TCMA Songwriter Contest & Awards Now Open for Submissions

The Texas Country Music Association, Inc. announced that its annual TCMA Songwriter Contest and Awards are open for song submissions as of December 1, 2018 in both Country and Christian Country formats.

Song entries must be original works and are judged on creativity, lyrics, melody, arrangement, originality and overall technique. Songs are reviewed in the order they are submitted so entering early is suggested. To review the rules and enter, go to WWW.TEXASCOUNTRYMUSIC.ORG and choose the Songwriter contest link. Up to 5 songs may be submitted per entry form.

According to Texas Country Music Association President, Linda Wilson, the 2018 contest was a huge success. “For the 2018 TCMA Songwriter Contest we had almost 500 submitted in both categories. It was certainly difficult for judges to get those down to just the top 10 in each format! There are so many awesome songwriters, artists and musicians who are from or who perform in Texas and it’s our job as a supporting organization to find them, encourage them and work on their behalf to help get them exposure. The songwriters along with their music have gained tremendous attention, and that’s why it’s such a hit!”

The top 10 finalists of the contest will be named and recognized at the 2019 Texas Country Music Awards in the fall of 2019. There will be five Honorable Mentions, First, Second, Third and Fourth Place Runners Up, and a Final Winner that will hold the title 2019 TCMA Country Songwriter of the Year and 2019 TCMA Christian Country Songwriter of the year, respectively. The winners will have the opportunity to share the stage with top artists to perform their songs at the 2019 Texas Country Music Awards as well as other TCMA Sponsored events throughout the year.

The 2018 TCMA Country Songwriter(s) of the Year are Cameran Nelson, Greg Bates & Aaron Scherz for their original tune, “Home Wasn’t Built In A Day”, performed by Cameran Nelson. Justin Todd Herod took home the 2018 TCMA Christian Country Songwriter of the Year in the for a song he wrote, “Sometimes Good People Happen To Bad Things”. Both winners were welcomed with raging applause at the 2018 Texas Country Music Awards which took place on October 15, 2018 at the Will Rogers Auditorium in Fort Worth, TX.

Plans for the 2019 Texas Country Music Awards are already underway along with many other TCMA projects for 2019 such as working with Texas Country Network on a syndicated television program called Texas Country OnScene which will provide various locations and artists. There will also be a Texas Country Music Showdown Vocal Competition in 2019, as well as the establishment of the Texas Country Music Opry.

TCMA has already partnered with and helped to establish the Texas Country Music Chart (www.texascountrymusicchart.com), the only digitally monitored airplay Texas Country chart based in Texas, as well KTCM-DB Texas Country Music Radio online (www.texascountrymusicradio.org). “We try our best to promote the Country Music industry in Texas and our artists, musicians, media outlets, venues and businesses who make it all happen. We’re very pleased with the energy and influence that the TCMA Membership and others in the industry have helped us to generate and accomplish so far, but we’re nowhere near done yet – we have a long way to go and a lot of things to do still.” says TCMA Executive Vice President Richard Wilson.

For more information about the Texas Country Music Association and to enter the 2018 TCMA Songwriter Contest, go to www.texascountrymusic.org