The Great American Song Contest 
Created By Songwriters For Songwriters

As songwriters we understand the advantages of finding opportunities in the music business.

That said, we seriously question the value of large commercial competitions — those so-called "song lotteries" that collect 20,000 to 30,000 entries each year. They boast a lot of hype, but provide no clear way for songwriters to know if their songs are thoroughly reviewed or fairly considered.

Another problem with the "Big-Cash-Prize" competitions is obvious: They reward only a few winning songwriters while all other songwriters receive nothing for their creative efforts and entry fees.

The Great American Song Contest™ is a distinctly different kind of songwriting competition — and a far better choice for most songwriters, lyricists and composers.

* Top 10 Reasons This Contest Is Best *

• Fair and Limited Competition: The Great American Song Contest is open to amateur and semi-pro songwriters only — not professionals who make thousands of dollars in royalties (see Rules & Entry). Most other competitions have no such limit, so their winners might be established pros with lucrative publishing contracts.

• More Chances To Win:Unlike "Big Cash Prize" events that take in 20,000 to 30,000 entries, the Great American Song Contest limits annual entries to 5,000. This not only increases the odds of winning for entrants, it also ensures that the judges have adequate time to review each song carefully.

• Knowledgeable & Supportive Judges: Great American Song Contest judges thoroughly review each song, then provide helpful and detailed evaluations. Every songwriter receives a written evaluation of their songs from contest Judges. (See Judges & Judging)

• Clear Accountability: Unlike other songwriting contests, the Great American Song Contest is transparently accountable. You won't need to wonder if your songs were carefully reviewed and fairly considered. That will be obvious from the detailed evaluations you receive from the contest judges.

• Focus On the Song: GASC Judges focus only on the songwriting — lyrics, melody & song structure — NOT on the vocal performances, instrumentation or recording quality.

• No Unfair Creative Bias:Some contests favor "commercial" songs over "artistic" songs. Judges in the Great American Song Contest weigh commercial songs equally with creatively artistic songs. (See What Songwriters Are Saying about GASC)

• No Arbitrary Time Limits: All songs are judged on their own merits. Unlike with many other contests, no arbitrary length is imposed on any song.

• Reliable Customer Service: When you submit songs, you will promptly receive an entry confirmation. As the deadline approaches we'll send you a detailed Judging schedule so you'll know when the winners will be announced and how the whole evaluation process works.

• Affordable Entry Fees: Isn't it amazing how much some contests charge, even though they offer no clear benefit for most songwriters who enter? The Great American Song Contest offers lower entry fees and still provides a clear benefit for all songwriters who enter.

• A Sensible Bottom Line: The Great American Song Contest provides a rewarding experience — and valuable feedback from experts in the music industry — for every songwriter who participates.

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This annual International event is open to Songwriters,
Lyricists & Composers around the World 

How To Enter — Online or by Mail  

Not ready to enter? No problem. Click this banner and we'll send an event reminder prior to our deadline:

For Prizes & Benefits, Rules & Entry and Contest Categories, see links at the TOP of this page.

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The Great American Song Contest: A Brief History

As a trusted educational resource for songwriters, Songwriters Resource Network in 1998 set out to create a better songwriting contest, one that would offer real advantages to songwriters and serve as a practical alternative to the Big-Cash-Prize competitions.

In 1999 the Great American Song Contest™ was announced, quickly gaining a reputation as a "genuinely rewarding song contest that provides opportunities for songwriters to develop and promote their songs."

In the 15 years that followed the Great American Song Contest established a worldwide reputation as a highly recommended International songwriting event that benefits EVERY songwriter, lyricist and composer who participates.

Great American Song Contest
Success Stories