Summer is gone, and autumn brings the annual anxiety over…

“What songs will I enter in the MASC?”

Well, your best ones, of course. But beyond that sage piece of advice, I can’t tell you what to enter but I can tell you why. YOU will be heard by people that matter and who listen to your song, not how much money you dropped at the studio. We are doubling down on our commitment to judge the song and not the production because at SAW, it’s all about the song.

Three Grammy winning judges along with a bevy of respected writers, producers, bookers and recording luminaries, local and beyond mean your song will get a workout and exposure to music industry people.

This year, there are many notables including:
Shelby Lynne (Best New Artist Grammy 2001)
Jon Carroll (Best New Artist Grammy and Best Arrangement on a record, 1976) 
Jodi Marr (numerous well placed co-writes, three Latin Grammys, the title cut on Kristine Chenowith’s recent album and two cuts on Carol King’s last Christmas Album)
Ben Peeler founding member of the Mavericks and sideman to the stars (Shakira, The Wallflowers, and many other groups use Ben as their secret musical weapon)
Brett Simons (current bassist for Chicago and renowned LA music arranger and teacher)

There are more like this as well as local judges of talent, and your song needs to be heard by them.

The Songwriters’ Association of Washington has been running its international contest for longer than almost anyone else. Many of our winners go on to accolades at festivals and song contests all over the country. ALL of our contestants are winners because they wrote the song, recorded it and sent it in.

Most of our winners are people who send in songs regardless of what they win. They realize that sharing their music process is the real reward and that makes them winners. Often, they win awards too but a good chance and a commitment to what you love is the real prize.

The deadline is fast approaching.  (Sept 30) If you have any questions, write to me at president@saw.org and thank you for making SAW and The MASC the great success it is.