Entries must be received by December 10, 2008.
1) Each song submitted must be contestant's original work. Songs may not exceed five (5) minutes in length. Contestant may submit as many songs as he/she wishes. Each song requires a separate CD or regular sized cassette and lyric sheet. (Entry fee is non-refundable. The Nashville Songwriters Association International- NSAI - is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, misappropriated, postage due, or stolen entries.)
2) Division of prizes among co-writers is the responsibility of winners; prizes will be awarded to name on entry form. Void where prohibited. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.
3) Contest is open to amateur songwriters who are at least 18 years of age or older by August 1, 2008 only. Any entrant who is a minor in his/her jurisdiction of legal residence will be required to obtain the permission of his/her parent or legal guardian to participate in this Contest. Writers who derive the majority of their income from songwriting or have ever had a staff writing deal with a publishing company may not enter. No songs under a professional contract may be entered. Employees of NSAI, their families, subsidiaries, and affiliates are not eligible.
4) A Judging Committee comprised of music industry professionals, award-winning songwriters, NSAI Pro Songwriters, and NSAI Board Members will select winners. Songs will be judged based on melody, composition and lyrics. The quality of performance and production will not be considered.
5) Winners will be notified by mail and must sign and return an affidavit of eligibility/recording rights/publicity release within 14 days of notification date. The affidavit will state that winner's song is original work and he/she holds all rights to the song. Failure to sign and return such affidavit within 14 days or provision of false/inaccurate information therein will result in immediate disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected. Affidavits of winners under 18 years of age at time of award must be countersigned by parent or legal guardian. Affidavits subject to verification by NSAI and its agents. Entry constitutes permission to use winners' names, likenesses, and voices for future advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation.
6) Winners will be announced by April 1, 2009, (or before) after which a complete list of winners will be posted online at www.nashvillesongwriters.com and NSAI.CMT.com. If you wish to receive a list of winners by mail, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your entry. CDs, cassettes and lyric sheets will not be returned. Please do not call NSAI to check on the status of your song.
7) Contestant's submission of an entry into the contest constitutes his/her agreement to release, indemnify and hold harmless NSAI and its agents and MTV Networks from and against any claim, including, without limitation, of copyright infringement or other misappropriation, arising from any acts or omissions in connection with the contest or its operation. All Contestants must sign (i) an affidavit of eligibility and release of MTV Networks, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Viacom International Inc., CMT, CMT.com and any other sponsors from any and all liability, claims, demands, and causes of action for personal injury and/or damage, theft, or loss suffered in connection with this promotion or the use or acceptance of the prize or any portion thereof to be eligible for the prizes; and (ii) except where prohibited, a promotional release granting the right to use his or her name and likeness for advertising and publicity purposes by CMT, and on CMT.com without additional compensation. Entry into this Contest constitutes contestant's agreement to sign such releases.
8) Grand Prize Winner and CMT Listeners' Choice Award Winner Notification: In regards to CMT's prizes awarded to the Grand Prize Winner and to the CMT Listeners' Choice Award Winner, CMT will make reasonable attempts to make contact. Winners must respond to CMT within 30 days.
9) CMT will post, and stream live, contest winning songs on cmt.com. The aforementioned affidavit stating that the winner's song is original work and he/she holds all rights to the song will include language to allow this streaming.
10) Winners are responsible for any and all taxes derived from and/or through the competition, and their winnings, if applicable.
GRAND PRIZE WINNER:
- Offered one single-song publishing contract by a major publisher for winning song.
- A one (1) hour mentoring session with an award winning songwriters Kenny Alphin (Big Kenny) and Regie Hamm.
- Three-day trip to Nashville including airfare and hotel accommodations (limited to US travel within the 50 continental states and only in cities serviced by American Airlines). In the event that winner's legal residence is within 250 miles of Nashville, TN, only hotel accommodations will be awarded.
- Professional demo - your song recorded and produced at Parlor Studios on Music Row with professional singers, musicians and producers.
- Your song pitched to music industry execs through our Winners Compilation CD for one year.
- Invitation to perform your winning song on stage before a live audience during Tin Pan South (TBD).
- Entrance to the NSAI Songwriter Career Path Program (including one-on-one mentoring session opportunities with award-winning professional songwriters, major publishers and teachers; professional advice on how songwriters can generate income; appointments with music publishers and record label A&R reps; and more).
- Tickets for (2) to the 2010 CMT Music Awards (Date TBA )or something equivalent. Airfare, transportation, hotel not included.
- Private tour of CMT studios in Nashville, TN. Airfare, transportation, hotel not included.
- Tickets for winner and one guest to one scheduled CMT Television, Internet, or Radio performance taping. July 2009 - June 2010. Airfare, transportation, hotel not included.
- CMT Branded Merchandise
- One Gibson CJ-165 Maple Guitar.
- One box of Elixir Strings.
- Capos (2) from G7th Ltd.
- Customized Pick card from PikCARD
- One SHURE KSM27 microphone.
- Mbox Mini from Digidesign
- One MasterWriter songwriter software.
- Free NSAI Songwriters Symposium or Song Camp 101 or 102.
- One-year NSAI membership.
- One-year subscription to American Songwriter magazine.
- One-year subscription to Music Connection magazine.
- One-year subscription to Broadjam.com (Primo MoB Account)
- Certificate of Achievement.
CMT LISTENER'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER RECEIVES:
- Tickets for (2) to the 2010 CMT Music Awards (Date TBA ) or something equivalent. Airfare, transportation, hotel not included.
- Private tour of CMT studios in Nashville, TN. Airfare, transportation, hotel not included.
- Tickets for winner and one guest to one scheduled CMT Television, Internet, or Radio performance taping. July 2009 - June 2010. Airfare, transportation, hotel not included.
- CMT Branded Merchandise and Memorabilia package.
- CMT branded Epiphone PR-5e Guitar
- Offered one single-song publishing contract by a major publisher for winning song.
- Three-day trip to Nashville for one (1) including airfare and hotel accommodations (limited to US travel within the 50 continental states and only in cities serviced by American Airlines). In the event that winner's legal residence is within 250 miles of Nashville, TN, only hotel accommodations will be awarded.
- Your song pitched to music industry execs through our Winners Compilation CD for one year.
- Professional demo - your song recorded and produced at Parlor Studios on Music Row with professional singers, musicians and producers.
- Capo (2) from G7th Ltd.
- One SHURE SM58 microphone
- One MasterWriter songwriter software.
- Six-month SongU.com membership
- Free NSAI Songwriters Symposium or Song Camp 101 or 102.
- One-year NSAI membership.
- One-year subscription to American Songwriter magazine.
- One-year subscription to Music Connection magazine.
- Certificate of Achievement.
- One-year subscription to Broadjam.com (Primo MoB Account)
FOUR FINALISTS:
- Offered one single-song publishing contract by a major publisher for winning song.
- Professional demo -- your song recorded and produced on at Parlor Studios with professional singers, musicians and producers.
- Your song pitched to music industry execs through our Winners Compilation CD for one year.
- One Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500M Guitar.
- One MasterWriter songwriter software.
- One SHURE SM58 microphone.
- Free NSAI Songwriters Symposium or Song Camp 101 or 102.
- One-year NSAI membership.
- One-year subscription to American Songwriter magazine
- Six-month subscription to Music Connection magazine.
- Certificate of Achievement.
- Capos (2) from G7th Ltd.
TEN RUNNERS-UP:
- Free NSAI Songwriters Symposium or Song Camp 101 or 102.
- One-year NSAI membership.
- 50% Off Subscription gift certificate to Music Connection magazine.
- Certificate of Achievement.
- Capos (2) from G7th Ltd.
FORTY HONORABLE MENTIONS to receive a Certificate of Achievement and a 50% off subscription certificate to
Music Connection magazine.
ALL ENTRANTS receive a
complimentary personalized judging report.
SPONSORS:
95.5 The Wolf
American Songwriter magazine
Americana Music Association
ASCAP
Bluebird Cafe
BMI
Broadjam
CMT
Digidesign
DiscMakers
Elixir Strings
G7th
Gibson Guitar
Guitar Center
JACK-fm
MasterWriter
Music City Unsigned
Music Connection magazine
Nashville Scene
NSAI
PikCARD
SESAC
SHURE Microphones
The Parlor
WRLT Lightning 100
Single-Song Publishing Contract Sponsors:
- Cal IV Music Publishing
- Curb Music Publishing
- Hearts Bluff Music
- Melrose Entertainment
- Montage Music Group
- Skyline Music Publishing
Return to the Song Contest
A single-song publishing contract by a major publisher
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