IBMA Announces Bluegrass Songwriter Showcase, Deadline to Submit Songs:
May 1, 2010

Good songs are the heart and the future of any musical genre and IBMA
will once again focus attention on 10 selected songwriters and their
material during the World of Bluegrass Convention to be hosted in
Nashville, Tenn., September 27 - October 3, 2010.  The exact date and
time of the Songwriter Showcase, sponsored by ASCAP, will be announced
in a future issue of International Bluegrass and also at http://www.ibma.org.

The IBMA Songwriter Showcase is not a contest.  Its purpose is to
present new, original bluegrass songs to artists, producers and label
reps looking for new material. Both veteran and novice songwriters are
invited and encouraged to submit songs.  Songwriters who presented
original material at past IBMA Songwriter Showcases are not prohibited
from submitting a CD again for this year, but they should present a
different song.

IBMA Songwriter Showcase Application Procedure:

Submit a CD of one original song to: IBMA Songwriter Showcase; #2 Music
Circle South, Suite #100; Nashville, TN 37203.  DEADLINE: May 1, 2010.

CDs will not be returned. Be sure the CD will play in a CD player, and
not just a computer. It is not necessary to submit a highly produced
song demo. A vocal with a guitar is fine.

Typed song lyrics are appreciated.  There is no form to fill out or
application fee to submit a song for consideration, but be sure to
include your contact info: name, address, telephone & email address.

Selection Criteria:

Songs must be…

*       Original works or co-written by the person who submits the song
*       Unpublished OR not previously recorded by a major bluegrass act
or a major act from another genre.

Songs will be chosen on the basis of their…

*       Representation of the bluegrass genre
*       Potential appeal (Are they likely to draw the interest of
recording bluegrass artists, and to get airplay by bluegrass
broadcasters?)
*       Quality of work (lyrics, melody)
*       Entertainment value.

The popular Song Demo Listening Sessions will continue at World of
Bluegrass 2010, where a panel of respected industry reps listen to new
bluegrass songs and comment on them.  To participate in this event, you
must be registered for the IBMA Business Conference on the day of Song
Demo Listening Sessions.  Drop a CD of one original bluegrass song into
the large box on the long table at the front of the room 15 minutes
before the session along with four copies of your lyrics attached. Songs
will be picked at random during Demo Listening sessions.

If you have additional questions, contact Nancy Cardwell at the IBMA
office: (888) 438-4262,  (nancyc@ibma.org) nancyc (at) ibma (dot) org.