It’s Songwriter Contest time again!

NSAI’s 24th Song Contest launches August 1st

by Preshias Harris

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) along with presenting sponsors The Bluebird Cafe and CMT have announced additional details for the 24th annual NSAI Song Contest. (Scroll down to see how to enter.) 

Launching August 1 at 12:00pm Central, this year’s contest will award over $20,000 worth of prizes including: two cash prizes ($5,000 and $2,500), $1,500 towards a Guitar Center purchase, two 417e guitars from Taylor Guitar, a mentor session with either Ingrid Andress or David Hodges, a one-year single-song publishing contract with Anthem Entertainment, a tour of the CMT Headquarters and 2 pairs of tickets to 2024 CMT Music Awards, an experience at The Bluebird Cafe and more.

Songwriters of all genres are invited to submit their songs and/or lyrics here www.nsaisongcontest.com to be evaluated by industry professionals for valuable feedback and for their chance to win big. Up to 22 entries will place in the contest after several phases of judging, including a live final judging where the Lyric Category winner will be announced and the Song Category Top 10 finalists will be judged once more before revealing the Grand Prize Song Category Winner. Judging will take place no later than January 2024. 

Continue reading “It’s Songwriter Contest time again!”

‘Inside Track’ mid-month update

Elvie Shane at No. 1, Chris Young and Kane Brown celebrate… and more

By Preshias Harris

Here’s a quick round-up of some of the stories that will be in my column in November. Scroll down for news about Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Chris Young, Kane Brown, this year’s NSAI Annual Song Contest, the 2021 inductees into the Songwriters Hall of Fame … and “My Boy” Elvie Shane’s long climb to No. 1!

“My Boy” tops Billboard Airplay chart

Elvie Shane is No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart dated Oct. 23, 2021!  Elvie’s debut single, “My Boy” (Wheelhouse), leaps from No. 5 to No. 1 for its 54th week on the chart, according to MRC Data. That’s right: a nail-biting fifty-four week climb!

On Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart (blending airplay, streaming and sales data), “My Boy” rose from No. 7 to No. 4.  Written by Elvie along with Nick Columbia, Lee Starr and Russell Sutton, “My Boy” is a track from Elvie’s upcoming album Backslider, set for release Oct. 29.

Earlier on Instagram, I proudly posted:

Sharing a plaque of memorable photos with Elvie Shane

So excited for @elvieshanemusic. He has the #1 #countrymusic song for #Myboy. I gave him this 2021 music milestone plaque when he, Mandy and their baby stopped by the office a couple of weeks ago.  Photos are of his first tour bus, his first Grand Ole Opry appearance, Bonnaroo stage, and Elvie, Mandy and Caleb in a People Magazine exclusive. I watched him work hard all these years and wanted to give him something to remind him how truly special 2021 has been for his career and his family.  I was blessed to be there at the journey’s start. Love y’all Elvie.

“My Boy” was written from Elvie’s perspective as a stepfather. “We’ve been told for five years that this song was a No.1,” Shane told Billboard. “I always found it hard to believe that I could be part of something like that.”

Preorder/presave Backslider here.

NSAI’s Song Contest open for entries

Continue reading “‘Inside Track’ mid-month update”