Apr. 07, 2026

THE CHAPTER CHALLENGE:

It’s that time of year again! Every year the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) hosts the “NSAI Chapter Challenge.” NSAI members in Local Chapters across the globe have an opportunity to submit one pre-recorded song at their local Chapter meeting! Our meeting this year will be held on Tuesday, May 5th from 7-9pm at the Back Table, in Greensboro, NC.

At this meeting, Chapter Coordinators will facilitate the Chapter meeting, where members will listen to all the songs submitted. Each member can submit 1 (one) song. After the last song is played, fellow members will vote on the song they think should make it to Round 2 of the Chapter Challenge.  The Member’s song that receives the most votes in Round 1 will be forwarded to NSAI. In Round 2, NSAI has an appointed committee that will listen to all song submissions from Members who were selected by their Chapter as the winner. The committee will then vote and select the top 20 submissions.

The basic rules for participation are as follows:

  1. You must be a member of NSAI.
  2. You must be formally affiliated with our Piedmont Triad local chapter.
  3. You must be in attendance to participate and to win.
  4. You must submit a digital copy of your best song via the song consent link below. No live performances will be accepted.
  5. Songs cannot be co-written with a professional songwriter.
  6. Songs under/pending contract are not eligible for submission.
  7. 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.
  8. Members cannot vote for their own song submission.
  9. Non-members cannot vote for or submit a song in the competition.

Our current affiliated members are Adam Mowery, Charlie Ganim, Chesley Holt, Chris Smith, David VonderBurg, David Wilfeck, Dylan Singletary, George Harris, Heather Foster, Ian Hewlett, Kipper Linville, Lauren Stone, Lee Cecil, Perry Gathings, Robert Inman, Sandra Jennings, Stacey Rinaldi, Thomas Troyer, Tonya Rosser, Trey Helms, Wesley Cole, William Nesmith. If your name is not on that list but you are an active NSAI member, you likely still need to affiliate with our chapter.

To find and affiliate with a Local Chapter near you, please follow these steps:

  1. Log into the NSAI website https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com.
  2. Go to https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/chapter-search.
  3. Click the name of the Chapter you are interested in
  4. That takes you to the Chapters Profile page
  5. You will see the Chapter’s information, including a teal button that says, “Affiliate With Chapter.”
  6. Click “Affiliate with Chapter” to join and you’re all set!

Once affiliated, please upload your NSAI Chapter Challenge entry via the chapter song and consent link below labeled “CLICK TO SUBMIT.” You must be logged in to view the form. When submitting, for “Month of Meeting,” choose May 2026.

We will play every member’s song that is submitted and ONLY members will vote for the winner. ONLY SONGS SUBMITTED TO THE PORTAL WILL BE CONSIDERED! Submissions are open now and will remain open until our meeting on April 23rd.

SUBMIT HERE: https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/form/song-submission-consent-form?chapter=48

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THE PRIZES:

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!  

The Chapter Challenge Top 20 will recieve:

  • 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

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THE MEETINGS:

Join us for all of our Piedmont Triad Chapter NSAI meetings, the first Tuesday of every month from 7-9 pm at The Back Table, in Greensboro, NC. The Back Table is located at 816 S Elm St #1A, Greensboro, NC 27406. Our meetings consist of a short dialogue on the craft of songwriting and then concludes with a song share. Join us on our socials below!