25th Annual NewSong Music Competition Opens Submissions, Announces Asheville Finale

The 25th annual NewSong Music Competition has opened its call for original songs. Artists worldwide can submit by 11:59 PM PST on Sunday, September 13, 2026, for a chance to win a fully‑funded six‑song EP and 300 vinyl copies of the winning project.

NewSong Music, an independent artist‑development organization and record label, is hosting the competition to discover and nurture songwriting talent across all genres. The event will culminate in Asheville, North Carolina, where eight finalists will perform, compete, and network with peers and industry judges.

All 2026 entrants are eligible for a 5 % discount on vinyl pressing projects at Citizen Vinyl, the North Carolina‑based plant known for its high‑quality manufacturing and patented vinylkey® technology. The discount applies to any Citizen Vinyl order placed by a competition participant.

Eight finalists will be selected from online submissions received from North America and beyond. The finalists will be announced on Friday, September 11, 2026, through NewSong’s Facebook, Instagram, website blog, and newsletter. A panel of music‑industry judges will evaluate the finalists’ performances and choose a grand‑prize winner. The winner receives a fully funded six‑song EP, recorded and produced by NewSong staff, and 300 vinyl records of the EP pressed at Citizen Vinyl.

Past NewSong winners include Nashville’s Crys Matthews, Jobi Riccio, Portland’s AC Sapphire, and Saluda, NC’s Slow Runner. The 2025 grand‑prize winner was Susan Anderson of Asheville. These artists have gone on to release music through NewSong’s label and perform at regional and national venues.

Citizen Vinyl, founded in Weaverville, North Carolina, is an award‑winning pressing plant that emphasizes artist‑focused service. Its vinylkey® technology links physical records to digital engagement, allowing artists to offer unique, authenticated releases. Citizen Vinyl’s pressings are available in small‑run quantities, and the plant has partnered with independent labels and creators seeking high‑end vinyl.

The competition’s final event will take place at The Grey Eagle, a popular Asheville venue located at 185 Clingman Ave. The Grey Eagle hosts a variety of live music and will host the final on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The venue’s intimate setting and Asheville’s vibrant music scene provide an ideal backdrop for the finalists’ performances.

For more information, submissions, or press inquiries, contact Alli Marshall at alli@newsong‑music.com or via the NewSong website at newsong‑music.com/contest.

The 25th NewSong Music Competition offers creators a rare opportunity to secure professional recording support and a vinyl release, while also benefiting from Citizen Vinyl’s discount and technology. The competition’s structure—online submission, regional finalist showcase, and industry‑panel judging—mirrors the pathways many independent artists use to launch their careers.

The competition’s timeline is clear: submit by September 13, finalists announced September 11, and the final event on October 25. Artists who enter will also receive a 5 % discount on any Citizen Vinyl pressing, providing a tangible benefit for those who reach the final stage.

The event underscores the continued importance of independent competitions in discovering new songwriting talent and supporting the creation of physical music media in an era dominated by digital distribution.

As the competition progresses, NewSong and Citizen Vinyl will continue to promote the finalists and the final event through social media and their respective channels, ensuring visibility for the artists and the community that supports them.