19th Annual NSAI Song Contest Kicks Off Aug. 31

The 19th Annual NSAI Song Contest, presented by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, CMT, and its newest partner, C. F. Martin & Co. (Martin Guitar & Strings) is set to kick off Friday, Aug. 31.

With two categories, Song and Lyric-Only, the contest provides an opportunity for songwriters of all genres to have their songs judged by a music industry panel for a chance at winning one of the 23 prizes. Entries will be accepted online or by mail through Oct. 31, 2018 at 12 p.m. CDST.

Beginning Aug. 31, entries can be submitted online at nsai.cmt.com or they can be mailed to the NSAI office (NSAI–ATTN: Song Contest, 1710 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN 37203). All mailed entries must include the submission form, entry fee, printed lyric sheet, and one audio CD (unless a Lyric-Only entry). Entry fees are $35 per song for current NSAI members and $45 per song for non-NSAI members. There is no limit to the number of songs that songwriters can submit, and all submissions must be post-marked by 12 p.m. CT on Oct. 31, 2018.

The Grand Prize Winner will receive $5,000 Cash, a mentoring session with hit songwriter Craig Wiseman, a Martin Guitar, a one-year single song contract with ole, and many additional prizes, including: two tickets to the 2019 CMT Music Awards show, a three-day trip to Nashville including two nights of hotel accommodations and round trip flight,  a live performance opportunity at the 2019 Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival and a performance slot at The Bluebird Cafe in 2019, a NSAI residency package including a one-year membership, access to one NSAI premium event, winning song inclusion in one of the quarterly Pitch to Publisher meetings, and more.

Ten grand prize runners-up will also each receive a prize pack including a Martin Dreadnought Junior Acoustic Electric guitar, Martin Acoustic Strings, and more. The Lyric-Only winner will receive a mentoring session with hit songwriter Lori McKenna, a Martin Sustainable Wood OME cherry Acoustic Electric guitar, access to one NSAI premium event, a pass to the 2019 Music Biz Conference in Nashville, and additional prizes.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)

• New Randy Travis Album ‘Same Old Way’ Slated For November - September 4, 2026
• Opry To Celebrate Vince Gill’s 35th Anniversary With Two Shows - September 4, 2026
• Americana Music Association Announces Performers For 25th Annual Honors & Awards Show - September 4, 2026