Prizes, Judging and Performance
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category. All prizes will be awarded to name on entry form. Prizes are awarded jointly to all authors. Division of prizes among co-authors is the responsibility of winners. The winner of all prizes worth $600 or more will receive a 1099-MISC. Taxes are the responsibility of winners. Void where prohibited. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Non US citizens are subject to US taxes when prize is received.
1st Place Winners Receive
- A performance on the Cabin Stage at MerleFest
- A check for $500
- Two boxes of D'Addario strings
- A gift certificate from Jackson's Music
- Capos from the G7th The Capo Company
2nd Place Winners Receive
- A slot on the Friday night Songwriters Coffeehouse
- A check for $250
- One box of D'Addario strings
- A gift certificate from Jackson's Music
- Capos from the G7th The Capo Company
3rd Place Winners Receive
- A slot on the Friday night Songwriters Coffeehouse
- A check for $50
- One box of D'Addario strings
- A gift certificate from Jackson's Music
- Capos from the G7th The Capo Company
All finalists will receive a one-year subscription to Acoustic Guitar Magazine and Sonicbids and strings from Kyser Musical Products.
Performance
The on-site live competition takes place at the Chris Austin Stage in Alumni Hall on the campus of Wilkes Community College on festival Friday. Each songwriter must perform on stage and allowed one accompanist. When there are two or more songwriters the limit on stage is three individuals.
Judging
Entries will be judged by a panel of professional songwriters, publishers, or other music industry professionals from the Nashville music community who volunteer their time. Please know that all submissions are listened to and treated fairly by a team of volunteer judges. The preliminary judging is in Nashville and will continue to be due to the volume of industry professionals that can be drawn upon for their expertise. All entries will be judged on originality, lyrics, melody and the song's overall commercial potential. Music production and performance quality are not considered.
All decisions by judges will be final. Finalists will be determined and posted on the website the week of April 1, 2013. Only finalists will be personally notified. No entrants will be provided with scores or evaluations of their entries; it is not feasible at this time due to the number of entries.
2013 Judges for the on-site competition: Matraca Berg, Lynda Dawson, and Chris Smither.