American Songwriter Amateur Lyric Contest (Nov/Dec 2011)

The American Songwriter Magazine Amateur Lyric Contest. American Songwriter magazine sponsors a bi-monthly Amateur Lyric Contest, established in 1984. The bi-monthly winner will have their lyrics printed in the magazine and will receive a Martin guitar and a Shure Microphone. The Annual Winner will receive Round Trip airfare for two to Nashville and amaster production demo from Music City Music Productions, Inc. valued at over $1500. Finally, the annual winner receives a "Dream Co-writing Session"opportunity, and choose one of two hit songwriters Kent Blazy or Bobby Braddock to write with./n/nAmerican Songwriter magazine sponsors a bi-monthly Amateur Lyric Contest, established in 1984. The contest is open to any amateur songwriters of all genres, but no music-only lyrics are needed. The winning lyrics, along with the three runners-up, will be printed in their entirety in the coinciding issues of American Songwriter magazine. 10-12 honorable mentions from the contests will be credited in each issue as well. All winners and honorable mentions will also be posted on AmericanSongwriter.com on the day (or before) each issue hits newsstands.

The writer(s) of the winning lyrics will receive a prize package including:

• DX1 Martin guitar, valued at $699.00


• Shure Microphone

The Annual Winner, chosen from the six bi-monthly contest winners, will receive:

• Round Trip airfare for two to Nashville


• Recording of the new song with a professional demo company, valued at more than $600


• Finally, the annual winner receives a "Dream Co-writing Session" opportunity. This year, the annual winner will receive a “Dream Co-writing Session” with RCA Recording Artist Chris Young. Chris just scored his 4th #1 hit on Country Radio with "Tomorrow" and wrote/co-wrote 7 of the 10 songs on his new album Neon.

Last year, Sonicbids artist Ryan Tanner won a co-writing session with Jim Lauderdale.

“Honestly the American Songwriter contest was one of the best things to happen in my career as a musician.”



“I have been a fan of [Jim Lauderdale’s] for so long, that I’ll count it as one of the great experiences of my life just to sit and work with him.”



“As far as the American Songwriter folks ... some of the finest people I have met. [They] are doing such a great thing … what they are doing in every issue is something that is completely unique, and I don’t know of another magazine that is writing about such a vast collection of artists and performers. I can say that they are a vital part of American music. I don't know where we could turn without it.”

For a full recap, check out his interview here.


Click here to see American Songwriter’s announcement of Ryan as the winner.


Click here to learn more about the co-write session with Jim Lauderdale.

Entries are judged by a panel of professional & hit songwriters, music publishers, record label A&R executives, performance rights representatives, and the American Songwriter editorial board. Judges come from esteemed companies both large and small, including Universal Music Publishing Group, Dualtone Records, Bug Music, ASCAP, Capitol Records, SESAC, Universal Records (MCA/Mercury), BMI, KOCH Records, and more...



Sponsors include Martin Guitars and Shure Microphones.

Free Subscription: The American Songwriter Lyric Contest is now offering all who enter The Lyric Contest (domestic residents only) a complimentary 1-year subscription to American Songwriter magazine (a value of $12.00!), the leading music publication covering The Craft of Music since 1984. Your subscription will be entered automatically and you'll receive your first issue within 4-6 weeks. So, it's not necessary to follow-up to make sure your subscription is accounted for.

American Songwriter magazine, and the AS Amateur Lyric Contest, are in their 24th year, interpreting both the art and industry of songwriting through in-depth interviews, street-wise columns, departmental features, and extensive coverage of new record releases. There is something here for all levels—professional, amateur, and aspiring songwriters.