Online Song Submission: December 1st, 2022 to April 18th, 2023

Step 1:

• Purchase your submission via See Tickets 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.

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 50th Annual 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.

Top (10) Finalists will receive the following:

• 4-day pass (w/camping) to the 50th Annual 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

1st Place:

• Custom Shanti Guitar
• Saturday main stage performance
• Saturday Backstage Pass
• Cash

2nd Place: Cash & Prizes
3rd Place: Cash & Prizes
4th Place: Cash & Prizes
5th Place: Cash & Prizes
6th - 10th Place: Cash & Prizes

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

We have not hosted a Troubadour contest since 2019. We’ve missed it dearly and are so excited to bring the competition back for our 50th Anniversary. Looking back on the wealth of history here, we feel confident it will be an amazing year!