Step 1:

• Purchase your submission via See Tickets HERE (Pre-sale 12/10/24 or GA Sale 12/11/24)
• $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 VOICE and ONE 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 See Tickets order number that is on your See Tickets receipt.

• **NEW** - MP3 Song submission recording must be a SOLO performance with only VOICE and ONE accompanying INSTRUMENT.
  • A simple voice recording 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.

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.