THE 2023 SONG CONTEST .
PLEASE take the time to read the rules and regulations carefully for the West Coast Songwriters International Song Contest. If you have any questions regarding the contest or any other matter related to entering, please contact us via email at info@westcoastsongwriters.org.
Each Entry must include the following:
When entering your song you are agreeing to the rules and regulations below.
Your song link five (5) minutes or less in length.
Your lyrics must be submitted via an accessible Google Doc link (please include English translation, if applicable) with each entry. Lead Sheets not required for instrumental compositions. Follow instructions carefully when filling out the Google Form for each submission.
$20.00 per song entered for MEMBERS, $25.00 for NON-MEMBERS
ENTRIES MUST BE SENT NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT P.S.T. APRIL 7TH 2023
Each song submitted must be contestant’s original work. Songs may not exceed five (5) minutes in length. Contestants and/or their co-writers cannot be signed to a major label record company or have distribution through major label or its affiliates. Songs that are self-released through streaming and other commercial sites are eligible. Songs may have multiple co-writers, but please designate one name only on the entry form. Contestant may submit as many songs in as many categories as they wish, but each entry requires a separate entrance fee. Entrance fee is non-refundable. WCS is not responsible for late, or misdirected entries.)
Artists entering the West Coast Songwriters (WCS) International Song Contest 2023 have the chance to win an impressive array of prizes. Deadline APRIL 7TH 2023
Prizes Include:
GRAND PRIZE
Performance spot at this year's SUNSET CONCERT (priceless) - (For Performing Songwriters), a year's membership in West Coast Songwriters ($100 Value) [current members will be automatically renewed for an additional year] plus 2 Conference registration passes ($200 value) as well as a $250 gift card from Sweetwater!
You will also have the opportunity to post a video of your song on our Youtube channel.
You will receive 1 hour of one on one coaching with songwriter Bonnie Hayes ($150 Value)
You will receive 2 hours working working with Grammy Winning producer/writer/mixer/engineer Reto Peter ($200 Value).
You will also receive a 1 hr Photo Shoot by Bay Area music photographer Tina Abbaszadeh. Live performance or promo photos. Must be within San Mateo County. Please contact at least 1 month prior to schedule ($250 Value)
About Bonnie:
Bonnie Hayes is a songwriter, recording artist, musician and record producer. She has released 5 records as an artist, including a stint at Chrysalis Columbia and the early Slash/Warner's record Good Clean Fun. Her songs have been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, Bette Midler, Booker T & the MG’s, Adam Ant, David Crosby, Huey Lewis & the News and many others. Hayes also toured as a keyboardist/vocalist with Billy Idol and Belinda Carlisle world tours and has shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bonnie Raitt, Tower of Power, Don Was and countless others. An experienced and adept producer and arranger, she has recorded her own demos as well as producing records for many indie artists and songwriters. Her most recent gig as chair of the songwriting department at the Berklee College of Music ended this year; she is currently building a youth songwriting program at the Blue Bear School in San Francisco, serving on several non-profit boards, and enjoying the California sunshine.
About Reto:
RUNNER UP PRIZE
You will receive 1 hour of one on one coaching with songwriter Bonnie Hayes ($150 Value)
You will receive 2 hours working working with Grammy Winning producer/writer/mixer/engineer Reto Peter ($200 Value).
You will also receive a 1 hr Photo Shoot by Bay Area music photographer Tina Abbaszadeh. Live performance or promo photos. Must be within San Mateo County. Please contact at least 1 month prior to schedule ($250 Value)
Every Category Winner will receive a WCS Tee Shirt & Certificate
There is an “Instrumental” category, but not a “lyric only” category. All songs must be original. If there are 5 or less songs in a category, the songs will be moved to Miscellaneous. A winner will be selected from that category.
This Contest is open to amateur and professional songwriters. A parent/guardian is required to agree to the entry for entries by songwriters under 18 years of age. Employees of WCS, their families, subsidiaries, and affiliates are not eligible.
Winners will be selected by an Executive Committee comprised of noted singer/songwriters. Past judges and Conference guests include Hit Songwriters and producers Narada Michael Walden, Steve Seskin, Andre Pessis, George Merrill, Bonnie Hayes, and others. Songs will be judged based on melody, composition, and lyrics (when applicable). The quality of performance and production will not be considered. Prizes will be awarded jointly to all authors of any song.
The prize winners will be announced on the front page of our website, via press releases and all social networking tools.
Categories include:
Adult Contemporary
Americana
Country
Blues
Broadway/Cabaret/Humorous
Children's Music
Christian/Gospel/Inspirational
Electronic/Dance/DJ
Folk/Bluegrass
Hip-Hop/Rap/Urban
Instrumental
Jazz
Latin
Metal
New Age/Ambient
Miscellaneous
Pop
Reggae/World
Rock/Alternative
Singer/Songwriter
Soul/Funk/R&B
Youth*
Deadline is April 7th 2023
HOW TO ENTER:
1. Each song submission is $20 for MEMBERS, $25 for NON-MEMBERS (BECOME A MEMBER)
2. You will receive a Google Form link per purchase to submit each song.
3. Follow instructions carefully when submitting your links. If we are unable to access your links, your song will be disqualified.
How to create a google doc for your lyrics
By entering you agree to the WCS International Song Contest rules and regulations (please read to make sure you are clear).
*All songwriters entering the YOUTH category must be in the age range of 15-22 All genres of music are accepted in this category. Entering this category will not exclude you from entering other categories.
There is an “Instrumental” category, but not a “lyric only” category. All songs must be original. If there are 5 or less songs in a category, the songs will be moved to Miscellaneous. A parent/guardian is required to sign a youth waiver for all contestants under 18 years of age. A winner will be selected from that category.
This Contest is open to amateur and professional songwriters. A parent/guardian required to agree to the entry for entries by songwriters under 18 years of age. Employees of WCS, their families, subsidiaries, and affiliates are not eligible.
Winners will be selected by an Executive Committee comprised of noted singer/songwriters. Past judges and Conference guests include Hit Songwriters and producers Narada Michael Walden, Steve Seskin, Andre Pessis, George Merrill, Bonnie Hayes, and others. Songs will be judged based on melody, composition, and lyrics (when applicable). The quality of performance and production will not be considered. Prizes will be awarded jointly to all authors of any song.
The prize winners will be announced on the front page of our website, via press releases and all social networking tools.
Prizes will be awarded jointly to all authors of any song. Division of prizes is responsibility of winners. Void where prohibited. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.
Winners will be notified by email. By entering this contest you are asserting the composition entered was written by you, and any stated collaborators, and that the stated authors control 100% of the rights. Entry constitutes permission to use winners’ names, likenesses, and voices for future advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation but only with respect to the WCS song contest and each winner's selection as a winner.Winners will be determined by June 15th, 2023, after which each participant can request a list of winners by e-mail.