John Hartford Memorial Festival Band and Songwriters Competitions.  From johnhartfordmemfest.com on January 10, 2018:

John Hartford Memorial 2018 Band Competition

Win $1000 and a Hartford Main Stage slot for JHMF2019 by winning the JHMF 2018 Band Contest and passes to “The Most Laid Back Festival in America”!

Registration for the 2018 John Hartford Memorial Band Contest is open and accepting entries for qualifying bands that will be narrowed down to 12 competing bands. These 12 bands will perform at JHMF7 around a single microphone on the Hippy Hill stage (Friday June 2nd) and the four finalist bands will perform on the Hartford Stage (Saturday June 3rd). Bands will be competing for cash prizes and an opportunity for a Hartford Stage slot at JHMF8 in 2019. 1st Place Prize: $1000, a Hartford main stage slot at the 2018 John Hartford Memorial Festival. 2nd Place: $500 3rd Place: $300, 4th Place: $200. Cost of primitive park camping will be reimbursed for all members of 1^st thru 4^th place winning bands. Get all of the details by visiting the following link, and while you’re there, read an interview and listen to last year’s winner from Louisville KY, Ida Clare!

www.johnhartfordmemfest.com/john-hartford-band-contest

2017 John Hartford Band Contest Winners, Ida Clare, performing on the front porch of the House That Bill Monroe Built, the Hartford Stage at the John Hartford Memorial Festival!

2018 John Hartford Songwriter’s Challenge Kickoff!!!

Our 2018 Songwriter’s Challenge is accepting entries and will accept up to 35 entries through midnight, March 1st, 2018.

Win tickets to “The Most Laid Back Festival in America”, cash, a hand-made trophy by Tom Burkhart, Signed poster by the artist Jon Griffin, Cloud Shadow jewelry by Patti Hill, “The Cosmic Path to Melody and Lyric” by Ernie Hill, more prizes, and perform in our Songwriter’s Showcase on the Hartford Stage, the House that Bill Monroe built! We do consider all entrants for booking. Visit the following link to learn how to enter, read the guidelines and an interview with last year’s winner, 17-year-old Micahlan Boney from Claxton, GA, listen to her winning song and hear all of our previous winners and more!

https://www.johnhartfordmemfest.com/2018-john-hartford-songwriter-s-challenge!

Micahlan Boney, 2017 John Hartford Songwriter’s Challenge Winner!