Songwriting Contest

CATEGORIES

Participants can enter up to four songs in the following categories

Folk

Bluegrass

Americana

Country

Blues

Gospel

Six finalists will be selected, one in each category. Additionally, one or more youth finalists (17 - under) will be selected. Each finalist will perform 1 song at the Cohutta Song Fest on October 19th, 2024. In the event a finalist is unable to attend, they will not be eligible for First Prize or for the "People’s Choice” Award.

HOW TO ENTER

You may enter up to 4 songs total. Songs may be submitted either by mail or electronically.

If by U.S. Mail One, include:

a) Completed Entry Form per song (photocopy acceptable).

b) Typed lyric sheet. Place the writer’s name(s) at the bottom of the lyric sheet to facilitate easy concealment from the judging panel.

c) CD labeled with song title and entrant’s name and or mailing address.

(Multiple entries on a single CD are acceptable.)

d) Payment. $15 for one song, $25 for two, $35 for three, $45 for four. Send check or money order to:

Cohutta Songwriters’ Festival Songwriting Contest

C/O Cohutta General Store

317 Wolfe St.

Cohutta, GA 30710

Or pay online.

Electronic Submissions

Items to be attached to the email sent to cohuttasongfest@yahoo.com

a) Signed copies of the Contest Entry Form

b) Typed lyric sheet.

c) Audio recording of the song in mp3 format only. M4A format is not acceptable.

d) Payment. $15 for one song, $25 for two, and $35 for three. Send check or money order (see

above) or pay online.

Entries must be received by midnight September 5, 2024. Entries will be confirmed if the sender

provides an email address. Entries received after the deadline will not be considered.

FINALISTS

In addition to the final showcase for First Prize and People's Choice awards, the finalist’s songs will be sent to Paul Joseph, host of WUTC program “The Local Focal” and to Richard Windham host of morning music program on WUTC. Transportation to and from the CSF as well as lodging is the responsibility of the finalists..

PRIZES

All qualified finalists will receive

a) Pass to songwriter workshops, a video of their performance

at the Contest on YouTube.

b) A cash prize of $250 will be awarded to one First Prize Winner.

c) Separate prizes will be awarded, one per category.

d) One or more prizes will be awarded to

contestants younger than 18 years.

e) People’s Choice Award will be determined by the

audience.

f) Prizes will be awarded jointly to all authors of any song; division of the prize is the

responsibility of the winners.

g) The winners release sponsors from all liability regarding prizes

won. Taxes are winners' responsibility.

ELIGIBILITY: The Cohutta Song Fest (CSF) Songwriting Competition is open to those whose primary source of income (50% or more) is not derived from songwriting or publishing. Income from performing gigs is not songwriting income. Co-writers are subject to the same eligibility requirements as the named entrant.

SONGWRITING ENTRIES: All entries must be the original work of the contestant. A contestant may enter as many songs as desired. Each song, however, constitutes a separate entry and must have its own entry form, lyric sheet, release, and recorded MP3 (not M4A) or CD submission. Check, money order, or online payment must reflect the total number of songs submitted.

JUDGING: Entries will be judged by music industry professionals from the Cohutta Song Fest music community. All entries will be judged on originality of lyrics, melody, and the song’s overall craft. Recording and performance quality do not affect judging. Explicit lyrics (vulgar or violent) will not be accepted. All decisions by judges are final and not subject to inquiry or appeal. Finalists will be determined and notified with a phone call or email in early September and that information will be posted to the festival web site, cohuttasongfest.com in early September also. The contest will not release judges’ scores nor provide personal evaluation.

INDEMNITY AND RELEASE: The signature on the entry form constitutes that the song submitted is an original work and releases The Cohutta Song Fest Songwriting Competition, its judges, sponsors, and The Cohutta Song Fest from all liability. Entry also constitutes permission to use the winner’s name and likeness for future advertising and publicity without compensation. By entering, entrants agree that they have no right to bring, and covenant not to bring any claim, action, or proceeding of any kind or nature whatsoever against CSF or any other sponsoring organization or judge in connection with this competition.

All applicable U.S. copyright laws apply, and all rights to submitted material remain entirely with the copyright holder. CSF acquires no rights to any works submitted. Cohutta Song Fest is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, insufficient postage, stolen, or misappropriated entries. Entry fees are non-refundable.