Attending songwriters from the 1st Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise asked for it, so we're doing it...

Introducing the Texas Songwriters Cruise Songwriting Contest
The contest is open to songwriters who have not earned over $5,000 in songwriter royalties during the past calendar year. Entries must be written or co-written by entrant. Contestants may submit as many entries as they wish, within the following music categories:

Pop, rock/alternative, country, acoustic/folk, R&B/Hip Hop/Rap, Christian, Instrumental

We are excited to announce the finalists in our first ever songwriting contest. One of the following finalists will win a free cruise and free transportation for two to the 2nd Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise. The Grand Prize Winner will be introduced during the 2006 cruise. Good luck finalists!

R & B Category
Don’t Rock The Cradle- Stacey Williams
I Know He Knows- Jennifer Adan
Show Me How To Love You- Jennifer Adan
Push Me Away- Judy Klass
Mykal- Dean Backholm

Christian Category
One- Karen Benedetto
My Savior’s Hands- Doug Malcolm
Journey To Heaven- Richard Davis
Fill My Soul- Steve Waites
Where I Am- Cathy Serum

Instrumental Category
Blue Holiday- Ande Rasmussen
Winter Lake- Richard Davis
Long Journey Home- Michael Hysinger
Rain Garden- Richard Davis
Enchantment- Cheryl Ashton

Rock/Alternative Category
Wake Up (Its Only A Dream)- Michael Hysinger
I Was Wrong- Richard Davis
Love Lets You Know- Cheryl Ashton/Cathy Serum
Joy Said- Shane Hines
Riverside- Tommy Lee Hubbard

Acoustic/Folk Category
Southern Rains- Karen Benedetto
Blue Holiday- Ande Rasmussen
Montreal- Dean Backholm
Guide Me Home- Bruce Scism
Sweet Valley- Cathy Serum
Maybe- Cheryl Ashton/Cathy Serum

Pop Category
Too Long- Jennifer Adan
Sometimes I Love You- Jennifer Adan
I’ll Always Be With You- Angela Stanford
Don’t Give Up On Love- Richard Davis
Last Letter- Shane Hines

Country Category
Angel With An Alibi- Judy Klass
Drive It Like Its Stolen- Steve Waites
She Wrote That In Blue- Ray Phillips
Turn Off The Moon- Cheryl Ashton/Cathy Serum/Richard Davis
Doin Time In Texas- David Reed/Mike McQuerry
Lets Hear It For America- Eric Smyth
Ying Yang Thang- Ray Phillips
Texas Is Missing You- Dustin James Guarnere

The Grand Prize winner will be announced during the 2006 cruise.

Grand Prize

• A cabin for TWO, aboard the Carnival Fun Ship "Ecstacy", during the 2nd Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise, (departing from Galveston Texas on December 2, 2006 and returning December 7, 2006).
• Port fees, taxes, and meals paid in full (associated with the above-mentioned cabin).
• Transportation for TWO, (within the Continental U.S.), to/from Galveston, Texas.
• Complimentary passes for TWO, to attend the songwriting conference during the 2nd Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise.
• 2nd Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise T-Shirts (2) and Koozies (2).
• Certificate of Achievement
  (Note- the Grand Prize song will be selected by top music industry pro's from the first place winners in each of the music categories).

First Prize

• Complimentary passes for TWO, to attend the songwriting conference during the 2nd Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise. (Winners must purchase cabin to receive complimentary passes.)
• 2nd Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise T-Shirt (1) and Koozie (1).
• Certificate of Achievement (Note- First Prize Winner Awards will be awarded per music category. Ie...7 First Prize Winners, one from each category. Must pay for and reserve your own cabin, (based on double occupancy), to attend this conference to collect this prize. No substitutions. First Prize winning songs will still be entered into the Grand Prize song competition, whether or not your cabin is already previously reserved).

Finalists

• 2nd Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise T-Shirt (1) and Koozie (1).
• Certificate of Achievement (Note- Finalist Awards will be distributed for songs judged as First, Second, or Third within each music category).

Note: Prizes are final. No substitutions of prizes permitted. Winners who have already paid for their cabin, transportation, and/or conference fee will be refunded as applicable.

Each entry must be postmarked by October 31, 2006.

1. Each song submitted must be the contestant's original work. Songs may not exceed five (5) minutes in length. Contestants may submit as many songs as he/she wishes. Each song requires a separate CD and lyric sheet. (Entry fee is non-refundable. The Texas Songwriters Cruise is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, misappropriated, postage due, or stolen entries).
2. Division of prizes among co-writers is the responsibility of winners; prizes will be awarded to name on entry form. Void where prohibited. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.
3. Contest is open to songwriters who have not earned over $5,000 in songwriter royalties during the past calendar year. Employees of the Texas Songwriters Cruise, their families, subsidiaries, and affiliates are not eligible.
4. A Judging Committee comprised of music industry professionals and award- winning songwriters will judge the Grand Prize Winner. Songs will be judged based on melody, composition, lyrics, and potential for commercial release.
5. Each postal entry must include the following:
• A signed and completed entry form (or photocopy).
• A CD containing one song only
• A clearly written or typed Lyric Sheet (not required for instrumental entries).
• A check or money order, payable to Texas Songwriters Cruise, for entry fee ($20 for first song, $15 for each additional song).
• Multiple entries/categories should all be sent in one package with the total entry fee covered by one payment.
• CD’s and lyric sheets should be clearly marked with song title and contact information, to include name, phone number and mailing address.
6. Winners will be notified by mail and must sign and return an affidavit of eligibility within 14 days of notification date. The affidavit will state that the winner's song is original work. Failure to sign and return such affidavit within 14 days or provision of false/inaccurate information therein, will result in immediate disqualifications and an alternate winner will be selected. Affidavits of winners under 18 years of age at time of award must be countersigned by parent or legal guardian. Affidavits are subject to Texas Songwriters Cruise and its agents. Entry constitutes permission to use winner's names, likenesses, and voices for future advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation.
7. Winners will be announced by November 18, 2006, after which a complete list of winners will be posted online at www.txsongwriterscruise.com. Please do not contact the Texas Songwriters Cruise to check on the status of your song.
8. Entries will not be returned under any circumstances and the decisions of the judges are final.
9. Entrants retain all publishing and copyrights of their works.
10. Entries should be submitted to:

Texas Songwriters Cruise
P.O. Box 154
Thorndale, Texas 76577

Click here to download the entry form.