Songsmith Showdown
Music First is bringing the Songsmith Showdown to Colorado again this year. We are doing things a bit differently, instead of doing one competition with solo artists competing against bands, we are doing two separate competitions. One competition for solor singer songwriters and another for bands.
Each round will consist of up to 4 artists or bands competing for our title during our Music and Art in the Park event in front of an audience who will then cast their vote for each round winner. Each round will determine a winner, each winner will compete in the finals for the series title. We are also aiming to have a podcast recorded during the competition, opening the votes to those who listen online as well as in person.
Our Solo Singer / Songwriter rounds will breakdown into the following dates;
April 9th, May 14th, June 11th, July 9th and August 13th
Our Band rounds will breakdown into the following dates;
April 16th - Americana
May 21st - Jazz
June 18th - Hip Hop / Rap
July 16th - R&B / Soul
August 20th - Rock
Our finals will be September 20th for the winner of the band competition and September 21st for the Solo Singer / Songwriter winner.
Our prizes will be one lucky winner will get entry into American Songwriter, paid performance slot in a festival September 2026, mastering hours with Colorado Sound Studios or Fox and Robyn (winners choice), consultation with Sonder Music Management, interview and performance slot with KGNU, and $500.
To enter, please email MusicFirstColorado@gmail.com
Qualifications
Each artist, whether a band or solo performer, will need to have at least 5 original compositions with all song authors credited, not all need to be available on a public platform like YouTube, Soundcloud, Spotify. Only the songs that will be submitted to American Songwriters Song Contest will need to be on a public platform.
We are working with American Songwriter and part of the prize for the winner will be entry into American Songwriter’s Song Contest. We follow the same qualifications as them, please note their terms and conditions which can be read here.
How does voting work?
The audience will receive a ticket to vote during our event Music and Art in the Park.
Art Competition
Are you an artist who can capture how music impacts our community?
Music First is bringing you a music driven art competition. Whether your creation is a painting, photograph or art made from found materials, or maybe upcycling an old instrument, and more.
We will put these creations at The Longmont Social, where the public will be able to view your work and vote on their favorite. Your creation will not only be hung at The Longmont Social, but will be shown on our website and talked about by our partners at KGNU.
What can you win?
On top of the possibility of selling your creation. The top 3 winners will get Amazon gift cards and will have their creations turned into merchandise for our festival in September 2025. The 3 Winners will be given a portion of the merchandise, booth space at the festival where they can sell their portion of the merchandise and some of their other creations to the public.
What are the requirements?
~ Creations can be no larger than 18in x 24in, unless you have prior approval from Music First, and must relate to how music impacts our community
~ Creations on canvas and photographs must have proper backing or be in a frame allowing it to be hung
~ Creations that require a stand or other objects for them to be properly viewed, will need to have those items - they will not be provided
~ No nudity or inappropriate language allowed, limit to two entries per artist
~ All artist competitors need to sign up with Music First. You can sign up via email, MusicFirstColorado@gmail.com.
~ All Creations will be labeled with the price, artist name, contact info, preferred method of payment, creation name and description.
Submission Deadline is November 29th
There is no Fee for this competition. Music First and The Longmont Social will not take any cut or portion of your sale. We believe you deserve every cent for your creativity.