Here’s another bit of news that may be of interest to bluegrass/acoustic songwriters. Submissions are now being accepted for the 3rd Annual International Acoustic Music Awards. Entries are accepted from anywhere in the world, in any language, and are accepted for a $35 submission fee.

Entries must not be wholly acoustic, but prominent use of acoustic instruments and voices must be used. There are a variety of stylistic categories, including one that is specifically labeled as Country/Bluegrass, as well as an Instrumental and Folk/Americana/Roots.

Prizes include more than $10,000 in merchandise and services, plus inclusion on the IAMA compilation CD distributed to radio. Criteria for judging is described in this way:

Winners will be chosen by a Blue Ribbon Judging Committee comprised of music industry professionals including A&R managers from record labels, publishers and producers. Entries are judged equally on music performance, production, originality, lyrics, melody and composition.

You can see a list of last year’s winners on the IAMA site, where you will also find the contest rules, and entry form.