News

The 3rd Annual ABOTMA Songwriting Competion is open for entries from 1 July to 30th September 2026. 

The objective of the competition is to encourage artists to develop their own sound and story, and to further Bluegrass and Old-Time traditions in a contemporary context.

A prize of $500 cash will be presented to the winner and $200 cash to the runner-up at the Mountaingrass Festival 2026 where they (or their nominee) will have the opportunity to perform their winning song. The winner and runner-up each receive a complimentary weekend pass to the Mountaingrass Festival in 2026.

The competition and first prize is offered through the generous sponsorship of Performance Advantage, a company providing HR services to small business. Second prize is now sponsored by Greg McGrath of the Australian Bluegrass Blog.  Performance Advantage Director, Suzanne Diprose, will present the prizes at Mountaingrass 2026.

You can check out the entry criteria and find how to submit entries here:

Songwriting competition page.

ABOTMA Songwriting competition 2026