UNSIGNED ONLY 2018 is reopening entries for a special promotion, so if you missed the deadline and still want to enter, or if you want to enter more songs, you still have a chance to participate in this year’s competition.
WHAT IS GRAND SLAM? The GRAND SLAM promotion runs from May 8th to June 6, 2018. Each week will offer a different promotion and bring unique opportunities and benefits to entrants. You can enter online or through the mail. You are welcome to enter any of these promotions or all of them. Winners for these four promotions will be announced along with all of the other category winners in September, 2018. All entrants will receive 100 free spins to Radio Airplay (whether you are an existing Radio Airplay member or a new member) – just for entering! Additionally, every entrant will also be entered into the overall 2018 Unsigned Only competition and have the chance for their music to be heard by a high-profile panel of judges, as well as be eligible to share in over $150,000 in cash and prizes.
FIRST BASE | May 8 – 14 | GET PLAYED WITH DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION
You’ve got a great song or album, so now what do you do? If you want to easily sell it online via iTunes, Spotify, etc., then this promotion is made for you. Ten finalists will be chosen, and one overall winner will receive one free album distribution online and one free video distribution, courtesy of Symphonic Distribution. Everyone who enters this promotion will have their initial Symphonic Distribution setup fee waived. This promotion is for original music only.
SECOND BASE | May 15 – 21 | GET EXPOSED ONLINE
Every indie artist could use more exposure, and this promotion will help to achieve that goal. Ten finalists will be chosen, and one overall winner will receive a promotional package from Unsigned Only that will include an official press release distributed to thousands of press outlets, editorial coverage from our partners (BRASH Magazine, KC Cafe Radio, and MusicianPlayer), and a quarter page advertisement in Music Connection Magazine focusing on the winner. Additionally, the promo package will consist of social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and inclusion on Unsigned Only’s Spotify playlist. This promotion accepts both cover songs and original music.
THIRD BASE | May 22 – 29 | GET PUBLISHED WITH YOUR SONGS
We all know how important publishing is to an artist – it is one of the major sources of revenue, but it is extremely difficult to get your music heard by publishing companies. Unsigned Only is offering you the opportunity to have your songs heard by established, high-profile publishers. Ten finalists will be chosen, and their songs will be made available online to a group of over 1,000 publishers. One overall winner will also get to directly speak to and network with at least five publishers, all from well-known and respected music publishing companies. This promotion is for original music only.
HOME RUN | May 30 – June 6 | GET PAID FOR THE WIN
There is nothing like cash to help finance a new album, buy new gear, prep for a tour, etc. One lucky winner will be selected to win $1,000 in cash. Additionally, the winner will receive a 500 CD Duplication package from Disc Makers. This promotion accepts both cover songs and original music.
WHO SHOULD ENTER UNSIGNED ONLY?
Unsigned Only is designed for solo artists, bands, and singers all over the world who are unsigned to a major label record deal. Since the eligibility is for unsigned artists only, it levels the playing field for entrants because they are not competing with well-known artists, Grammy winners, or artists with a major label machine behind them.
Categories include AAA (Adult Album Alternative), AC (Adult Contemporary), Americana, Christian, Country, EDM (Electronic Dance Music), Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Pop/Top 40, R&B/Hip-Hop, Rock, Screen Shot (songs suitable for placement in film/TV/advertising/gaming), Teen (artists 18 years old or younger as of 12/31/18) and Vocal Performance.
The Grand Prize winner of the overall competition is awarded $20,000 USD in cash (plus additional prizes) and one-on-one mentoring by an elite group of record company executives. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to directly network with top record company professionals and receive advice, guidance, feedback, and networking opportunities. Prizes are also awarded to First and Second Place winners in each category.
Sponsors: Berklee College Of Music; Celebrity Access; D’Addario; Eventide ; Eventric; Hybrid Studio; Groove 3; Lurssen Mastering ; Magix; Merch Cat; Musician Wellness; Radio Airplay ; PRA Audio Systems; Pro Tour Nutrition; Shure; Symphonic Distribution ; The Music Business Registry; and Vocal Eze.
