16th Annual Maine Songwriters Association Songwriting Contest Finals

Maine Songwriters Association announces our 2026 class of winning songwriters, after receiving 70 entries showcasing an amazing variety of songwriters from all genres across the state. The eight winners were chosen through an anonymous screening process by a panel of celebrity judges from Maine’s music scene: music business and marketing consultant Chris Brown, award-winning songwriter Ruth Hill, and studio owner and nonprofit arts leader Sam Monaco. The 2026 winners are: Ashley Lepre for Bat Bite; Shelby Cobb for For the Dogs; Trisha Mason for Maine Girl; Joe Sweeney for Marsha P; Ghostplayer (aka Ruben Feldman) for OCHNO; Krysteana Scribner for The Make Believe; Friend Andrea (aka Andrea Szirbik Groft) for The Queen; and co-writing team Warren & Rich Valdmanis for Wasting Time. All the winning artists will perform their songs at the live showcase at Cadenza listening room. Order early, as we anticipate this event will sell out. The showcase is generously sponsored by Expanding Sky Studio, a professional recording studio and audio engineering service in Brunswick, Maine. Their mission is to bring meaningful, inspiring music to the world, regardless of genre and commercial intent. Maine Songwriters Association (MSA) is a state-wide, non-profit, member organization dedicated to the support of songwriters and their art. The MSA mission is to encourage, recognize, educate, support and promote developing songwriters.