Dallas Songwriters Association
2006 SONG CONTEST RULES


Deadline for Entries: July 31, 2006

Entry fee for each song is $20 per song for non-members, $15 per song for current DSA members.

You can choose to enter online through this Broadjam link or enter by mail (see instructions below for mailing entries). You MUST fill out a SEPARATE entry form for EACH song you submit by mail and a SEPARATE CD or cassette for EACH song entry and for EACH song category.

Enclose one check or money order for the total amount for all entries made payable to: Dallas Songwriters Association.

Read the song contest rules carefully - Signing the entry form signifies that you have read and agreed to all contest rules.

SONG CONTEST RULES

  1. The DSA Annual Song Contest is open to any amateur songwriter. (This contest defines “amateur” as a songwriter who has not earned more than $5,000 from songwriting-related royalties, works for hire or advances since January 1, 2002.)
  2. Each song submitted must be your original work.
  3. A song is defined as a melody with lyrics. A single entry may be no longer than five (5) minutes in duration. This applies to all categories except the Instrumental/TV/ Film/Classical category where lyrics are not required and entries in this category cannot exceed seven (7) minutes in duration.
  4. Enter as many songs as you like in each category. Enter as many categories as you like for each song. HOWEVER, EACH SONG CAN ONLY WIN FIRST PLACE IN ONE CATEGORY.
  5. All entries must be either received by mail or fully uploaded by Midnight CDT on July 31, 2006.
  6. First prize or grand prize winning songs of any DSA sponsored annual song or lyric contest are ineligible for entry.
  7. If there are not at least 15 song entries in any category, the songs entered in that category will be placed in the next appropriate category at the judges’ discretion.
  8. Closing and announcement dates may be changed without notice.
  9. Contestants must be at least 13 years of age.
  10. Any contest winner under the legal age of 18 must provide the express written consent of a parent or legal guardian within 48 hours of notification in order to receive prizes and/or promotion through the contest sponsors.
  11. Entrants retain all publishing rights to their song(s).
  12. You are not required to be a DSA member to enter by MAIL, however, to enter ONLINE, you must be a registered member of Broadjam or you must register for a free Broadjam membership to upload/submit your songs to this contest. Song files should be uploaded as 128 KB MP3 files
  13. Contestants will be eliminated for false registration, making false claims, or “cheating.”
  14. Broadjam reserves the right to disqualify any contestant for misrepresentation or misuse of their membership during the contest.
  15. Songs in violation of any copyright not owned by the contestant will be eliminated.
  16. Each contestant must provide accurate contact information or no prizes will be awarded.
  17. Any use of contest material outside of  DSA and Broadjam is in violation of copyrights owned by either DSA or Broadjam and the partnering company of Broadjam.
  18. Additions or deletions to these rules may be made at the discretion of Broadjam and/or DSA, and may be enacted at any time.

    Employees of Broadjam, Dallas Songwriters Association and its judges, their advertising agencies, their affiliates, representatives, and their families or households of their employees are ineligible to enter/win. Broadjam, DSA, its agencies, affiliates, sponsors or representatives absolve themselves of any liability, financial or otherwise, resulting from any contests staged by Broadjam. The selection of contest winners by DSA, Broadjam, its partners or affiliates is final. Arrangements for receiving all prizes, unless otherwise specified, must be made within thirty days of announcing the winners. It is the responsibility of the winners to claim prizes with the thirty days provided. All unclaimed prizes will be forfeited, and DSA or Broadjam and its partners or affiliates may award any unclaimed prize at the end of the thirty-day grace period to a contest runner-up. All prizes are non-transferable and void where prohibited by law. No cash substitution of prizes is allowed. Winners understand and agree that they are responsible for any and all taxes, including but not limited to sales, income, or value added, incurred on prizes received, and for any and all duties, tariffs, or import fees that may be assessed upon receiving contest prizes. DSA or Broadjam and/or its partners, sponsors, or affiliates will incur the cost of shipping. Prizes may be shipped at the discretion of Broadjam and DSA. Neither DSA or Broadjam is responsible for the failure or tardiness of prizes delivered via US Postal Service, United Parcel Service, Federal Express, DHL, or other reputable carrier. Proper identification such as a valid driver’s license, passport, state ID, or military ID may be required to receive the prizes. By accepting a prize, winner releases DSA and Broadjam of any and all liability regarding prizes awarded. All warranties and performance of services promised are the sole responsibilities of the sponsors providing such service. In the event that a winner chooses not to accept a prize, he or she forfeits all claim to that prize. All contestants acknowledge, as a condition of entry, that Broadjam, DSA, and any other sponsor has a right to publicize, or broadcast the winners’ name, character, likeness, voice, or all other matters incidental thereto; to reprint the winning songs and lyrics in the DSA “Songwriters Notes” newsletter and/or website, and/or on a promotional CD given away at the awards ceremony or to radio stations for promotion.  Neither Broadjam nor DSA is responsible for corrupt files due to faulty submissions. Any corrupt files will be deleted without notification. By using the Broadjam site, you signify your agreement to all terms, conditions, and notices contained or referenced herein (the “User Agreement”). If you do not agree to the User Agreement, please do not use their site. Broadjam reserves the right, at their discretion, to update or revise the User Agreement. Please check the User Agreement periodically for changes. Your continued use of this site following the posting of any changes to the User Agreement constitutes acceptances of those changes. Click Here to read more.

Click HERE to Enter Online

Instructions To Enter By Mail
 Click HERE to print entry form for mailing (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0)
 

IMPORTANT! YOU MUST COMPLETE A SEPARATE FORM AND CD OR CASSETTE WITH
 EACH SONG ENTERED FOR EACH CATEGORY!

MULTIPLE SONG ENTRIES ON ONE CD OR CASSETTE MAY BE DISQUALIFIED!

  1. Write the SONG TITLE AND CATEGORY at the top of each lyric sheet.

  2. DO NOT write your name on any lyric sheet.

  3. If submitting a cassette tape, remove the cassette from its case and label the tape with the song title. If submitting a CD, put the CD in an unmarked case and mark it with the song title.

  4. Fold the lyric sheet and write SONG TITLE AND CATEGORY on the OUTSIDE of the lyric sheet. (DO NOT use a marker that will obscure the lyrics inside)

  5. Place the lyric sheet inside the CD case or band it on the outside of the cassette so that the title is visible.

  6. Mail ALL entry forms and fees in the same package.

  7. Entry material by mail WILL NOT BE RETURNED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
    DO NOT SEND YOUR ONLY COPY OR S.A.S.E.

Categories and Judges:

Categories for this contest are as follows:

  1. Country

  2. Singer/Songwriter

  3. Christian/Inspirational

  4. Novelty/Patriotic/Children’s

  5. Pop/Rock/Alt/R&B/Urban

  6. Americana/Folk/Bluegrass

  7. Love Songs/EZ Listening

  8. Instrumental/TV/Film/Classical

All finalists in each category will be judged by music industry professionals from record labels and publishing companies.

The winners in each category will be eligible for the Grand Prize, 1st and 2nd runner up. The Grand Prize Winners will be determined independent of the category or level and will be chosen by Broadjam, CEO, Roy Elkins and/or members of Broadjam's A&R professionals.

Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony and Silent Auction on October 7th, 2006 at the Center for Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak, Dallas TX.

Please direct inquires and entries to:
Dallas Songwriters Association
2006 Song Contest
Sherrie Davis, Contest Director
Sammons Center For The Arts
3630 Harry Hines Blvd. #20
Dallas, Texas 75219
(voicemail) 214-750-0916 x1
e-mail: sherriesong@verizon.net

A one Year membership to DSA is $45. Membership is optional.

Dallas Songwriters Association is a 501 C-3 non-profit educational organization.