Music Prize 2026 | $10,000 Cash Prize for Best Musician

Submissions are now open for 2026!

The deadline to enter is Tuesday, July 7, 2026 by 11:59pm CT.

How to Compete in Music Prize

Register your Music Act — all genres accepted.
Upload a Video Audition with 3-5 original songs (10-20 minutes) by Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 11:59pm CT. May be one video or stitched several performances. Must be a live performance!
Complete your Musician Portal by Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 11:59pm CT.
The Finalists will be announced online in August 2026. Finalists will be selected by industry professionals.
Finalist Musicians attend MPCon and play at Prize Fest October 16-17, 2026.
Grand Prize winner is awarded $10,000 cash. Second place is awarded $2,000 cash. Third place is awarded $1,000 cash. Audience choice wins $1,000 cash.

Music Prize is more than a battle of the bands.

We know that playing on stage is just the tip of the iceberg for musicians. The hard work happens through rehearsals, managing relationships with bookers and venues, navigating streaming platforms, social media, and so much more.

At Music Prize, we provide not only a stage to play on, but the mentorship of music industry professionals from across the country. These mentors will get to know you and your work at our intensive music conference, called MPCon, which will elevate your craft and help you advance your career.

MUSIC PRIZE IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

How to Compete in Music Prize

Participating in Music Prize is easier than you think. And we’re here to help along the way.

Step 1: Register Your Music Act

To enter Music Prize, competitors must register their Act. With your registration, Music Prize staff will stay in touch with you regarding your entry and make sure you’re on track to deliver your Video Audition and Musician Portal by the deadline of Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 11:59p.m. Central Time.

Step 2: Upload Your Video Audition and Assets

Each Music Act must record and upload a Video Audition consisting of 3-5 original songs (10-20 minutes) by Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 11:59pm CT. This video may be as simple as one camera in your practice space or be a highly produced performance taping. It can be one continuous Audition or composed of stitching together several live performance clips. No matter what, the performance must be live. What matters most is sound quality and your performance, not fancy camera work. The Selection Committee is looking for great music and amazing stage presence. Be sure to turn it up to 11 for your submission.

Musicians must also complete the Musician Portal, an online profile before the deadline. This is where you can upload your promo photos, band logo, submit social links, and more.

Step 3: Gather Your Audience and Prepare to Impress

Music Prize isn’t just about chords and lyrics, it’s about the show, the flow, and your command of a live audience. Your rehearsals and performances leading up to Music Prize should be about honing how you combine artistry and performance. Judges are instructed to take your showmanship into account when making their selection for the winner of Music Prize!

Step 4: Attend MPCon to Elevate and Make Industry Connections

Finalists are invited to Prize Fest in Shreveport, Louisiana on October 16-17, 2026 to participate in-person at our music conference and professional development event, called MPCon. During the day, you’ll meet with, learn from, and impress the Music Prize Mentor Judges who will be selecting the $10,000 Grand Prize winner. Note: The Mentor Judges are different from the semifinals Selection Committee.

Two members of each Music Act MUST attend both days of MPCon on October 16-17, 2026 to compete for the cash prizes. Each Musical Act will receive two tickets to MPCon as a part of their registration. Additional tickets will be available to additional band members, space permitting.

Step 5: Play a Set and Compete for Music Prize Glory

Finally, each Music Act will perform live in downtown Shreveport. Audiences and judges will watch you leave it all on the Music Prize stage. This will be the chance to show the judges what you’re made of in the spotlight which, along with your engagement at MPCon, will determine who they choose as the winners.

Each Finalist is awarded $500 to perform plus one complimentary hotel room for October 16-17, two tickets to MPCon, plus VIP badges for each of the performing band members which grant you free food and drink throughout the festival. Music Acts which originate from outside of Northwest Louisiana will receive up to $250 in travel reimbursements including transportation and optional lodging stipend in place of a provided hotel room.

Step 1: Register Your Music Act

To enter Music Prize, competitors must register their Act. With your registration, Music Prize staff will stay in touch with you regarding your entry and make sure you’re on track to deliver your Video Audition and Musician Portal by the deadline of Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 11:59p.m. Central Time.

Step 2: Upload Your Video Audition and Assets

Each Music Act must record and upload a Video Audition consisting of 3-5 original songs (10-20 minutes) by Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 11:59pm CT. This video may be as simple as one camera in your practice space or be a highly produced performance taping. It can be one continuous Audition or composed of stitching together several live performance clips. No matter what, the performance must be live. What matters most is sound quality and your performance, not fancy camera work. The Selection Committee is looking for great music and amazing stage presence. Be sure to turn it up to 11 for your submission.

Musicians must also complete the Musician Portal, an online profile before the deadline. This is where you can upload your promo photos, band logo, submit social links, and more.

Step 3: Promote the Semifinals to Win the Audience Vote

Music Prize isn’t just about chords and lyrics, it’s about the show, the flow, and your command of a live audience. Your rehearsals and performances leading up to Music Prize should be about honing how you combine artistry and performance. Judges are instructed to take your showmanship into account when making their selection for the winner of Music Prize!

Step 4: Attend MPCon to Elevate and Make Industry Connections

Finalists are invited to Prize Fest in Shreveport, Louisiana on October 16-17, 2026 to participate in-person at our music conference and professional development event, called MPCon. During the day, you’ll meet with, learn from, and impress the Music Prize Mentor Judges who will be selecting the $10,000 Grand Prize winner. Note: The Mentor Judges are different from the semifinals Selection Committee.

Two members of each Music Act MUST attend both days of MPCon on October 16-17, 2026 to compete for the cash prizes. Each Musical Act will receive two tickets to MPCon as a part of their registration. Additional tickets will be available to additional band members, space permitting.

Step 5: Play a Set and Compete for Music Prize Glory

Finally, each Music Act will perform live in downtown Shreveport. Audiences and judges will watch you leave it all on the Music Prize stage. This will be the chance to show the judges what you’re made of in the spotlight which, along with your engagement at MPCon, will determine who they choose as the winners.

Each Finalist is awarded $500 to perform plus one complimentary hotel room for October 16-17, two tickets to MPCon, plus VIP badges for each of the performing band members which grant you free food and drink throughout the festival. Music Acts which originate from outside of Northwest Louisiana will receive up to $250 in travel reimbursements including transportation and optional lodging stipend in place of a provided hotel room.

A Selection of Past Finalists and Winners

Below is a small selection of work by finalists and winners over the past 13 years of Music Prize competition.

Cure for Paranoia

Grand Prize Winner, 2025

Lew Apollo

Second Place Winner, 2025

Big Wy's Brass Band

Audience Choice Winner, 2025

AJ Haynes (now Seratones)

Grand Prize Winner, 2013

Ricky Latt & Tipsey

Grand Prize Winner, 2018

The American Hotel System

Grand Prize Winner, 2022

Star Chamber

Grand Prize Winner, 2017

Lance Thompson

Grand Prize Winner, 2020

Ponderosa Grove

Grand Prize Winner, 2021

HWY Lyons

Grand Prize Winner, 2018

The Breton Sound

Grand Prize Winner, 2015

Octavia the Great

Second Place Winner, 2022

Register now for the 2025 competition!

If you have questions, please reach out to Greogry Kallenberg at gregory@prize.foundation.