Songwriter Showcase
Songwriter Showcase
Songwriter Showcase
The Songwriter Showcase is our nationally-recognized singer-songwriter competition, open to anyone who writes and performs original music, and who is not currently signed to a major recording or publishing deal. Contestants are judged on the quality of the song’s composition, vocal delivery, and the overall performance.
Contestants are judged on the quality of the song’s composition (50%), vocal delivery (25%), and the overall performance (25%).
Ten (10) finalists will be selected to receive a 3-day pass to the 2023 Rocky Mountain Folks Festival in Lyons, Colorado to compete in a live performance contest for cash and prizes.
HOW TO ENTER - SONG SUBMISSION
We will accept Contest Submissions for the 2023 Songwriter Showcase from February 9th, 2023 to July 14th, 2023
Step 1:
- Purchase your contest entry submission under Folks Fest (Tickets & Camping) HERE
- $20 per song (2 song limit)
Step 2:
- Submit Songs digitally HERE via our online form
- Songs must be uploaded as .mp3 files
Rules and Guidelines:
- Contestants may submit up to (2) original songs.
- Songs may have backing musicians, however if selected as one of the top (10) finalist for live contest, the songs must be performed solo.
- No co-writes. Songwriting entries must be entirely written by the entering songwriter.
- We encourage songwriters to submit new / different songs for the Telluride Troubadour and Folks Songwriting Showcase contests.
- Contestants cannot be signed to a third-party record label or publishing deal. This competition is meant for emerging and independent performing songwriters.
Songwriter Showcase Finals - Lyons, CO
The top (10) songwriters will be selected to attend the Songwriters Showcase Finals held live in Lyons, CO during the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival (August 11th -13th 2023)
- Top (10) Finalists will receive the following:
- 3-day pass (w/camping) to 2023 Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
- Performance slot in the Wildflower Pavilion during the festival in addition to contest performances on the Mainstage
- Contest Format
- Friday August 11th, 2023 - Mainstage - Each contestant to perform (2) Original Songs, winner selected
- Rules for Live Performances
- No backup musicians allowed. This is a solo competition.
- Finalists may not repeat songs from preliminaries in the finals.
- Recommended time limit: 5 minutes per song. Points will be deducted for significantly exceeding this limit.
- Acoustic instruments with pickups are permitted as well as EQ devices but no effects.
- Instruments allowed are those that can be carried out to the mics with the performer. A keyboard will be provided if necessary.
IMPORTANT DATES
February 9th, 2023 to July 14th, 2023 - Online Song Submission Window
July 25th, 2023 - Top 10 finalists (and alternates) announced to compete in the Showcase Finals during the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
August 11th-13th, 2023 - Showcase Contest Finals (Live Performances) - Lyons, CO.
♫ August 11th - Mainstage Showcase Contest Finals - All (10) Finalists - Lyons Colorado
♫ August 12th & 13th - Wildflower Pavilion- Showcase Finalists In-The-Round: We’ll be featuring the Showcase finalists in three different in-the-round sessions on Saturday and Sunday in the Wildflower Pavilion
Prizes
Top (10) Finalists will receive the following:
- 3-day pass (w/camping) to 2023 Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
- Performance slot in the Wildflower Pavilion during the festival in addition to contest performances on the Mainstage
1st : Guitar, Prizes, and 2024 Mainstage Folks Fest Performance
2nd - 10th : Cash & Prizes
2022 Showcase Winner and Top Finalists
Congratulations Shanna in a Dress for winning our 2022 Songwriter Showcase!
Shanna received a cash prize and a Taylor 7 Series Acoustic Guitar. Shanna will also perform on the Main Stage of our 2023 Folks Festival.
With nearly 200 entries, we are also proud to announce the runner-up contestants:
Past showcase finalists include Erica Wheeler, Don Conoscenti, Karen Pernick, Deb Talan, Dan Sheridan, Dee Carstensen, Mitch Barrett, Sarah Sample, Chuck E. Costa, Liz Longley, Megan Burtt, Caleb Hawley, Robby Hecht, Caroline Spence, Connor Garvey, Ben Shannon, Korby Lenker, Heather Mae, Kira Small, Alexa Wildish, & the 2022 winner Shanna in a Dress.
2022 Honorable Mentions
- Karyn Ann
- Ingrid Avison
- Summers Baker
- Sharell Bryant
- Lauren Frihauf
- Luke Hawley
- Melanie Lewis
- Sara Davis Regan
- Sam Rae Sidwell
- Mike Stocksdale
- Eric Richard Stone