You must be an active NSAI member to submit a song to the Chapter Challenge.

LOCATION: 1710 Roy Acuff Pl. Nashville, TN 37203

TIME: Doors will open at 5:00pm CT / Event will begin at 5:45pm CT

PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE EARLY - SPOTS ARE LIMITED AND FILL UP QUICKLY!

If you are unable to attend this workshop in person, please note that it will NOT be streamed or-distributed for later viewing.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

You must be an NSAI Member to fully participate in the Chapter Challenge workshop.

Bring an MP3 version of your song that you can easily play from your phone.(Cassette tapes will not be accepted.)

*Members are more than welcome to attend and simply observe the event even if they do not want to submit a song for the challenge!

We will play the first verse and first chorus of each song. At the end all members will vote on their favorite song from the room they are in.  Then all groups will combine to vote on the final song that will be labeled the winner and sent on to further advance in the national Chapter Challenge contest. 

Up to 75 members can participate and will be played in order of arrival.

If you arrive earlier than 5pm, please join the line on our covered porch on the Roy Acuff side of building. Once doors open you will sign in and be assigned to your designated room

• AI MUST NOT be used in the creation of the Song (melody) or Lyric of the submission to be eligible. Song submission must be the original work of the Songwriter without use of any artificial intelligence, and must not infringe upon the copyrights, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity or be otherwise contrary to applicable laws and regulations. 

For all Chapter Challenge Rules visit our website here! https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/2026-chapter-challenge

Chapter Challenge Prizes Include:

The winning NSAI Member and the winning NSAI Coordinator whose songs are chosen will each receive:

• A curated Nashville, Music Row experience - exclusively customized for each winning writer, specific to their individual talent, inspirations, and goals including:
• Two industry meetings that are in alignment with the writer’s unique style (to be completed within a year of winning)
• Lunch with NSAI Staff (to be completed within a year of winning)
• One (1) Roundtrip flight on Southwest Airlines, Official Airline Partner of NSAI 
• Winners will receive flight vouchers and instructions to book their own flights.
• Flight vouchers expire on May 1, 2027. 
• Limited to travel only in cities serviced by Southwest Airlines.
• Two (2) night hotel stay at NSAI Partner hotel in Nashville 
• Excluding predetermined blackout dates and upon availability.
• Hotel accommodations cannot be scheduled during the months of March or September
• NOTE: Travel is for two (2) days and two (2) nights (exclusions for dates of travel apply). The trip must be booked at least two (2) months in advance and scheduled between Monday-Thursday.
• A guided tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum (to be completed within a year of winning)
• And more!  

 CHAPTER CHALLENGE TOP 20 PRIZE PACKAGE 

• In depth Song Feedback by Pro Writer 
• Exclusive Online Pitch with a Music Row Publisher
• Recognition on NSAI Socials
• Top 20 playlist featured on NSAI website
• Commemorative Poster

*Please note, any songs containing generative AI content affecting the composition of the song will not qualify for any competition or merit-based recognition opportunities (i.e. Ones to Watch, NSAI Member Awards, Top 40, NSAI Song Contest, Chapter Challenge, live pitch, live feedback events, etc.) 

• To understand melody in music, think about some music you’re familiar with. If you were asked to hum it, what would that sound like? The part of the music that you’d hum is the melody.  According to: Hoffmanacademy.com
• Our policy speaks to the writing/creation of a song, not the production component.
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GUEST ATTENDEES:

NSAI non-members are permitted to observe two workshops prior to joining to experience what NSAI is about. If you have attended more than two workshops as a non-member, you will be asked to join NSAI as a member to fully benefit from membership and attend future events.

PARKING:

Limited parking will be available in the NSAI parking lot.

Additional parking is available on the street (paid) and in neighboring (paid lots.)

**Children under the age of 13 are not allowed at workshops. 13 & up are welcome to become members.**