Step 1:

• Purchase your submission via EVENTIM(See Tickets) HERE
• $20 per song (2 song limit)

Step 2:

• Submit Songs digitally HERE via our online form.
  • **NEW** Song submission recording must be a SOLO performance with only your VOICE and your accompanying INSTRUMENT.
  • Songs must be uploaded as .mp3 files.
  • **NEW** - Lyric sheet (Word or pdf file) must be uploaded with each song.
  • Make sure to submit the EVENTIM(See Tickets) order number that is on your EVENTIM(See Tickets) receipt.

• **NEW** - MP3 Song submission recording must be a SOLO performance with only VOICE and ONE accompanying INSTRUMENT.
  • A simple voice recording/memo from a phone is acceptable.
  • Please ensure that lyrics can be heard on recording.
• Song Submission Judging Criteria (1-100pts)
  • COMPOSITION (1 - 50 pts) - Lyrics, theme, emotional impact, hook, originality, melody, appeal, phrasing, cadence, form, and structure.
  • VOCAL QUALITY (1 - 25 pts) - Pitch, resonance, range, natural and inflection.
  • DELIVERY QUALITY (1 - 25 pts) - Expression, instrumental skill, impact, pace, dynamics, balance, rhythm, and color.
• Contestants may submit up to (2) original songs.
• 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.
• Contestants will not receive feedback from Judges.

The top (10) songwriters will be selected to attend the Troubadour Contest Finals held live in Telluride, CO during the Telluride Bluegrass Festival

• Top (10) Finalists will receive the following:
  • 4-day pass (w/camping) to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival
  • Live radio interview and performance with KOTO radio in Telluride
  • Performance slot at the Elks Park Workshop Stage in addition to contest performances
• Contest Format
  • Preliminary Round - Elks Park - All 10 Finalists perform (2) original songs, top 5 selected to move to Final Round
  • Final Round - Elks Park - Each contestant to perform (2) Original Songs, winner selected
  • Winner - Saturday Mainstage Performance
• 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.

The Telluride Troubadour Competition has been held in conjunction with the Telluride Bluegrass Festival since 1991.