Come one, come all – it’s the annual Susanne Millsaps Performing Songwriter Showcase.  Previous finalists have called it “a complete honor”, “a total blast”, and “the best songwriting contest around.”  We’re welcoming entries from solo singer-songwriters (sorry, no duos, trios, etc.) performing their own original music.  Finalists will be selected by a blind judging panel, with scoring based on vocal ability, instrumental ability, and songwriting.  Last year’s winner was Mindy Dillard from Berkeley, California.

  The top ten finalists selected will compete on Saturday, June 25th between noon and 3:00 PM. at the Utah Arts Festival.   A panel of experienced judges will be situated in the audience and will select our winners.  Their judging criteria will be the same as for the initial round, plus the added element of performance quality. All performances must be solo and you must use an acoustic instrument. Instruments will be limited to what you can carry on stage and no piano will be provided.

Utah Arts Festival admission for finalists will be complimentary on Saturday.  Finalists will receive information on how to get into the Arts Festival grounds upon selection.  The first-place winner this year will have the opportunity to open for a Festival headliner on the UAF’s Festival Stage later in the day! The Winner will also receive a RainSong composite guitar. There will be cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd Place winners as well.  An electronic instrument input is allowed, and instrument mic’s will be available.

   This year, we are accepting electronic submissions only via our smshowcase@iamaweb.org email address.  Prior to submitting your electronic MP3 files, you will be required to submit your payment via our Eventbrite link. Once you’ve paid and confirmed your entry, you can send us your MP3 files with proof of your Paypal confirmation and payment.  All entries will then be organized for pre-judging.  Please remove all metadata from your submission, since we utilize blind judging.  Instructions as follows:

1.            DEADLINE FOR ENTRY AND PRE PAYMENT OF $40.00 IS: Sunday, MAY 1st!

2.         PRE PAYMENT REQUIRED VIA PAYPAL.

3.         ONCE PAYMENT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED AND CONFIRMED, please email your 2 original songs as MP3 files only (no videos) to:  smshowcase@iamaweb.org along with confirmation of your payment via Paypal

   An “entry consists of 2 songs (written or co-written by you) that showcases your solo sound.  Payment of $40.00 via the Eventbrite link will be required in order for each pair of 2 songs to be included for pre-judging.   Multiple entries of 2 songs each are OK, but a fee of $40.00 per entry is required.  If you have questions about entering, please email  smshowcase@iamaweb.org  or call contact Guy Benson iamaedit@iamaweb.org

  Finalists will be announced and notified by Tuesday, May 24th.   You will have approximately 4 weeks to make arrangements to be at the showcase on June 25th.

2015 Finalist Pictured L-R  Michael Henchman, Dan Weber, Rex Seabury, Mindy Dillard, Paul Fritzler, Michelle Moonshine, Roy Matthews, Jen Hajj, J.T. Draper, Marv Hamilton.

 Register for 2016 below: