FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT ENTERING
Is this contest open to all genres?
Yes. NSAI may be based in Nashville, but we serve writers of all genres! In fact, many of our recent Grand Prize-winning songs have been in genres outside of country, including pop, contemporary Christian, rock and singer-songwriter. All songs are judged upon the same 10-point scale regardless of genre.
Is there an age requirement to submit?
Yes. Writers who are 13 or older can submit to our contest. Minors under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian fill out the appropriate areas of the application form in order to be eligible.
How do I enter by mail?
Beginning August 1, 2023 at 12:00pm central, click HERE to access a printable submission form. Fill it out completely and mail the form along with your payment, CD and lyric sheet to the address listed on the application. Be thorough, missing information or materials will delay the processing of your entry and could possibly keep your song from being considered in the contest. Mail-ins must be postmarked by 09/30/23.
How do I enter online?
Entries will be accepted August 1, 2023 at 12:00pm central through September 30, 2023 at 5pm central.
I made changes to an entry I submitted, can I change my submission?
Once a song is submitted it goes into the judging process. Typically songs cannot be adjusted after entered, but you may send an inquiry to nsaisongcontest@nashvillesongwriters.com to discuss the status.
If my song placed in last year’s contest, can I resubmit it again this year?
If your entry won the Song Category Grand Prize or Lyric Category award in the previous year, it is not eligible for submission the following year; however runners-up and honorable mention songs may be re-submitted.
Can I drop off my entry in-person?
Absolutely. If you live in Nashville, save a stamp. In-person submissions will be accepted at NSAI's office at 1710 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN, during business hours Monday through Friday 10am-4pm Central. Submissions can be given to the receptionist. Payments can be made by check or with the receptionist directly.
Can I submit a song I wrote with, or for, another person?
Yes, though there are some important distinctions. Many songs are co-written with two or even three or more people. We welcome co-written songs into our contest. The person who submits the song to the contest will be the one eligible to receive any potential prize distribution. A Songwriter submitting a song with multiple co-writers must have all co-writers consent to participate in this Contest. For the purpose of this Contest, no co-writer or Songwriter may be subject to a current agreement with a publishing company, record label or other entity to render recording services that is currently in effect and/or have agreed to provide rights in and to musical compositions or recordings to any such company, label or entity. Any Songwriter or co-writer (of submitted song) who derives the majority of their income from songwriting, currently has a staff writing deal with a publishing company, or has ever had a song appear on any of the following charts is not eligible to participate in the Contest; Billboard, Mediabase, and/or Radio & Records (R&R).
What do I do if my phone number or email changes after I have submitted?
If your contact information changes during the course of the contest, please contact us at nsaisongcontest@nashvillesongwriters.com and type SONG CONTEST ADDRESS CHANGE in the Subject field. You may also call us at 800-321-6008. We need accurate contact info to reach out to the winners and to send out scorecards.
How much does it cost to submit and do I get a discount if I submit more than one entry?
Cost per entry is $49. If you are a member of NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association) each entry costs $39.
Each song or lyric entry must be submitted separately. There is no discount for multiple entries.
I am submitting more than one entry, can I pay with one check?
Yes. If you send in multiple songs in the same package, you can include one check written in the full amount. However for entry purposes, please be sure to fill out a separate entry form and provide each song (if applicable) on it’s own CD.
Can I enter both categories?
Yes, although you must fill out two separate submission forms and pay for two separate entries. Each entry must have a separate entry form and payment.
Do you accept instrumental submissions?
No. Currently the contest only accepts full song and lyric-only submissions, there is not a category for instrumental-only entries.
I am a member of NSAI, why do I not see the $10 savings?
Be sure that you are logged into your NSAI account so that the savings is applied. Each contest entry is $39 for members, $49 for non-members.
I am not a good singer, can I get someone else to sing my submission?
Yes! Many songwriters have someone else sing their song (demo singers, friends, family). Whatever you think is the best portrayal of your work!
Does my song submission need to be a professional recording?
Absolutely not! Submit your song in the best way possible to represent you. A simple guitar/vocal or piano/vocal work-tape is more than enough in most cases. HOWEVER please be sure the recording is good quality where your song can be heard well. Be sure there is no ambient noise in the background and that the melody and tempo are accurate.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT?
The Contest is open only to Songwriters who are legal residents of the United States or the District of Columbia (excluding residents of Maryland, Colorado and Connecticut), Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom and Australia, 13 years of age or older., unless otherwise prohibited.
Due to local restrictions, residents of Maryland, Colorado, Connecticut and Quebec may not enter. Eligible minors (ages 13-17 years) must obtain their parents' or legal guardians' permission prior to participating. A Songwriter submitting a song with multiple co-writers must have all co-writers' consent to participate in this Contest. For the purpose of this Contest, no co-writer or Songwriter may be subject to a current agreement with a publishing company, record label or other entertainment-related entity to render recording or songwriting services that is currently in effect and/or have agreed to provide rights in and to musical compositions or recordings entered to contest to any such company, label or entity at the time of song(s) entry. Any Songwriter or co-writer (of submitted song) who at the time of entry derives the majority of their income from songwriting, currently has a staff writing deal with a publishing company, or has ever had a song appear on any of the following charts is not eligible to participate in the Contest Billboard, Mediabase, and/or Radio & Records (R&R).
Employees and their immediate families (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside or those living in the same households, whether or not related) of NSAI, Country Music Television, Inc. ("CMT"), ViacomCBS, a division of ViacomCBS Networks International Inc. (together with CMT, "ViacomCBS"), Bluebird Cafe, and all other Contest sponsors and each of their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, licensees, successors and assigns, officers, directors, contractors, partners, shareholders, representatives, members, agents, employees, and advertising and promotion agencies, web developers and marketing agents (collectively with Promoter Parties, the "Released Parties") are not eligible to participate in the Contest. NSAI reserves the right to require Songwriters to prove that they are eligible. Void in Maryland, Colorado, Connecticut, Quebec and where prohibited by law. Contest is subject to all applicable federal, provincial, territorial, state, national and local laws.
ABOUT PRIZES
How many winners are there?
In total there are 12 winners that receive prizes. Song Category: 1 Grand Prize, up to 9 Runners-Up. Lyric Category: 1 Lyric Category Winner, 1 Runner-Up.
Up to 10 additional songs in the Song Category will be recognized as Honorable Mentions.
Where can I find a list of prizes?
You can visit HERE at any time for a complete list of prizes.
When will I find out the contest results?
Submissions run from August 1 - September 30, 2023. If you are selected as a finalist, you will be notified by phone or email no later than the December 2023. All winners will be notified of their placement no later than January 2024. Once all winners have been announced, NSAI will begin sending out the judging scorecards.
If I don’t place in the contest, will I receive anything?
Yes! Every song or lyric, regardless of final placement will receive judging score sheets. This score sheet will reflect the sum of your scores for each category. It is not meant as an in-depth critique such as you might receive from NSAI’s Song Evaluation Service, for example. Rather, these score sheets are meant to serve as a useful guide and barometer for how industry professionals viewed your song.
How are the prizes divided amongst co-writers?
The official winner and recipient of the prizes is the co-writer that entered the winning submission. It is up to each winning entrant on if/how the prizes are divided up amongst their co-writers.
If I mailed in or dropped off my entry, will it be returned to me at the end of the contest?
No. We will not be able to return CDs or other packages received during the contest.
ABOUT JUDGING
Who judges the submitted songs?
We bring in multiple industry professionals throughout the judging process to review and evaluate entries.
When does judging take place?
There are several rounds of judging:
First round - Takes place from September through October 2023 / / Second round - November 2023
/ / Third round - December 2023 / / Final round - December 2023
Third round:
Song Category - A group of 8-10 music industry professionals collectively listen to the remaining entries to determine the Top 10 finalists and up to 10 honorable mentions.
Lyric Category - A group of 8-10 music industry professionals collectively review the remaining entries to determine the Lyric Category Winner and Runner-Up.
Second round:
Song Category - Entries that scored in the top 5% proceed to Round 2 where they are judged by 2-3 music industry professionals to determine advancement to Round 3.
Lyric Category - Entries that are in the Top 20 highest scores are evaluated by 2-3 music industry professionals to determine advancement to Round 3.
First round:
Each entry is evaluated with numerical scorecards by an anonymous industry professional.
Scorecards are sent out after final judging is complete and contest winners have been announced.
HOW DOES IT WORK
Song Category Final Judging:
A panel of of up to 5 music industry professionals will listen and score each of the Top 10 songs on a scale of 1-10. The entry receiving the highest total score will be deemed the Grand Prize Winner. In the event of a tie, an Anthem Entertainment representative will determine the final winner.
After the Final Judging airs, all entry scorecards will be sent out to entrants by January 2024.
When do you stop accepting submissions?
Entries will be accepted through September 30, 2023 at 5pm Central. The online submission portal will be closed at that time, and
all mail-in entries must be postmarked by September 30, 2023.
Do you have additional questions?
Email any additional questions to nsaisongcontest@nashvillesongwriters.com or reach us by phone at 800.321.6008.
