17th Annual USA Songwriting Competition

***Submissions will be open exclusively through Sonicbids from July 24, 2012 until July 30, 2012 at 11:59pm EST. All submissions during this period will receive a free songwriting critique courtesy of USA Songwriting Competition***

The USA Songwriting Competition, the world's leading international songwriting event, has been honoring songwriters, composers, bands and recording artists everywhere since 1995. Winners are selected by a Blue Ribbon committee of music industry judges including record label publishers, producers from Universal Music, Warner, EMI, Sony/BMG Music and other distinguished professionals. Prizes include over $50,000 in cash and merchandise from Sony, Ibanez Guitars, D'Addario Strings, IK Multimedia, Audio-Technica and more.

Prizes for the 17th Annual USA Songwriting Competition:

• Grand Prize: $50,000 in cash and merchandise


• Overall Second Prize: $9,000 worth of merchandise


• Overall Third Prize: $6,500 worth of merchandise


• 15 First Place Category Prizes: $2,200 worth of merchandise


• 20 Honorable Mentions: $350 worth of merchandise


• Radio airplay in over 60 cities in the US and Canada, as well as XM Satellite Radio

This is a chance to be discovered by the biggest names in the music business and a shot at the big time for songwriters, original solo artists and bands everywhere. The USA Songwriting Competition is a contest that might just open the right doors, make the right connections and get your songs heard. This is not American Idol, this is a songwriting competition that gives you the clout it takes to make it!

Entries for the 17th Annual USA Songwriting Competition are currently being accepted in the following 15 categories: Pop, Rock/Alternative, Country, R&B, Gospel/Inspirational, Folk, Latin, Instrumental, Jazz, Hip-Hop/Rap, Childrens, World, Dance/Electronica, Novelty/Comedy, and Lyrics Only.


Selected songs will receive airplay on a nationally syndicated radio program serving over 60 cities in North America and Canada (“Acoustic Café”) and XM Radio. This airplay gives deserving bands and songwriters the recognition and exposure they deserve.

To have been writing pop songs since I was 12 years old and then to actually win the Grand Prize of the USA Songwriting Competition has probably been the most validating feeling I've ever experienced working in the music business. It was almost as if every door that had been slammed in my face, every negative criticism I had to take and every rejection I had to face had suddenly vanished from my memory. And aside from all the great prizes that were delivered to my door on a given day, the icing on the cake has been the feeling that the people behind the USA Songwriting Competition are really rooting for you and wanting to help you take full advantage of all the possible opportunities there are to get your music out there. That kind of support from your fellow music industry professionals is vital in this cut throat business!


- Sonicbids member Sir Ari Gold, Grand Prize winner of the 12th Annual USA Songwriting Competition

Sonicbids winners from last year’s contest include:

• First Prize (Folk): Orly


• First Prize (Lyrics Only): Ed Romanoff


• First Prize (Hip-Hop/Rap): Ashleigh Eymann


• First Prize (Children): Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer


• First Prize (Gospel/Inspirational): Nianell


• First Prize (Rock/Alternative): Simon Spire

Sponsors include: New Music Weekly, Sony, Audio-Technica, D'Addario, PreSonus and more.