The contest is only open to amateurs and semi-professional songwriters, not to professionals who are already making thousands of dollars in royalties. This sets the contest apart from other contests – instead of a few songwriters receiving all the prizes, every songwriter at least gets some feedback. This contest sets itself apart by offering all entrants a written evaluation of their song from the contest judges. Instead of focusing on hype and big cash prizes, the contest focuses on giving awards, useful prizes, and ways to improve your songwriting, advance your career, and promote your songs. The Great American Song Contest was started by songwriters, for songwriters. Then, the songs are sent to the judges, where they listen to the song in its entirety. The songs are then sent to screening for competitiveness – weeding out songs that don’t compete. If you register early, the contest costs $15 per song/genre to enter. The 2020 judges included Mackenzie Porter, Michael Franti, BJ Hill (VP of Warner Chappell), Matt Nathanson, and John Strohm of Rounder Records. One of the benefits of a reputable songwriting competition is being heard by the judges, who are typically industry professionals or successful artists and songwriters. Third place gets a half-page feature in the magazine, a Martin LX1E Guitar, and a lifetime American Songwriter subscription. Second place gets $1,000, a half-page feature in the magazine, a Martin OMC-X1E Black Guitar, and a lifetime membership to the magazine. First place gets $10,000 USD, a two-page feature in the American Songwriter magazine, a consultation with a reputable publisher and record label, a Martin GPC-X2E Rosewood Guitar, and a lifetime membership to the magazine.

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