Portland Songwriters Association

This contest is suspended until further notice.
We apologize for any inconvenience

The winner of each category for best song will receive a $100 cash prize at our
Song Contest Awards Event

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Entry Rules

1. Enter as many songs as you like. Each song must have a fee. Send your name, address, phone, and song title on an index card with your entries or submit an official entry form from the PSA.

2. Cassette and CDs only. ONE SONG PER CASSETTE/CD.

3. Send cassette or CD with 3 typed lyric sheets. Label cassette/CD and lyric sheets with song title and category only.

4. DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR CASSETTE, CD, OR LYRIC SHEET.

5. Send SASE for a list of contest winners. Tapes/CD's will not be returned.

6. The writer retains all rights to songs submitted. However, PSA reserves the right to use winning songs for nonprofit promotional purposes (i.e. a tape compilation).

7. Proceeds from the contest will go towards prizes and to help fund future PSA sponsored activities.

8. PSA officers, board members, and their immediate family are not eligible for entry in this competition.

9. Because songs are a creative work, the evaluation of the entries is clearly subjective. The opinions of the judges are final.

10. Entries that do not comply with contest rules and requirements will not be accepted.

11. Postmark deadline January 31, 2009. $20 PER ENTRY FOR NON-MEMBERS, $15 FOR MEMBERS.

How the Songs Are Judged

Judging will be done on two levels. Each song will be heard by a minimum of three judges. To ensure impartiality, tapes will be assigned a number and placed in a category.

Judging criteria will be based primarily on song composition elements (melody, lyric, structure, etc.). Production and performance aspects will receive secondary emphasis.

All songs will be judged by at least three qualified judges, including established regional artists and music industry professionals selected for their specific interests and credentials in each category. The top 10 songs in each category will advance to the next level of final round judging. Grand prize winners will be selected from top category winners.

Final judging to be announced at the PSA Awards Show, and will be posted on this website.

Thank you to our Song Contest Judges

Overall Best Song judge: John Braheny. John co-founded and directed the legendary Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase. He wrote the best-selling and highly acclaimed book The Craft and Business of Songwriting. John continues to be in demand as a presenter of songwriting/music business seminars and as a consultant.

Pop: Composer, musician, playwright, and producer Marv Ross. In 1981, he formed the band Quarterflash with his wife Rindy, and their debut album went platinum. He's co-written with Burt Bacharach and Diane Warren.

Country/Americana: Billy Herzig, former staff writer for Sony/Tree, Warner/Chappell, and Peer/Talbot Music in Nashville . He wrote “Right >From the Start,” a #1 single for Earl Thomas Conley, and since 1996, Billy has co-owned Grey House Studio, where he engineers and produces demos for writers and publishers.

Rock and Other categories: Mark Baumgarten, music editor at the influential Willamette Week magazine here in Portland .

Contemporary Christian: Del Ford, who for many years served as a senior pastor and youth minister. Del has had more than 20 songs published, both on recordings and in sheet music.

Blues/Jazz/R&B: Bill McNally, who is vice president and part owner of Burnside Distribution Corp., a national music distribution company based here in Portland handling over 650 labels and 2,500 titles. He is also general manager of both Burnside and Sideburn Records.

Folk: Eric Hester, a previous multiple winner of the PSA Annual Song Contest. Eric was a member of CMJ chart topping group The Young Professionals. He is based in Madison , Wisconsin , and his sophomore solo CD, “Blue Tattoo,” was produced by Craig Carothers.

Childrens: Steve Seskin is one of the most successful writers in Nashville today, with a boatload of songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Neal McCoy, John Michael Montgomery, Kenny Chesney, Collin Raye, Peter Frampton, Waylon Jennings, Alabama, Mark Wills, and Peter Paul and Mary. His song "Don't Laugh At Me" was a finalist for CMA "Song of the Year" in 1999.

Instrumental: Sally Harmon, who has an extensive background in classical and pop music. She holds a master of music degree and has recorded some 19 albums in her career.