Submissions are now being sought in the 29th annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Hosted by MerleFest, the contest affords aspiring writers an opportunity to have their original songs heard and judged by a volunteer panel of Nashville music industry professionals chaired by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale.
One of the most notable songwriting competitions in roots and Americana music, the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest features four categories: bluegrass, general, gospel, and country. First- through third-place winners will be chosen in each category during MerleFest 2021, which is slated for September 16-19, 2021 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. First-place winners will each receive $1,000 and a Saturday evening performance slot at the festival. Founded 33 years ago in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson, son of American music legend Doc Watson, MerleFest is considered one of America’s most popular music festivals.
The contest entry deadline is June 15. Submissions, including a $30 fee per entry, may be made using an online entry form. All lyrics must be written in English, and no instrumentals will be accepted. For more information about the contest, rules, and how to enter, visit merlefest.org/CASC.
The Chris Austin Songwriting Contest was established to honor the memory of Chris Austin, a songwriter and former sideman for Ricky Skaggs. Austin’s life was tragically cut short when a private plane carrying him and six other members of Reba McEntire’s band, as well as her tour manager, crashed in California in 1991. In the contest that is open to those whose primary source of income is not derived from songwriting or publishing, songs are judged based on originality, lyrics, melody and overall commercial potential. Previous winners of the contest include Gillian Welch, Tift Merritt, Michael Reno Harrell, Adrienne Young, Martha Scanlan, David Via, Eliot Bronson and Johnny Williams, among others. Net proceeds from the contest help support the Wilkes Community College Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship that has provided financial support to 109 students since its inception.
MerleFest is a “traditional plus” music festival featuring traditional roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region — including old-time, roots country, bluegrass, folk, gospel, and blues — expanded to include Americana, classic rock and other styles. It usually takes place during the last weekend in April but was cancelled last year due to safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and is making a one-time only move to the this fall, according to festival organizers. The 2021 festival’s artist lineup will be revealed on June 10 during a MerleFest Artist Announcement Celebration livestream beginning at 7 p.m. EDT.
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