Enter Your Music Into The International Songwriting Contest And You Could Win $25,000 In Cash And Prizes! Join The Ranks of Gotye, Kimbra, and Others!

If, like me, you equate most songwriting contests with the likes of those drawing contests found in the back of comic books, you may want to give the International Songwriting Contest another look, as they've just named Tom Waits as one of their judges, joining an otherwise stellar cast of 2012 judges that includes Tegan & Sara, Nas, Martina McBride, Bernie Taupin, Keane, Jeff Beck, Brian Setzer, Simon LeBon and Roger Taylor from Duran Duran, and Robert Smith from The Cure, among others.

Admit it, that's not a bad bunch of folks to have listening to your song.

Also, judging from last year's winners - which included exactly NO American artists placing in the "Americana" genre, for crying out loud, it's time for the U.S. to represent.  So, if you've found yourself hearing what passes for great music these days and found yourself saying on more than one occasion that you could do better, this is your chance.

Grand Prize is $25,000 in cash, a Lowden guitar, full Marshall stack with 1960 A and B cabinets and more.

There is a $30 entry fee for each song you wish to enter into the contest and the September 20 deadline is fast approaching so visit the International Songwriting Contest website for all pertinent details and enter today!