7th Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival Song Competition

Songs and Places is a competition to find the best original song in English that includes reference to a place such as a street/road, town, city or country. Five Sonicbids artists are guaranteed to be selected: one overall winner and four finalists. Each year the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival celebrates the art of song writing and the Sister Cities link between Belfast and Nashville, although the contest is for artists anywhere in the world. The artist with the winning song will earn: Cash prize of $1000 or £600, option of a showcase at 7th Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival, entry to all festival concerts and the Song Writing Convention./n/nSongs and Places is a competition to find the best original song in English that includes reference to a place such as a street/road, town, city or country. Five Sonicbids artists are guaranteed to be selected: one overall winner and four finalists.



Each year the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival celebrates the art of song writing and the Sister Cities link between Belfast and Nashville, although the contest is for artists anywhere in the world. The artist with the winning song will earn: Cash prize of $1000 or £600, option of a showcase at 7th Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival, entry to all festival concerts and the Song Writing Convention.



Over the 5 days, more than 150 songwriters will perform in 40 concerts and hit writers such as Brian Kennedy, Billy Bragg, John Brannen and Nik Kershaw will deliver seminars and workshops on the art of song writing.



Internationally acclaimed writers from all over the world are brought in. Leading music industry individuals and organisations have participated, including performance rights organisations BMI, ASCAP, PRS and IMRO. With several hundred writers attending the festival and convention, it is an excellent networking opportunity. There are many success stories of songwriters finding publishers and co-writers.



Original, unpublished new songs from both amateurs and professionals are encouraged.



The winning songwriter will receive:

• Cash prize of $1000 or £600


• Option of a showcase at 7th Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival


• Entry to all festival concerts & the Song Writing Convention in Belfast Northern Ireland, 23rd-27th February 2011

Four runners up will receive:

• Option of a showcase at 7th Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival


• Entry to all festival concerts & the Song Writing Convention in Belfast Northern Ireland, 23rd-27th February 2011

Recent featured writers include Midge Ure, Nanci Griffith, Colin Hay, Paul Overstreet, Paul Brady, Raul Malo, Don Schlitz, Chris Difford (Squeeze) and Ricky Ross (Deacon Blue). Local songwriters who have gained from the festival include, Gareth Dunlop, Eilidh Patterson, Bap Kennedy and Foy Vance to name just a few. See www.belfastnashville.com