.
A one-on-one mentorship session on your writing.
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A full-band demo
Cut at a premier Nashville recording studio with session players.
You leave with a professional recording of your song.
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We fly you in
Round-trip flights to Nashville and two nights at a premier hotel.
Travel and lodging are covered. The rest of Nashville is yours to explore.
Every Session
Session Winner Prizes
Six session winners a year, and each one takes home the full package.
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A feature in American Songwriter
Your story and your song, in the print magazine and online.
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Epiphone 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue
The Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop acoustic, in Vintage Sunburst.
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JBL 3 Series Studio Monitors
Reference monitors so you can hear what you actually wrote.
It isn't only first place
Every session, all 15 finalists are featured in American Songwriter, in print and online. First through fourth place have their lyrics published. The 11 honorable mentions are named alongside their song title.
90 songwriters featured every year
Every entry is read by a professional songwriter. The top 15 go to the judges.
$15 per lyric · Session Six closes September 15
The Panel
Meet the 2026 Judges
Grammy winners, hit songwriters, and major label artists. All 13 read the top 15 every session.
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The Band Perry
GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM winners. "If I Die Young" went 9x Platinum. Six #1 singles and more than a billion streams.
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Parker Welling
GRAMMY-nominated. Five multi-platinum #1s including "Yours" and "Blue Tacoma." Cuts by Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, and Carly Pearce.
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Caitlyn Smith
Has written for Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Meghan Trainor with John Legend.
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Chase McDaniel
Big Machine Records artist. Hit #1 on Billboard Country Digital Song Sales with "Project." Named a Rising Country Star by GRAMMY.com.
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Danielle Bradbery
ACM and CMT nominated. Charting singles "The Heart of Dixie" and "Worth It," with collaborations alongside Thomas Rhett and Zac Brown Band.
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Erin Enderlin
Opry regular. Has penned songs for Alan Jackson, Lee Ann Womack, Reba, Willie Nelson, and Shania Twain.
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Lily Rose
Broke through with viral hit "Villain." Toured with Sam Hunt, Luke Bryan, and Shania Twain, with acclaim from the ACM and GLAAD.
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Katie Pruitt
Georgia-bred singer-songwriter behind the acclaimed albums Expectations and Mantras.
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Baylee Littrell
American Idol standout who auditioned with an original song. Broadway debut at 13, earning a Drama Desk nomination.
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Kassi Ashton
MCA Nashville artist praised by Rolling Stone and People. Debut album Made From The Dirt.
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Harper Grace
Curb Records artist with 12 million streams and two TODAY Show performances. Opened for OneRepublic and Martina McBride.
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Jillian Jacqueline
Discovered as a child by Kenny Rogers. Has played the Ryman, the Grand Ole Opry, and Late Night with Seth Meyers.
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Tiera Kennedy
Featured vocalist on Beyonce's Cowboy Carter, the 2025 GRAMMY Album of the Year. Mentored by Shania Twain.
From Entry to Breakthrough
Where this has taken people
Two songwriters who entered the same contest you're looking at.
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Lyric Contest Winner
Lance Carpenter
Billboard #1
A farm kid from Ozark, Arkansas who taught himself guitar. He won the Lyric Contest, then co-wrote Love Me Like You Mean It with Kelsea Ballerini, Josh Kerr, and Forest Glen Whitehead. It was her debut single. On July 4, 2015, it went to No. 1.
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Lyric Contest Winner
Matt Hoggatt
Signed by Jimmy Buffett
A police detective in Gautier, Mississippi, playing Gulf Coast bars on weekends. His song Dear Jimmy Buffett asked Buffett for a record deal. It won the 2012 Lyric Contest. Buffett read the feature in the magazine, wrote a song back called Dear Matt Hoggatt, brought him onstage in front of 14,000 people, and signed him to Mailboat Records.
Buffett found Matt because of the magazine feature. That isn't the consolation prize. That's the distribution, and 15 songwriters get it every session.
Before You Enter
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before you submit. Still stuck on something? Ask us directly.
Contact UsHow much does it cost to enter?
$15 per lyric. That's one flat fee per submission, with nothing else to pay if you win.
Can I enter more than once?
Yes. There's no limit. Enter as many lyrics as you want, at $15 each, and every one is judged on its own.
When is the deadline?
Session Six closes September 15, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM CT. It's the final session of the year, and the last chance to be in the running for the Dream Day on Music Row.
The full 2026 schedule
- Session One November 15
- Session Two January 15
- Session Three March 15
- Session Four May 15
- Session Five July 15
- Session Six September 15
All deadlines are 11:59:59 PM CT.
Do I keep the rights to my lyrics?
Yes. Your song stays yours. We do not claim any rights to the lyrics you submit.
Is the contest international?
Yes. We accept submissions from any country. Lyrics must be written in English.
How are entries judged?
A professional songwriter reads every lyric submitted. Each session's top 15 are sent to our judges panel, who determine first through fourth place. All 15 finalists are featured in American Songwriter, in print and online.
How do I submit my lyrics?
Paste your lyrics into the designated area on the checkout form. That's the whole process.
Will I receive feedback on my entry?
Our judges don't give individual feedback, though a professional songwriter does read every entry. If you want notes on your writing, lyric critiques are included with a Diamond Membership.
How do I edit my entry?
Email our Customer Relations team with your Order ID and the change you need. We can't guarantee edits requested more than two weeks after your entry date.
When are winners announced?
Session Six winners are announced in November 2026. Winners are published roughly two months after each session closes.
$15 per lyric · Session Six closes September 15
More Contests
Do your lyrics already have a song?
The Lyric Contest judges the words and storytelling. If there's a recording behind them, these judge the whole thing, melody and production and performance. Same song, second shot.
Thanks to our sponsors for supporting songwriters
Sponsor perk
Nashville Demo Works, our preferred demo production partner, gives American Songwriter readers 10% off with the code ASW
Visit Nashville Demo Works
Session Winner Prizes
Six session winners each year win a prize package that includes a feature in American Songwriter magazine, a premium guitar, a condenser mic, and studio monitors.
Session Finalists Receive
Six session Runner Ups (2nd, 3rd, 4th) and Honorable Mentions receive a feature article in American Songwriter (Print Magazine and Digital)
From Entry to Breakthrough
From Lyric Contest Win to Billboard #1
From Lyric Contest Win to Signed by Jimmy Buffett
Meet the 2026 Judges
Grammy winners, hit songwriters, and major label artists
Frequently asked questions
If you’re still deciding whether to enter, you’re probably wondering how it all works. Here’s everything you need to know before beginning your entry process.
Have an additional question? Reach out to us directly below.
- Session One: Deadline is November 15th at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
- Session Two: Deadline is January 15th at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
- Session Three: Deadline is March 15th at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
- Session Four: Deadline is May 15th at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
- Session Five: Deadline is July 15th at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
- Session Six: Deadline is September 15th at 11:59:59 PM (CT)
Yes! We do NOT claim any rights to the lyrics submitted.
Yes! Submissions from any country are accepted. However, lyrics must be submitted in English.
$15 per submission
Copy and paste your lyrics into the designated area on the checkout form.
To edit your entry please email our Customer Relations team at info@americansongwriter.com with your Order ID and the edit you need to make.
*Note: We cannot guarantee that we will be able to edit your entry if you contact us more than 2 weeks after your entry date.
Our judges do not give individual feedback. If you are interested in having your lyrics reviewed, we have a lyric critique benefit that is included in our Diamond Memberships.
- Session One: Winners announced January 2026
- Session Two: Winners announced March 2026
- Session Three: Winners announced May 2026
- Session Four: Winners announced July 2026
- Session Five: Winners announced September 2026
- Session Six: Winners announced November 2026
