Contest Information

Songwriter of the Year Prizes/Opportunities

To be selected from the quarterly 1st place winners in the 22nd Annual Songwriting Contest.

Songwriter of the Year will receive the following prize package:

  • Premium Radio Promotion Package for one song by A-Sides Radio Promotion Package. ($2395 value – includes 6 months of  promotion, tracking, and reporting for one radio single. Includes chart tracking and radio station adds reports through ChristianRadioChart.com. Also includes Spotify promotion and reporting to Christian playlist curators. Note: Radio Song must be professionally recorded, mixed, and mastered for radio. Song subject to approval by A-Sides Radio Promotion.)
  • PR Package by INOV8 PR. ($1000 value – includes 2 press releases to be written and distributed by INOV8 PR)
  • Artist Development and Consulting Package by McLaughlin Music Group. ($4500 value – includes artist development and consulting for one full year)

    1st Place Prizes:

    There will be four 1st place winners in the 22nd Annual Songwriting Contest, one for each quarter. Each 1st place winner will receive the following.
    • A radio single released to radio by A-Sides Radio Promotion. ($2395 value, Indie Radio Promotion Package that includes 6 months of promotion, tracking, and reporting through ChristianRadioChart.com. Note: Radio Song must be professionally recorded, mixed, and mastered for radio. Song subject to approval by A-Sides Radio Promotion.)
    • A press release will be sent to several radio stations and news agencies announcing you as the 1st place winner.
    • 1st Place Announcement at https://christiansongwriting.com/winners/ with a link to your website.
    • A 1-hour phone consult with Jeff McLaughlin, the owner of McLaughlin Music Group.

    2nd Place Prizes:

    There will be four 2nd place winners in the 22nd Annual Songwriting Contest, one for each quarter. Each 2nd place winner will receive the following.

    3rd Place Prizes:

    There will be four 3rd place winners in the 22nd Annual Songwriting Contest, one for each quarter. Each 3rd place winner will receive the following.

    22nd Annual Judges

    • John Katina – songwriter and lead singer for The Katinas
    • James Katina – songwriter, bass player, vocalist for The Katinas
    • Chrissy Conway-Katina – singer/songwriter, recording artist with ZoeGirl
    • Cale Kight – singer/songwriter/guitars for Love Like Gravity, multiple Billboard charting hits

    Previous Judges

    • Austin French – Dove Nomination for New Artist of the Year, Singer/Songwriter, Recording Artist
    • Cale Kight – singer/songwriter/guitars for Love Like Gravity, multiple Billboard charting hits
    • Cheri Keaggy – singer/songwriter,  recording artist
    • Chris Sligh – singer/songwriter, recording artist, American Idol season 6 finalist
    • Chrissy Conway-Katina – singer/songwriter, recording artist with ZoeGirl
    • Clay Crosse – singer/songwriter, recording artist, 4-time Dove award winner
    • Dara Maclean – singer/songwriter, worship leader, recording artist
    • James Katina – songwriter, bass player, vocalist for The Katinas
    • Jesse Katina – songwriter and lead singer for The Katinas
    • John Katina – songwriter and lead singer for The Katinas
    • John Schlitt – legendary vocalist of Petra, Grammy and Dove award winning artist and songwriter
    • Jonah Sorrentino (aka KJ-52) – singer/songwriter, hip-hop artist
    • Landry Cantrell – singer/songwriter, recording artist
    • Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave – Singer/Songwriter, Recording Artist
    • Paul Wright – Formerly on Gotee Records, Singer/Songwriter, Recording Artist
    • Rachael Lampa – singer/songwriter, recording artist
    • Ron Rawls – Grammy Winning Producer, Songwriter/Worship Leader, Bandleader and Keyboardist for Mandisa
    • Scott MacIntyre – singer/songwriter, recording artist, American Idol season 8 finalist
    • Tammy Trent – singer/songwriter/recording artist known for her #1 radio hit, “My Irreplaceable” and others
    • and others!

    22nd Annual Songwriting Contest Rules & Entry Procedures

    Entry Fees:

    • $35 (USD) for one song.
    • $65 (USD) for two songs (a $5 savings).
    • $95 (USD) for three songs (a $10 savings).
    • $155 (USD) for five songs (a $20 savings).
    • $300 (USD) for ten songs (a $50 savings).

    Entry Deadlines:

    • The 1st Quarter Entry Deadline is March 31, 2024.
    • The 2nd Quarter Entry Deadline is June 30, 2024.
    • The 3rd Quarter Entry Deadline is September 30, 2024.
    • The 4th Quarter Entry Deadline is December 31, 2024.

    Winners Announcements:

    As long as everything goes as planned, we plan to announce the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners within 60 days of each entry deadline for that quarter. All winners will be announced via our e-mail list and on our website. If you are interested in learning who makes each cut within each quarter, you can see that in our Facebook Group.

    Other Important Things to Remember:

    By entering this contest, you are acknowledging that you understand and agree to the following:

    • All contestants must be 18 years of age or have parent or guardian consent.
    • Songs that have been published and/or copyrighted may be entered, but songs that have been recorded by a major label artist are not eligible.
    • Your songs do not have to be “radio-ready” to enter the contest. The judging will not be on recording quality. It will be on the quality of the song & lyrics. You may use a home demo with piano or guitar only for the background if you choose to.
    • Your song must have lyric and audio to be accepted. Do not submit lyrics only. This is not a lyrics only contest.
    • You are responsible for making all deadlines and you (or any cowriters of the songs entered) will not hold CM United, ChristianSongwriting.com or any other parties involved liable for any entries not received on time.
    • If there are cowriters for the songs entered, only one set of prizes will be sent and received by the primary songwriter winning the contest.
    • Other than the prizes listed on the website for the 22nd Annual Songwriting Contest, you agree not to hold CM United, ChristianSongwriting.com or any other parties involved responsible for any liability in any way.
    • The prizes may vary based on availability.
    • All contest entry fees are final. No refunds may be given for any reason.
    • All federal, state, and local laws apply. Void where prohibited by law.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When will the results of the contest be announced?

    We will strive to announce the results of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners within 60 days of the deadline for each quarter as long as all goes as planned. We plan to announce The Songwriter of the Year Award on or before March 31st, 2025.

    Will I receive feedback for the song I enter?

    I’m sorry, but due to the number of entries, we will not be able to provide individual critiques. However, we will provide a detailed list of the judging criteria and what the judges look for within each category to everyone that enters the contest. This can be found in our members area in our Facebook group. Once you join our Facebook group, simply search for “SONGWRITING TIPS FROM THE SONGWRITING CONTEST JUDGES”. This information will be great information and help you to self-evaluate your own song utilizing this list of tips.

    Do the entries have to be recorded with accompaniment?
    If you have the opportunity to use accompaniment for your song, it will help. However, if you do not have time or resources to record the song with accompaniment, a capella will work just fine.
    Do the entries have to be radio-ready?
    No! The judging is on the quality of the song, not the quality of the singer or the recording/production quality.
    Can I submit lyrics only?

    GOOD NEWS! This year, we have a lyrics only contest. Details coming soon!

    Do the entries have to be a particular style?
    Christian Music has a wide range of styles. Whether your songs are AC, country, pop, rock, P&W, southern gospel or urban/R&B/black gospel, send them to us!
    Will I know what rank my entries place if they aren't in the top three?
    We will only announce the placement of the top three entries. However, we will announce which songwriters make it through each phase of the contest so you can see how far you make it as we move through the judging process.
    Will I still have complete rights to the songs I enter in the contest?
    Absolutely! You may be contacted by someone about the song if they like it well enough to record or pitch it. However, nothing changes just because you entered the song into the contest. You still have complete rights to the song. You may even be contacted by one of the judges or personnel involved for a publishing deal, but whether you accept any deals will be totally up to you!