Awards & Contests

2009 International Songwriting Competition Deadline Extended

The submissions deadline for the 2009 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has been extended to December 2. Entries must be postmarked or submitted online by that date. More than $150,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to 65 winners in more than 20 categories, including Americana and Folk/Singer-Songwriter. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

2009 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest Winners Named

Liz Longley, Grace Pettis, BettySoo, David Via and Reed Waddle were named as winners of the 2009 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, presented by Folk Alliance International. The contest’s international finals took place on Saturday, October 10, at the Cultural Center in Charleston, West Virginia -- home to the internationally broadcast “Mountain Stage” radio and TV show that has showcased more than 2000 artists since its inception in 1983. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

The Steeldrivers Win 2009 Nashville Music Award

On the heels of being named Emerging Artists of the Year in the International Bluegrass Music Awards on Oct. 1, The Steeldrivers have won the 2009 Nashville Music Award for Bluegrass Album of the Year. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

2009 International Bluegrass Music Awards Bestowed

Dailey & Vincent retained the title of Entertainers of the Year when the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards were presented on Thursday, October 1, at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The duo also was named Vocal Group of the Year. [To read the entire article and learn who all the winners are, click on the headline.]

Buddy Miller Wins a Slew of Americana Music Awards

Buddy Miller was the big winner during last night’s Eighth Annual Americana Music Association Honors & Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The acclaimed singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer and much sought-after collaborator and sideman, was named Artist of the Year and also won Album of the Year (for Written In Chalk, with wife Julie Miller), Duo/Group of the Year (again with Julie), and Song of the Year (“Chalk,” written by Julie and performed by Buddy and Patty Griffin.) [To view the entire article and learn who the other winners were, click on the headline.]

2009 Just Plain Folks Music Awards to be Webcast Live, Aug. 29

The 2009 Just Plain Folks Music Awards will be Webcast live from the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, August 29, from 5-11 p.m. Central Time, at www.jpfolks.com, where you can also see a complete list of nominees. Presented by Just Plain Folks -- a community of more than 51,500 songwriters, recording artists and music industry professionals that was created to provide a network of cooperation and inclusion for musicians -- the awards show will feature live performances by more than 30 nominees, while all awards categories will be announced. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

International Bluegrass Music Awards Nominees Named for 2009

Dan Tyminski Band, Dailey & Vincent, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, The Grascals and Steve Martin lead the list of nominees for the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards that takes place on Thursday, October 1, at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The awards show is the centerpiece of the International Bluegrass Music Association’ (IBMA)’s “World of Bluegrass,” September 28 to Oct. 4, that also features a business conference and fan fest. Hosting the awards show will be Grammy Award-winning country artist Kathy Mattea and bluegrass band Hot Rize (the first recipients of the IBMA Entertainer of the Year Award in 1990). It will be broadcast live on Sirius XM Radio’s “Bluegrass Junction” channel 14 and...

International Acoustic Music Awards is Open for Entries

Entries are currently being accepted for the International Acoustic Music Awards. Now in its sixth year, the competition promotes excellence in acoustic music performance and artistry. Awards will be presented in eight categories: Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Group/Duo, Folk/Americana/Roots, AAA/Alternative, Instrumental, Bluegrass/Country, and an Acoustic Open Genre category. An overall Grand Prize winner also will be named. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Finalists Named in Avalonfest ’09 Performing Songwriter Competition

Four songwriters have been named as finalists in the Avalonfest ’09 Performing Songwriter Competition. Rhobb Elliott of North Carolina, Robyn Kay of New York, David Kleiner of Pennsylvania, and Steve Warner of West Virginia will strut their stuff on the festival’s Mountain Stage on Friday afternoon, August 7.

The Scoop on Songwriting Contests

Sharon Goldman has mixed feelings when it comes to songwriting contests. The New York-based singer-songwriter, who recently launched a blog for songwriters called Songwriting Scene, shares her thoughts with AcousticMusicScene.com readers.

Great Lakes, New York Songwriters Circle Contests Open for Entries

Submissions are currently being accepted in both the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest and the New York Songwriters Circle 2009 Songwriters Contest. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Registration Opens for Americana Music Association and IBMA ‘World of Bluegrass’ Conferences in Nashville This Fall

Two major music industry business conferences of note to the acoustic music community are slated for the fall in Nashville, Tennessee. The Americana Music Association’s 10th Annual Americana Music Festival & Conference returns to the “Music City,” September 16-19, while the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)’s World of Bluegrass is set for September 28-October 4. Early-bird registration opened this month for both events. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]