The Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA) hosts an annual songwriting contest known as the TSA Songwriter Salute Awards for original country songs.  If you write original songs with a country flavour then this contest provides an excellent platform for your songs to be heard and judged with the potential for prizes, publicity, radio airplay and a chance to expand your song writing profile.

You can enter as a TSA member and receive a discount for entry or  enter as a non-member of the TSA.  The contest offers a wide range of categories for entry.  These include:

• Garry Koehler Commemorative Award for Novice Song

• Geoff Mack Commemorative Award for  Comedy/Novelty  Song

• Eric Watson Commemorative award for  Traditional Country Song  

• Bev Daniel  Commemorative Award for Bush Ballad Song 

• Johnny Ashcroft Commemorative Award for  Local Heroes & Events Song 

• Paul Bonner Jones Commemorative Award for Gospel / Spiritual Song

• Country Rock Song

• Country Blues Song

• Alt Rock  Song

• Alt Ballad  Song

• Open Section

•  John P Toomey Commemorative Award for Lyrics Only

• The Busy Izzy and Friends Award for Youth Songwriting (under 18 years old only)

• The Athol Latham Award for New Songwriter of the Year

The contest opens on August 1st, 2026 and closes for entries on October 1st 2026.  

JUDGING

All entries will be judged by various panels selected by the TSA.  Judges will be from the music industry.  A panel shall consist of three judges. Each member of the panel shall score the song on an overall basis.  Semi-finalists will be judged again by a different panel to determine the finalists and the eventual winner.

 Cost of entry

Costs to enter the songwriting contest:

• TSA members … $15.00 per song
• Non-members … $35.00 per song

The TSA Songwriter Salute AWARDS will be held in Tamworth on January 19, 2026, 7pm at THE PUB Tamworth. Tickets are  $20 plus venue fee and available from The Pub Group ph.  67018400.

1. The contest accepts music & lyrics or lyrics (only) entries – there is no Instrumental section
2. Songs must be oriented to Country life, scenery, subject material and attitude. This can include romantic interest and city comparison but NOT songs with only city setting/context/subject and NOT songs reflecting life or set in a country other than Australia- songs can be generic/nonspecific.
3. A song can only be entered into one category ie. a song should not be entered into multiple categories (please note exceptions in ”4,5,6&7” below) PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON ANY LYRICS SHEETS or mp3 as the first round of judging is treated as an anonymous entry in the interest of fairness. See the following Category in formation with regard to Novice and New Songwriter sections.
4. If a song is entered into one category but is also suitable for either the LOCAL HEROES AND EVENTS and /or YOUTH category or the writer qualifies as a NEW SONGWRITER (see entry criteria below) then that song can be entered into these categories as well.  
5. If you qualify as a Youth writer (under 18 yrs old) and you have a commercial release it is possible that you can enter the New Songwriter category (see entry criteria below) with that same released song.  
6. Any song entered in any category ( excluding the OPEN SECTION) can be entered again in the LOCAL HEROES and EVENTS category –  if that song qualifies as a song suitable for LOCAL HEROES AND EVENTS  
7. Songwriters that qualify as New Songwriters and enter songs in New Songwriter category are also able to enter those songs into any categories (that are appropriate) except for Novice or Youth (if the writer is 18 years & over).
8. If you enter a song into any category, you CANNOT enter the lyrics (of that song) into the LYRICS ONLY category.  
9. Entries for categories (except the OPEN category) must be written by an Australian and/or New Zealand resident /citizen. If you are an Australian/New Zealand citizen/ resident and you are located overseas ie. US or in Aust/NZ you can enter the competition. 
10. The OPEN Category:  has been created for those Australian and New Zealand residents/citizens who have created work with co-writers who are not Australian or New Zealand residents/citizens.  Rule 2 still applies regarding content/ subject and the entrant MUST be an Australian or New Zealand resident/citizen. It is suggested that if you wish to enter a Bluegrass Song then enter it into this Open category. 
11. Cover versions of others’ work will NOT be accepted.  This includes the use of poems or lyrics written by others not of your nominated songwriting team and /or re-arrangements or re-working of songs written by others (not of your songwriting team).  These songs will NOT be acceptable as this is a Songwriting Contest for original material (both lyrics and music). In all cases entries will be accepted from appointed agents/representatives and/or publishers of an eligible writer. An authenticating email is required sent to tsasongwriters@gmail.com from the agent/rep or publisher. 
12. Songs may be recorded outside Australia and may include backing musicians/vocalists from outside Australia.  The competition is about song writing not production or recording.  
13. The songs must be submitted with an MP3 (128kbps) and a pdf (for lyrics) via the online entry platform provided by Songcentral.  All entries to this competition, must be via online there is no provision for alternative entry. 
14. The judge’s decision is final and the TSA will not enter into any discussion regarding the results, rules or the process of the competition.  
15. In entering this national contest, the entrant has deemed to have read, understood and agreed to the rules associated with entering the TSA Songwriter Salute Awards competition.    
16. The TSA cannot be held responsible for any perceived digression or non-compliance in any matter.
17. Offensive material, or songs containing language not deemed to be acceptable by the judges i.e. swearing / foul language will not score well in the competition – so don’t waste your entry fee.
18. Trophies will be awarded to the writers of a winning song.  A maximum of two trophies will be awarded to the writer and any co-writers.  Should more than two co-writers be involved, additional trophies may be ordered from the TSA at cost to the winning team. Husband and wife co-writers will receive one trophy.
19. The awards will be presented in January at the TSA Concert and Awards Show at the Pub, Tamworth.  All finalists will be notified prior to the Awards, the winner will NOT be notified or announced prior to the award’s presentation.  Should they not be able to attend the Awards finalists will need to arrange for a representative to be present on the night to accept their Award on their behalf, if successful.  Any transport of an Award from Tamworth will be done at the winner’s own cost.  Please advise the TSA via email if you cannot attend the Awards and who your nominated representative will be to collect your Award. Alternatively, recipients can arrange it to be mailed at their own cost. Please email tsasongwriters@gmail.com or contact the secretary if you are planning to attend the Awards ceremony.
20. Any song not accepted or declared ineligible will not generate a refund to the entrant.
21. A previous winning song cannot be entered again in any category.
22. By entering this competition, the entrant confirms that the submitted melody and lyrics are of their own (including co-writers) human imagination and thought. Thus entrants are eligible to claim copyright to the submission and be able to identify the human creators of the melody and lyric. TSA recognises that AI  music backing  and electronics may be utilised in the production ONLY of the submitted work. By entering this competition, the entrant agrees that the TSA has the right to check or review entries at its discretion for AI usage in melody and lyric. Furthermore, should the entered song be deemed at any time during the judging process (or even post award) to include AI generated lyric or melody, the entered song will be ineligible for judging and therefore disqualified.

CATEGORY INFORMATION

All categories are suitable for released or unreleased songs except for the NOVICE and NEW SONGWRITER category where restrictions apply.  Please refer to items below in relation to NOVICE and the NEW SONGWRITER categories.

 There is a new category the OPEN category (see rule 10 above).

• NOVICE – the ‘Garry Koehler Commemorative Award’ is a restricted category whereby only unreleased material from a writer and/or team of writers who are Novice writers ie. they have not won a songwriting contest or released song(s) for sale and are not published writers.  
• COMEDY/NOVELTY- Geoff Mack Commemorative Award – entertaining, humourous, designed to amuse, typically through laughter. Novelty refers to the quality of being new, original, or unusual. In combination, they define things that are uniquely funny or use fresh, unconventional twists.
• YOUTH – The Busy Izzy and Friends Award for Youth Songwriting- is a restricted category for entrants and any other co-writer who both MUST be under the age of 18 years (at the time of entry).  Songs entered in this category can include released or unreleased songs.  Any song entered in this category may be also entered into the categories- Novice, Comedy, Bush Ballad, Traditional, Gospel /Spiritual, Alt, Country Rock, Country Ballad and New Songwriter if all conditions are met – but NOT the Open category

• LYRICS ONLY The John P Toomey Commemorative Award for Lyrics Only-  this category is for ‘stand alone’ lyrics (ie not yet in a published or released song)

• BUSH BALLAD – the ‘Bev Daniel Commemorative Award – open category (A song with simple chord pattern, pick ‘n strum style, or musical arrangement sometimes with no chorus or bridge. There must be a story, rural/outback based. The lyric is foremost to the music.  Instruments are usually acoustic, think “campfire”. Examples Slim Dusty “Leave Him In the Longyard”, “Laughter in the Hills”, “By A Fire Of Gidgee Coal”) 
• TRADITIONAL COUNTRY SONG/BALLAD– the ‘Eric Watson Commemorative Award’– (A Traditional Country Song has lyrics that tell a story, the arrangement complimenting the delivery and more musically developed than Bush Ballad. The story again is rural based/relationship based and possibly with a more modern setting. Examples, Sara Storer “Beautiful Circle, Adam Harvey “A Shake of the Hand” John Williamson “Chandelier of Stars”)
• OPEN– for songs entered by Australian/New Zealand residents/citizens who have co-writers from other countries ie. US, UK. Also, this category is where you may enter Bluegrass songs – in all cases rule 2 will apply. Any song style can be entered in this category by any team or individual writer provided that team or writer qualifies, rule 2  and the other general rules still apply. If you cannot see where your song fits in any other category-then enter this category. Open category songs cannot be entered in any other category.
• PAUL BONNER JONES COMMEMORATIVE AWARD for GOSPEL/SPIRITUAL – uplifting- inspirational songs or those of a religious nature any presented style , rock, ballad or bush or bluegrass.
• COUNTRY ROCK –  As a music genre, country rock describes a fusion of traditional country music with the energy and instrumentation of rock and roll.  It normally has heavier riffs and working-class, gritty attitude of quintessential Australian pub rock, country flavour, generally upbeat tempo. Good combination of lyric and melody will score well.
• COUNTRY BLUES – Australian country blues is a fusion of the raw storytelling similar to American folk-blues and the distinctly local narratives of Australian bush music. It features acoustic slide guitars, harmonicas, and “swamp stomp” rhythms, with lyrics exploring outback life, working-class struggles, and the environment generally with a 12-bar arrangement with good lyric and story.
• ALT ROCK BALLAD– Slower rock songs with typically electric guitar riff. Various instruments and a not so strict adherence to the disciplines of rhyme, meter and song structure. Quality of lyric and story is important.
• ALT COUNTRY BALLAD Alt Country themed genre, slower rhythm guitar, story songs about the country, Australiana songs ie. John Williamson’s style. Various instruments and a not so strict adherence to the disciplines of rhyme, meter and song structure. Quality of story and lyric is still important.
• LOCAL HEROES & EVENTS – the ‘Johnny Ashcroft Commemorative Award’.  This category is for writers whose subject is either an individual, or a group ie. stockman, doctor, paramedic, police, fire fighter/s, soldier/s, Lifesaver/s, Volunteer or citizen or an Event involving Australians – who the writer feels should be honoured with a song.  Anzac songs are popular here. Any music style-Rock, Ballad, Blues or Traditional – the essence is the story. 
• ATHOL LATHAM NEW SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR – The ATHOL LATHAM New Songwriter of The Year Award for a team or individual is to recognise and promote new talent in Australian Country Music.  There is a cash prize for the winning song only ( ie not for each writer) plus up to three trophies.  This award is for original material, lyric and melody and has date restrictions as well – the song must be commercially available/released from the last 12 months.  Entrants (along with each member of the songwriting team) must have had their first commercial release within the last 5 years prior to the closing of this competition ie. between 1st October 2021 and the 30th September 2026.   Any Song entered must have been commercially released after 1st October 2025.  Commercially released means that the song is recorded and a copy of that recording is available for purchase through any medium including private sale.  Entrants may be asked to provide information to this effect. 

 Additional AWARDS

Athol Latham Country Song of The Year: There is an award for Country Song of the Year. The song will be selected from the winners of all the sections and will be selected by a special panel. The award will be a separate presentation on the night of the Awards.

Radio Presenters Award:  This Award is the result of a survey of selected Radio Presenters across Australia nominating writers who have produced (in the Presenters’ opinion) a fine body of work during the last 12 months.

Judging

All entries will be judged by various panels selected by the TSA from the music industry. A panel of three judges shall be involved in the judging process. Each member of the panel shall score the song on an overall basis out of 100 points. Semi-finalists will be judged again by a different panel to determine the finalists and the eventual winners.

Prizes

Winning songs in all sections will receive a TSA trophy and cash component. 
The winning entry of the TSA New Songwriter of the Year Award will receive a TSA trophy and cash component.

Good luck to all the entrants!

TSA TEAM

Contact: tsasongwriters@gmail.com