Podunk Songwriters Contest 2022

The Annual Podunk Bluegrass Festival’s songwriting contest gets underway annually on November 1.  Songwriters have until April 30 to enter. The top three winners will receive cash prizes and other amenities, including the opportunity to perform their song on stage during the upcoming festival if they wish.

ELIGIBILITY

The Podunk Bluegrass Songwriting Contest (PBSC) is open to those whose primary source of income (50% or more) is not derived from songwriting or publishing. Income from performing gigs is not songwriting income. Writers who have won First place for three consecutive years in this contest are restricted from entering again for the next five years following their most recent win. Co-writers are subject to the same eligibility requirements as the named entrant.

BLUEGRASS GENRE GUIDELINES

Bluegrass is a style of acoustic music that originated in the 1940s when Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs combined elements of country/western, gospel and blues music with the British, Irish, and Scottish music of their Appalachian mountain heritage. It is played most commonly on the mandolin, fiddle, five-string banjo, six-string guitar, and upright bass, but the resonator guitar (“Dobro”), harmonica, and electric bass are also found in bluegrass. Percussion is not generally used, with the insistent rhythm being a result of the interplay of the stringed instruments. Bluegrass music is often called “that high lonesome sound” but it includes a wide range of lively instrumentals, sweet ballads in three-part harmony, soulful A Capella gospel quartets and up-tempo love songs.

SUBMISSIONS BY MAIL:

Send the following with each entry:
a) One completed entry form per song (photocopy acceptable).
b) Entries may be submitted on CD labeled with song title and entrant’s name or electronically as an mp3 file. Note: M4A format not acceptable. Multiple entries on a single CD are acceptable.
c) Release form signed by the submitter.
d) Typed or printed lyric sheet. Place writers name(s) at the bottom of the lyric sheet to facilitate easy concealment from judging panel.

e) Check or money order for $25.00 (U.S. currency) for each entry, payable to Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival. Payment may also be made through the Podunk Bluegrass Website under tickets and then Songwriters Tickets (check link on website songwriters page) or through PayPal. Do not send cash.

CD copy to be labeled with song title and entrant’s name. Lyric sheet to include writer name(s) at bottom of the page to facilitate easy concealment from judging panel.

MAIL ENTRIES TO:

The Podunk Bluegrass Songwriting Contest
C/O Myrna Riquier
123 Bedlam Road
Chaplin, CT 06235
or submit song in MP3 format and lyric sheet in .doc format by email to
[email protected] Entries must be received by May 1. Email entries will be confirmed to the sender. Entries received after the deadline will not be considered.

Electronic Submissions
Items to be attached to the email sent to [email protected]
a) Signed copies of Contestant Entry form and the Release
b) Typed or printed lyric sheet.
c) Audio recording of the song in mp3 format only. M4A format not acceptable.

Payment instructions
a) Go to podunkbluegrass.com
b) Tickets
c) Songwriters Tickets (check link on website songwriters page)
d) or pay via PayPal

SONGWRITING ENTRIES

All entries must be the original work of contestant. Contestant may enter as many songs as desired. Each song, however, constitutes a separate entry and must have its own entry form, lyric sheet, release, and recorded MP3 (not M4A) or CD submission. Check, money order or online payment must reflect the total number of songs submitted All applicable U.S. copyright laws apply, and all rights to submitted material remain entirely with the copyright holder. PBSC acquires no rights to any works submitted. Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, insufficient postage, stolen, or misappropriated entries. Entry fees are non-refundable.

It is Podunk’s policy that the top six finalist songs be provided to all Main Stage and Showcase bands at the upcoming festival. However, if the submitter indicates on the entry form that they do not want their music provided to Festival performers, Podunk will honor that directive.

JUDGING

Entries will be judged by music industry professionals from the Podunk Bluegrass Festival music community. All entries will be judged on originality of lyrics, melody and the song’s overall craft. Of major significance will be how closely the song meets the guidelines for bluegrass music. (See “Bluegrass Guidelines” above) Recording and performance quality do not affect judging. All decisions by judges are final and not subject to inquiry or appeal. Finalists will be determined and notified around the first week of July. Only finalists will be personally notified. The contest will not release judges’ scores nor provide personal evaluations.

FINALISTS

Writers of the top three songs will be invited to perform on the Main Stage at the next Podunk festival in Goshen, CT. Transportation to and from the festival and any other expenses are the responsibility of the finalist. Co-writers will be treated as one writer for credentials and prizes.

INDEMNITY AND RELEASE

Signature on entry form constitutes that the song submitted is an original work and releases The Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival Songwriting Contest, its judges, sponsors, and The Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival from all liability. Entry also constitutes permission to use winner’s name and likeness for future advertising and publicity without compensation. By entering, entrants agree that they have no right to bring, and covenant not to bring any claim, action, or proceeding of any kind or nature whatsoever against PBMF, or any other sponsoring organization or judge in connection with this competition