FAQ

Each contestant will perform three original songs they have written for a live audience and fellow contestants, who will be following along with printed lyric sheets.

Contestants are required to bring 40 printed copies of the three songs they intend to perform, formatted onto one double-sided 8.5" x 11" sheet. And, of course, don’t forget your instrument!

Each qualifying round will have 3-10 individuals competing. Each contestant performs 3 original songs live with a 15-minute time limit. The songs will be printed out for fellow contestants, judges, and audience members to follow along. After everyone has performed, judges and voting audience members will rank their top songs, assigning points to each. 

The top three contenders will advance to the semifinals and finals held in Ten Sleep during the Ten Sleep Finale over Labor Day Weekend.

If possible, yes. We ask that contestants format all three songs onto a single double-sided 8.5" x 11" sheet using both the front and back of the page.

Before the event begins, contestants will draw numbers to determine the performance order. At that time, all lyric sheets will be collected and assembled into the audience program. Having all three songs on a single sheet makes this process much faster and helps keep the program compact and easy to follow.

If you are unable to fit all three songs onto one double-sided sheet, you may bring up to three separate pages. However, they must already be stapled together and placed in the correct order before arrival.

Performance order will be determined at the event. Once all contestants have arrived and checked in, we will draw numbers to create the lineup for the evening. Please plan to arrive an hour early so you are included in the drawing.

This year our board members nominated and voted on judges selected for their songwriting and industry experience, with variety in mind (e.g. variety of experience, musical genre, and demographics)

Many of the judges are outside of the organization, some are our board members, and some are previous winners/finalists. We strive to select new judges each year.

Audience members are also able to judge and vote for their favorite songs in a separate category. These votes will be announced to give special recognition to the audience’s favorites as well as a cash prize each round.

Judging is hard. We ask all judges to prioritize the quality of songwriting above all else, and we strive for a judging process that is fair and unbiased. It’s important that all contestants are comfortable and trust the system!

Each contestant will perform three original songs during a 15-minute performance slot. Printed lyric sheets will be provided for fellow contestants, judges, and audience members to follow along during the performances.

After all contestants have performed, judges and participating audience members will rank their top 10 songs by assigning points to each selection. Their favorite song receives 10 points, the next receives 9 points, then 8 points, and so on down to 1 point.

This scoring system helps simplify the process and reduces the likelihood of counting errors. Once all ballots are collected, the points are totaled to determine both the “top songs” and the top overall singer-songwriters.

Each qualifying round can host up to 10 contestants. At full qualifying events, the top 4 contestants will advance to the finals in Ten Sleep.

For qualifying rounds with fewer contestants, the number of finalists advancing may be adjusted. Typically, events with 8 or less contestants will advance the top 3 performers.

In rare instances it has happened that the contestant with the number 1 song did not receive the points total needed to advance in their group. That individual will be invited to the final round, but can only play the one song, and can only compete for the "top song" award. 

No, you must play by yourself!

You can accompany your song with an acoustic instrument, either mic'd or played through a PA system on a "clean" setting (without effects). You can sing without an instrument if you choose. A small amount of reverb can be added to the PA system only if the majority of contestants for a specific event request it. Personal pedals and amps are not allowed.

We anticipate that 30 - 40 contestants will attend the finals, and are planning this as a multi-day event and festival spanning three days. On Sunday, September 4th the grand finale will consist of no more than 10 finalists.

You cannot as that would count as a second instrument. This would open the door for other supplemental instruments like foot tambourines, kick drums, etc.

Final rounds held at Ten Sleep Brewing Company located at 2549 US-16, Ten Sleep, WY 82442

We kindly ask that competitors limit their entry to just one regional qualifying round. This helps give more songwriters the opportunity to advance to the finals in Ten Sleep.

The good news is that on the first day of the Ten Sleep festival, we also hold a “Last Chance” qualifying round. So if you don’t advance during your regional qualifier, you’ll still have another opportunity to advance to the finals during the festival.