May 1 2009

Welcome, songwriter!

The sixth annual Great Lakes Songwriting Contest opens for entries today, May 1st. This year, we've increased the Grand Prize ($2,500 cash, plus the headliner spot at the annual Winners' Concert, plus goodies from the sponsors) and knocked a few bucks off the entry fee for the month of May.

And we're removing the residency requirements for entrants!

There's more new stuff on the way, so watch the website. But you'll hear the details first if you get our e-mail newsletter. Just click HERE to sign up.

The deadline is Sept. 1, 2009. (Or Sept. 15 if you enter through Sonicbids.)

For newcomers, here’s a bit of background:

In 2003, a group of Detroit-area songwriters took on the mission of promoting the great original music from our area of the world. We went from hosting a local contest to hosting a statewide contest, and finally to organizing the regional Great Lakes Songwriting Contest. This year, we finally feel ready to take on the world! Songwriters can enter no matter where they live.

We don’t make you pick a category when you enter. (No one likes to be put in a box, and no one wants to have to enter each song in multiple categories, for multiple fees!) The Great Lakes Songwriting Contest welcomes all types of music. Country, rock, Christian and Gospel, blues, hip-hop, folk, instrumental, and all the hybrids. A great song is a great song, regardless of the genre.

In the past, the winning songs have been about a wide variety of topics: Love lost and love won, angels, politics, mechanical hands, and we're-not-sure-what. There have been story songs, happy songs, sad songs, angry rants, and instrumentals.

We, the Michigan Songwriters, are dedicated to running a fair, unbiased contest in which each song is judged on its own merits, whether you’re a well-known songwriter or a talented amateur who’s never performed in public. Our judges are chosen with musical diversity and experience in mind.

Here's what some of the past winners have said about the contest:

"Thank you for running this contest, as it serves so many purposes – not only promoting the talents of independent artists and boosting their careers, but also bringing great, fresh music to the public, and bringing us together as fellow artists." - Allister Bradley, 2008 Winner

“ Your contest is very cool. My friends, family and fans are so excited and I'm fired up to keep writing and sharing!" - Billy King, 2007 winner

" I really appreciated how much the Michigan Songwriters worked to get the winners exposure through press, radio, etc. It's also nice to know how much they believe in and support independent artists in the Great Lakes region." - Rachanee, 2006 Winner

“Winning has given me a lot of confidence and many opportunities that I otherwise may never have realized… The experience has really energized and inspired me musically. I owe a big ‘Thank You’ to the entire contest organization, all of the judges and everyone involved.” - John Latini, 2004 Winner

“ The contest was beautifully run. The prizes were meaningful. The publicity you generated was wonderful. The winner's concert was fantastic. You treat songwriters like royalty." - Bruce Holmes, 2006 Winner

Weare proud of our perfect record with the Better Business Bureau of southeast Michigan. We've never had a consumer complaint, and strive to keep it that way.

So, browse our website to learn more about past winners, judges, and related links. And if you write original music, we’d love to hear it.

- Bill Frank
Contest Director
The Michigan Songwriters