Play MPE Congratulates the Winners of American Songwriter’s 2025 Song Contest
As a proud prize partner, Play MPE is pleased to share that our partner American Songwriter has announced the overall winners of the 2025 Song Contest.
The Grand Prize Winner, along with the First and Second Place Category Winners, were selected by an esteemed panel of judges that included artists, songwriters, and producers such as Old Dominion, Dylan Scott, Dayglow, Alissia, Kenyon Dixon, Dasha, Alana Springsteen, Beach Bunny, and many more. The panel also featured top industry executives including Samantha Cox (BMI), Rohan Kohli (WMG), Joe Ferrari (FMG), and Leslie Fram (FEMco).
“Black Powder Smoke” Takes the Top Prize
“Black Powder Smoke” by Lydia Kaseta, Nate Sander, and Dylan Owen has taken home the Grand Prize this year. Congratulations to Lydia Kaseta and her co-writers on this incredible achievement.
Play MPE is excited to award Lydia Kaseta with a comprehensive music promotion and radio tracking package. This includes an International Radio Format Bundle, access to our Global Music Supervisors and Global Music Bloggers lists, and three months of MTR radio tracking for a full-length album release!
First Place Category Winners
The First Place winners in each category will receive music promotion and radio tracking packages from Play MPE, including two US radio formats for a Caster+ campaign and one month of MTR airplay monitoring for a single release.
Americana
“A Pretty Woman’s Like A Rainbow Trout” by Eli Fox
Blues
“Nobody Has To Know” by Zed Charles
Children’s Music
“HERstory (Anthem)” by Flor Bromley
Christian Music
“Sweet Surrender” by Meredith Aguirre, Justin Tweito, Caroline Mason, and Katie Carr
Comedy/Novelty
“Office Christmas Party” by Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, Carsie Blanton, and Joe Plowman
Country
“Wonder Woman” by Abby Rose, Chloe Copoloff, and Wilson Mcbeath
EDM
“Feel It Too” by Christine Ekeberg and Bjørn Saltskog
Folk/Singer-Songwriter
“202020” by Lucy Ellis
Golden
“Circling The Moon” by Jeff Dayton
Hip-Hop/Rap
“All In” by Itz Jaleel
Indie
“Best Friends (Wanted 2 Say)” by Oliver Forest
Instrumental
“MUSEUM” by Jordan Curls
Jazz
“Time Is Not What You Think It Is” by Ryan David Green
Latin Music
“Te Prometo” by César Pinzón, Ela Taubert, and Kevin Aguirre
Music Video
“Grinchy Me” by Jon Cornwall
Musical Theatre
“Fly Away” by Dan Redfeld, Christina Harding, and John Koladziej
Pop
“CHARTREUSE” by Kane Acosta, Connor Scheff, and Danny Shyman (Ashes to Amber)
R&B/Soul
“Lips of a Lover” by Max Boyle and Colton Parker
Rock
“Poison Ivy” by Andie Mackenzie
Teen
“I Do” by Tony Deng
World Music
“Nostalgia” by Cole & The Thornes
Stay Tuned…
Music curators in radio, media, and beyond – stay tuned for forthcoming releases in Player from these talented songwriters and artists in the coming months!
Artists and songwriters: the 2026 Song Contest is now open for submissions. Maybe next year, it’ll be your song that takes the top spot.