American Songwriter Amateur Lyric Contest (Apr-Jun '12)

American 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:

• Sheryl Crow Southern Jumbo Special Edition Gibson Guitar (MSRP $6233.00)


• Shure Microphone

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

• Round Trip airfare for two to Nashville


• One page Lyric Spotlight Feature in upcoming issue of American Songwriter


• "Dream Co-Write" - American Songwriter will schedule a “Dream Co-Writing Session” for the winner with a veteran Music Row songwriter and also coordinate a recording of the new song with a professional demo company, valued at more than $600. Past “Dream Co-Write Sessions” have been held with artists such as Chris Young, Jim Lauderdale, Rodney Crowell and many more.

In 2010, 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.



Click here to hear from the 2011 winner Bill Dee and his co-writing session with RCA Recording Artist Chris Young.

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 Gibson Guitars and Shure Microphones.

The entry fee is $12.00 per song and includes a single issue of American Songwriter magazine (Applies to US entrants only. Current Issue will be sent at the end of Contest). You may submit as many entries as you like for each bi-monthly contest.