FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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 scale regardless of genre.
ABOUT ENTERING
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 online?
Entries will be accepted September 1, 2025 at 12:00pm central through October 31, 2025 at 5pm central.
Can I enter by mail?
No. We no longer accept entries submitted through mail-ins. All submissions must go through www.nsaisongcontest.com.
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 Grand Prize 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 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 and must provide accurate co-writer information at time of submission. For the purpose of this Contest, no co-writer or Songwriter may be subject to a current staff writing deal or publishing agreement or have an agreement with a record label or other entertainment-related entity, which provides rights in and/or to musical compositions or recordings entered into the 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 or has ever had a song appear on any of the following charts is not eligible to participate in the Contest: Airplay, 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 $45. If you are a member of NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association) each entry costs $35.
Each song or lyric entry must be submitted separately. There is no discount for multiple entries.
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.
When do you stop accepting submissions?
Entries will be accepted through October 31, 2025 at 5pm Central. The online submission portal will be closed at that time.
Who can I reach out to for additional questions?
Email any additional questions to nsaisongcontest@nashvillesongwriters.com or reach us by phone at 800.321.6008.
Are Submission using AI Eligible?
AI MUST NOT be used in the creation of the Song or Lyric of the submission to be eligible.
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 $35 for members, $45 for non-members.
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.
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!
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 and must provide accurate co-writer information at time of submission. For the purpose of this Contest, no co-writer or Songwriter may be subject to a current staff writing deal or publishing agreement or have an agreement with a record label or other entertainment-related entity, which provides rights in and/or to musical compositions or recordings entered into the 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 or has ever had a song appear on any of the following charts is not eligible to participate in the Contest: Airplay, 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 13 winners that receive prizes. Song Category: 1 Grand Prize, up to 9 Runners-Up. Lyric Category: 1 Lyric Category Winner, 2 Runners-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 September 1 - October 31, 2025. If you are selected as a finalist, you will be notified by phone or email no later than the December 2025. All winners will be notified of their placement no later than February 2026. 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 individual who enters the Song Contest will receive a FREE credit to submit a Song Evaluation through NSAI’s Online Services (any Song of your choosing, it does not have to be your entered song) and every entry submitted will have an accompanying judges scorecard that will be emailed to all entrants. This scorecard 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 scorecards are meant to serve as a useful guide and barometer for how the industry professional 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.
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 November 2025
Second round - November/December 2025
Third round - November/December 2025
Final round - January 2026
HOW DOES IT WORK
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 3 Lyric Category Finalists, and then the Lyric Category Grand Prize Winner and 2 Runners-Up.
Second round:
Song Category - Entries that scored in the top 8% for each judge proceeds 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 25 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.
Sample Scorecards:
Song Category
Lyric Category
Song Category Final Judging:
A panel 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 Song Category Grand Prize Winner. In the event of a tie, the publishing parter representative will determine the final winner.
After the Final Judging airs, all entry scorecards will be sent out to entrants by February 2026.
