MerleFest 2013: 21st Annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

The 21st annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (CASC) gives you the chance to have your songs heard by a panel of professional songwriters and other music industry professionals from the Nashville music community, as well as earn the chance to perform at the nationally acclaimed musical festival MerleFest in Wilkesboro, NC. (Last year's lineup featured Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Los Lobos, Assembly of Dust, among others).

Entrants must submit songs in one of four categories: Country, Bluegrass, General, and Gospel/Inspirational. There is no limit on the number of songs entered by each contestant. The entry fee is $30. Chris Austin Songwriting Contest invites three finalists in each category-based on judging by a panel of music industry professionals, to come to MerleFest for the finals on April 26, 2013. On-site judges for 2012 were Wylie Gustafson, Claire Lynch, Molly Nagel-Driessen, and Amanda Anne Platt.



The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category will receive the following:

1st Place Winners Receive

• A performance on the Cabin Stage at MerleFest


• A check for $500


• Two boxes of D'Addario strings


• A gift certificate from Jackson's Music


• Capos from G7th The Capo Company

• A slot on the Friday night Songwriters Coffeehouse at MerleFest


• A check for $250


• One box of D'Addario strings


• A gift certificate from Jackson's Music


• Capos from G7th The Capo Company

• A slot on the Friday night Songwriters Coffeehouse at MerleFest


• A check for $50


• One box of D'Addario strings


• A gift certificate from Jackson's Music


• Capos from G7th The Capo Company

All finalists will receive a one-year subscription to Acoustic Guitar Magazine and a one-year Supersonic membership from Sonicbids.

"Being a part of the CASC was one of the highlights of our 2011 season. Sonicbids made it easy to submit and the contest was one of the best run, most friendly and enjoyable contests we've been a part of. And don't worry, we had decided this even before they announced that we won 1st place. Thanks for a great opportunity!"


-- Driftwood Fire (2011 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest 1st Place winners, Bluegrass)

The Chris Austin Songwriting Contest is open to those whose primary source of income is not derived from songwriting or publishing. Finalists will be asked to sign an Acknowledgment of Eligibility Form. First place winners during the past five years may not re-enter in the specific category in which they won. Second and third place winners during the past year may not re-enter the same song. Co-writers are subject to the same eligibility requirements as the entrant. Each song submitted must have both instrumentation and lyrics. No instrumental songs.



Now in its 25th year, MerleFest is a renowned "traditional-plus" music festival devoted to the memory of Eddy Merle Watson. As Doc Watson described it, "When Merle and I started out we called our music 'traditional-plus,' meaning the traditional music of the Appalachian region plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play." Since 1988, MerleFest has drawn numerous talented musicians to its grounds to honor Eddy Merle Watson, including Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Lyle Lovett, The Doobie Brothers, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Emmy Lou Harris, Taj Mahal, Steve Martin, Vince Gill, The Zac Brown Band, and countless others. In April 2012, MerleFest had a total participation of nearly 77,700 for the four days with some 90 artists and bands that performed on one or more of the festival’s twelve stages.

2013 lineup announcement coming soon!

The Chris Austin Songwriting Contest supports the Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship established at Wilkes Community College.