Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest

The 2023 award-winning Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest encourages the growth of the art of independent performing songwriters in the genres of Americana, Blues, Celtic, Country, Folk, Rock, Pop, Rap, Jazz, Bluegrass, etc. Judging is based on originality, lyrics, melody, harmonic structure along with other song-craft elements.

Past contest finalists include Ruthie Foster, Beth Wood, Karen Mal, Grace Pettis, Dave Carter, Louise Mosrie, BettySoo, Matt Harlan, Nicolette Good, RJ Cowdery, Drew Kennedy, Matthew Thomas and Tom Faulkner.

The live contest finals took place Saturday, May 20 at 11:30 a.m. on the Singer Songwriter Stage at Wildflower!

The 2024 contest application will be available January 1, 2024.

Contest Rules

• Contestants are required to enter two original songs. (Entries containing only one song, or more than two songs will be disqualified). 
• Participants must be at least 18 years old.
• A maximum of 200 contestants will be accepted on a first-submitted basis.
• Recordings submitted must be representative of the artist’s live performance and include only one instrument, one voice (the songwriter’s vocal) and no backup harmonies.
• Produced recordings or instrumental-only songs are NOT accepted.
• Co-written songs are accepted; however, only one of the writers may submit an application and perform the song on the recording.
• Artist’s name, biographical information, or credits cannot be included in the recordings.
• A submission of the entry certifies that the songwriter has all rights to the songs and that the songs have not been sold or contractually assigned to another entity.
• Songs that have been previously recorded and released under contract on a label are NOT
• Songs must have been written within the last two (2) years (after December 2020).
• Each song must NOT exceed five (5) minutes.
• As a finalist, you must perform the two (2) songs submitted in the contest. You may choose to perform solo or invite a single accompanist, however the performance can only include one instrument, one voice (the songwriter’s vocal) and no backup harmonies.
• Prior to the contest, finalists may not appear on any stage at the festival with any other artist(s) booked for the festival.
• A total of ten finalists will be selected and invited to perform in the finals at Wildflower! on May 20, 2023, an additional set on the Courtyard Stage, and if selected as a winner a chance to play a set in the round on May 21, 2023 on the Singer Songwriter Stage. Transportation to the Festival is not included.

Fair Screening Process

•  All entries are subjected to a blind and independent screening by experienced music promoters, performers, songwriters, educators and those familiar with original songwriting and performing techniques.
• The screeners score and rank entries independently and the top ten finalists are selected based on those scores and ranks to compete at the Festival.
• The contest is a performing songwriting contest. The entries will be judged based on the quality of the songs (50%) and the artist’s presentation/performance of the songs (50%).