FAQ

How many songs can I enter?

There’s no limit on the number of songs you may enter. Enter as many as you want in one or both categories. Please note that there is a $20 per song entry fee.

Can I enter a song that’s been previously released on an album or as a single?

For a song to be eligible for The Glover Awards, the submitting songwriter(s) must own all the rights to the song. If a song was released under agreement with a label, or a producer, or any other entity apart from the songwriter(s), that song may be ineligible. But if the song was released by the songwriter on a platform like Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, etc., or the songwriter(s) put the song on a CD or vinyl record that they released independently, and the songwriter(s) retained ownership of all the rights to the song, then that song is eligible for submission to The Glover Awards

Who judges the Glover Awards?

Our judges are selected based on two basic criteria: their knowledge of songwriting, and their ability to be impartial and unbiased.

Can I submit a song if the rights are owned by a record label or publisher?

No. The songwriter(s) entering the song must own all rights to the song.

Who owns The Glover Awards?

The Glover Awards is a project of the Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance (HSACA), a non-profit organization devoted to advocating, promoting, and celebrating the arts. The HSACA is based in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which is Henry Glover’s hometown.

When and how will the winners be announced?

Glover Award winners are notified by private email, usually by the middle of April. A public announcement and the presentation of prizes are made at the Glover Awards ceremony, held in Henry Glover’s hometown, Hot Springs, Arkansas. The ceremony is open to the public. The next Glover Awards ceremony will be held in the spring of 2025.

Do I have to attend the Glover Awards ceremony to be eligible to win a Glover Award?

No, but if a winning songwriter doesn’t attend the Glover Awards ceremony, their song will still be performed at the ceremony. If you win a Glover but don’t attend the Glover Awards ceremony, we may choose another artist to perform your song at the public ceremony. We encourage winning songwriters to attend and perform.

I’m not a great singer and/or musician. Is it okay if someone else sings and/or plays the song I submit?

Yes, you may have someone else perform the song you submit, as long as they are named on the song’s entry form, and also give their permission for the recording of their performance to be used without restriction by The Glover Awards.

When did The Glover Awards start?

The Glover Awards were first held in 2021, which was the 100th anniversary of the birth of Henry Glover.

If I enter, will the Glover Awards own my song?

No. Songwriters retain 100% of their ownership of the songs they submit to The Glover Awards.

Can I submit my song in the form of a professionally made music video?

Yes. We accept any type of video, from a multi-million dollar music video to a video shot with your phone on your back porch. Please understand that it’s your songwriting, not the quality of your video, that’s being judged.

What kind of songs are you looking for?

Great songs! The Glover Awards are open to all genres. Whether your song is in the style of Bach or Bad Bunny, Metallica or Miles Davis, Morgan Wallen or Megan Thee Stallion, or any other style, it’s welcome at the Glover Awards.

Is this an amateur contest, or is it open to professional musicians?

The Glover Awards are open to songwriters of any level of career development. Here, songs written by famous people compete head to head with songs written by first time songwriters. This may sound unfair, but we like the idea of every song having an equal chance. We believe it’s impossible to predict where the next great song will come from, so we swing the door wide open to everyone.