performing songwriter competitions – AcousticMusicScene.com

Natalie Price is the First-Place Winner in the 2026 Songwriter Serenade. (Photo: betsyyphoto)

Natalie Price Wins 2026 Songwriter Serenade Competition

Post published:May 21, 2026
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

Natalie Price, a Tennessee-based singer-songwriter originally from Texas, took top honors during the 19th annual Songwriter Serenade in Schulenburg, Texas on May 2, 2026. She was chosen from among 15 semi-finalists in the songwriting competition by a panel of judges who evaluated them based on lyrics (imagery, story, creativity, and originality), melody (structure, phrasing, and rhythm), and performing ability (vocals, musicianship), as well as stage presence/audience rapport. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article that includes extensive quotes from Natalie Price.]

Finalists Named in Kerrville New Folk Competition

Post published:April 16, 2026
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests Festival Focus

Twenty-four songwriters have been named as finalists in the 2026 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters. Chosen from among more than 1,000 entries, the finalists will perform the two songs they submitted on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, May 23 and 24, as part of the first weekend of the 54th annual Kerrville Folk Festival. Ten finalists have also been recently selected as finalists in the Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest. [Click on the headline to continue reading tis article.]

Semifinalists Named in 2026 Songwriter Serenade Competition

Post published:April 4, 2026
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

Fifteen songwriters have been invited to showcase their original songs and compete for more than $10,000 in prize money at the St. John Church Outdoor Pavilion in Schulenburg, Texas on Saturday, May 2 after being named as semifinalists in the 2026 Songwriter Serenade competition. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

Entry Deadline Nears For Songwriter Serenade

Post published:March 8, 2026
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

Applications are being accepted through March 22 in the 19th annual Songwriter Serenade contest. From among all entries received, 15 songwriters will be invited to showcase their original songs and compete for more than $10,000 in prize money at the St. John Church Outdoor Pavilion in Schulenburg, Texas on Saturday, May 2, 2026. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

Entries Sought in Two Singer-Songwriter Competitions

Post published:October 13, 2025
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests Festival Focus

The South Florida Folk & Acoustic Music Club is accepting online applications for both its National Singer-Songwriter Competition and South Florida Singer-Songwriter Competition through October 31, 2025. A panel of preliminary judges will assess the submissions. Finalists in the national competition will be invited to perform and be evaluated by another panel of three judges during the annual South Florida Folk & Acoustic Music Festival that is slated for January 30-February 1, 2026 at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie. Artists in the local competition will perform prior to the festival, while three winners will be invited to showcase their talents during it. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

Winners Named in 2025 Kerrville New Folk Competition

Post published:May 28, 2025
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests Festival Focus News - U.S. National

Six singer-songwriters have been named as winners in the 2025 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters. They were chosen by a panel of judges from among 24 finalists who performed two songs each during the New Folk Concerts on May 24 and 25 as part of the Kerrville Folk Festival, an 18-day event at the Quiet Valley Ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Austin and San Antonio. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and to view videos of the New Folk Concerts.]

South Florida Folk & Acoustic Music Festival Set for Jan. 31-Feb. 2

Post published:January 21, 2025
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Festival Focus

The annual South Florida Folk & Acoustic Music Festival returns to Davie, Florida's Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, Friday-Sunday, January 31-February 2, 2025. Presented by the nonprofit South Florida Folk & Acoustic Music Club, the festival will feature performances by more than 40 artists/acts, a singer-songwriter competition, and a wide array of jam sessions and workshops. All festival activities will take place under cover. Discounted tickets are available online until 6 p.m. on January 26.

Songwriter Serenade Contest Opens for Entries

Post published:January 16, 2025
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

Applications are being accepted through March 29 in the 18th annual Songwriter Serenade contest. From among all entries received, 15 songwriters will be invited to showcase their original songs and compete for prize money at the St. John Church Outdoor Pavilion in Schulenburg, Texas on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Entries Sought in 2025 Kerrville New Folk Competition

Post published:January 14, 2025
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

Entries are now being accepted in the 2025 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25, 2025, during the first weekend of the annual Kerrville Folk Festival in the Texas Hill Country near Austin and San Antonio. The entry deadline is March 7, while 24 finalists will be named in mid-April.

Martin Gilmore is 2024 Telluride Troubadour

Post published:July 2, 2024
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

Martin Gilmore, an Englewood, Colorado-based singer songwriter and bluegrass picker, won the 2024 Telluride Troubadour Competition and had the opportunity to perform a short set on the main stage during the 51st Telluride Bluegrass Festival -- a roots-oriented music festival that took place around Colorado’s rugged San Juan Mountains, June 20-23.

Semifinalists Named in 2024 Songwriter Serenade Competition

Post published:March 31, 2024
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

Fifteen songwriters have been invited to showcase their original songs and compete for prize money at the St. John’s Outdoor Pavilion in Schulenburg, Texas on Saturday, May 11 after being named as semifinalists in the 2024 Songwriter Serenade competition.

Entries Sought in 2024 Kerrville New Folk Competition

Post published:February 18, 2024
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests Festival Focus

Entries are now being accepted in the 2024 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, 2024, during the first weekend of the annual Kerrville Folk Festival in the Texas Hill Country near Austin and San Antonio. The first 800 entries received by March 15 will be judged, and 24 finalists will be named in mid-April. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article that also includes information about a New Folk Concert Series tour and the initial festival lineup.]