John Lennon Songwriting Contest

The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is a non-profit organization based in New York that hosts an international songwriting competition. The contest, founded in 1997, is open to both amateur and professional songwriters of all genres. The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is known for its diverse range of categories, allowing songwriters to submit their work in genres such as Rock, Country, Jazz, Pop, World, Rhythm & Blues, Hip Hop, Gospel/Inspirational, Latin, Electronic, Folk, and Children's. The contest accepts song entries year-round and features two annual Sessions. These sessions culminate in the selection of 72 Finalists, 24 Grand Prize Winners, 12 Lennon Award Winners, and one recipient of the prestigious "Song of the Year" award, which comes with a $20,000 cash prize. Judges evaluate entries based on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics, and past judges have included notable figures like George Clinton, Prince Royce, 311, and Jim Steinman. One of the unique aspects of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest is its commitment to supporting aspiring musicians. All entry fees collected from the contest directly benefit the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, a mobile recording studio that provides access to music education and production resources for communities across the United States. Interested songwriters can find detailed submission guidelines and information about the contest prizes on the John Lennon Songwriting Contest website at jlsc.com.