NSAI Unveils Winners Of 25th Annual Song Contest

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Pictured (L-R): Josie Bisto, Sharon O’Donnell

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has wrapped up their 25th Annual Song Contest and has revealed that “Love Lies,” submitted by Josie Bisto, has won the Song Category Grand Prize.

Bisto’s Grand Prize includes $5,000, a one-on-one mentor session with Shane McAnally, a one-year single-song publishing contract with Dream 3 Publishing, a Taylor Guitars 50th Anniversary guitar and a $1,500 Guitar Center gift card, courtesy of the Guitar Center Music Foundation, among other prizes.

“Love Lies” will be performed by co-writer Meagan Allen at the 33rd annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival on March 27 at 3rd and Lindsley Nashville on the Visit Music City Stage, opening the round presented by 95.5 NASH ICON.

Further prizes include a performance opportunity at The Bluebird Cafe, industry meetings, a Musicnotes sheet music transcription with a $100 gift card, a 12-month SoundCloud Artist Pro subscription, a custom engraved capo package from G7th, a Southwest Airlines roundtrip flight, a two-night stay in Nashville, a $250 gift card and more.

Additionally, “Don’t You Hear Me Say No?” submitted by Sharon O’Donnell was named the Lyric Category Grand Prize winner. O’Donnell claimed $2,500 cash, a mentor session with Jessie Jo Dillon, a Taylor Guitars 50th Anniversary guitar, a meeting with Dream 3 Publishing, a roundtrip Southwest Airlines flight, a two-night Nashville stay, a year-long SoundCloud Artist Pro subscription, a custom engraved capo package from G7th, a $250 gift card, two tickets to a show at The Bluebird Cafe, $1,500 to spend at Guitar Center, a $100 Musicnotes gift card with a plaque of the winning lyrics and more.

Along with the main contest, SoundCloud partnered with NSAI for NSAI Presents: The SoundCloud Standout Award. This award was given to the person with the most hearted song in a playlist of the top ten finalists in the Song Category. Claire Flynt earned the award with her song “Bigger Person”. Flynt will receive a SoundCloud prize pack including a one-on-one meeting with a SoundCloud Representative, a SoundCloud Merch Pack and a one-year SoundCloud Artist Pro Account.

Full Song Contest Results:

Song Category Grand Prize Winner
Josie Bisto (Nashville, TN) – “Love Lies”, co-written by: Meagan Allen, Corben Champoux

Song Category Runners-Up
Sam Blasko (Nashville, TN) – “Second Wife”, co-written by: Olivia DaPonte, Ryan Kohn
Tim Comeaux (North Easton, MA) – “Dumpster Diving”, co-written by: Andrea Brodeur, Steve Brown
Claire Flynt (Nashville, TN) – “Love To Love Him Someday”, co-written by: Ingrid Enckell and “Bigger Person”, co-written by: Connor Gehlert, Eliza Harrison Smith
Rachel Harvey Hill (Nashville, TN) – “Barkley Lake”
Alex Lomartire (Mt. Juliet, TN) – “It’s Easier Said”, co-written by: Lauren Hedges, Jann Kohm
Elizabeth Makris (Nashville, TN) – “Downward Spiral”, co-written by: Kristian Asbøll, Gustav Fjäll, Martine Lausund
Brad McKinney (Nashville, TN) – “Single Of The Year”, co-written by John Frank, Lauren Spring
Emma Place (Nashville, TN) – “On The Run”, co-written by: Tyler Skye, Eliza Harrison Smith

Song Category Honorable Mentions
Sam Comfort – “Down And Out”
Carin Fradin – “As Old As I Can”
Hayley Payne – “Raisin’ Hell”
Laura Pearson – “Take Me Back”
Kiersten Rae – “Where The Heart Is”
Daniel Segall – “Played By The Rules”
Gabe Walsh – “Goodyears”
Ralston Wells – “Best Thing On Earth”
Kate Zickler – “College Try” and “You Just Won’t Listen”

Lyric Category Grand Prize Winner
Sharon O’Donnell (Cary, NC) – “Don’t You Hear Me Say No?”

Lyric Category Runner Up
James Maltese (Nashville, TN) – “Grass Roots”, co-written by: Lauren Murray, Tracy Richardson

John Nix Arledge
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