Dear Songwriters,
The Three Rivers Folklife Society is again hosting the Jane Titland Memorial Songwriting Contest in conjunction with the30th annual Tumbleweed Music Festival. This year’s festival will begin on Friday, September 4, 2026 in Richland,Washington’s Howard Amon park, and will also have a virtual component for those performers who cannot travel to Richland.
Each year’s contest features a new song topic based on the theme of the festival for that year. The festival theme for this year will be Tumbleweed – Thirty Years by the River.
Applications MUST be received by email, US mail or landcarrier by April 20, 2026. Songwriting Contest entrants need not be Tumbleweed Music Festival participants, however we strongly urge you to apply!
To enter, you must submit a completed application (click “TMF2026 Songwriting Contest Application” below OR use the online form at the bottom of this page), along with a recording of a performance (by you) of your entry song, and a lyric sheet.
You may submit your application, recorded performance, and lyric sheet either electronically, to tumbleweedsubmissions@gmail.com, OR by US mail or land carrier, addressed to: Songwriting Contest, C/O 3RFS, PO Box 1098, Richland, WA 99352.
If available, we ask that you please include a biography / press kit, photos of yourself or your group, and website/social media information (including tipjar links).
Preliminary entry screening will be conducted in May and June, and ten finalists and three alternates will be notified by early July. The finalists will perform their songs live, with a judging panel in attendance, at the Festival on Saturday afternoon. Note that if a finalist is not able to perform live at the Festival, an alternate will take their place.
Please also note that finalists are requested to provide a video of them performing their song for a songwriting contest finalist compilation that will be posted to ourvirtual festival website. (Click “Songwwriting Contest Video Requirements” below).
The top three winners will receive the following prizes:
• First place will receive $300 and the 2026 Tumbleweed Songwriting Contest trophy; the winner will performtheir winning song during the Saturday night concert at the Festival.
• Second place will receive $150.
• Third place will receive $75.
• The “People’s Choice” (voted on by the audience at the Saturday Songwriting Finalist’s performance) will receive $50.
Rules and Procedures:
• Each competing artist or collaborating group may enter one original song in the contest.
• The song must comprise the original lyrics and melody of the writer(s).
• Songs may have been previously recorded.
• The writer(s) will retain all rights to the song.
• Writers must submit a recording and lyric sheet as instructed on the attached contest entry form.
• Songs must be performed by the writer(s), though others may perform with the writer(s).
• The submitted recording should be representative of a live performance.
• All decisions of the judging panel are final.
• Finalists must submit a video recording of their performance of their song to be considered.
• Judging criteria include, first and foremost, that the song must have original melody and lyrics, and must be on topic.
• Other judging criteria:
• Flow and Rhythm
• Lyric Craft
• Melody
• Imagery
• Originality
• Emotional Impact
• Vocal Skills
• Passion and Believability
• Professionalism
• Musicianship
Photo/Video Release: If accepted as a finalist, you agree to allow your photo and the video of your performance to beused by 3RFS for publicity or grant application purposes, including traditional radio, television, and print media as well as clips from your public social media postings.
There’s no entry fee, so why not challenge yourself?
Sincerely,
Katrina Knight, TMF2026 Coordinator
Tumbleweed Music Festival 2026
tumbleweedmusicfestival@3rfs.net
509.587.3060
David Carson, TMF2026 Applications Coordinator
tumbleweedsubmissions@gmail.com
509.539.8090
2025 – Patrice Webb – Let’s Go Riding
2024 – Daniel James – Slow Grow
2023 – Sonya Lorelle – Whiskey Cryin’
2022 – Eric Schaeffer – My Friend
2021 – Laura Zucker – Sea Glass
2020 – The Go Janes – Who Can Name the Wind?
2019 – Katie Fitz – One Little Word
2018 – Claudia Nygaard – Lucky Girl
2017 -Jen Hajj – Love is Everywhere
2016- Amanda Winterhalter – Shirt
2015- James Nason – Changing Times
2014 – Jeff Knoch – Only A Game
2013 – Mike Murray – Cicero’s Hands
2012 – Jeff Knoch – Crossroads
2011 – Tracy Spring – The Weaver’s Loom
2010 – Tracy Spring – Long Time Gone
2009 – Mike Murray – Grandpa Held the Snakes
2008 – Karena Prater – Arlea’s Lament
2007 – Chris Roe – The Gates of Troy
2006 – Wes Weddell – Carry On
2005 – Art Hanlon – Last Sunday
2004 – Joe Jencks – On Belay
2003 – Joe Jencks – Rise as One
2002 – Larry Murante – It Just Looks that Way
2001 – Groovesmith Collective (Songwriters Jim Coleman, Mary Hartman, Janet Humphrey, and Gary White) – Power Puzzle
2000 – Bill Davie – Lone Ranger on the Moon
1999 – Six Legged Frog – To the Other Side
1998 – Larry Murante – By the Water’s Edge
1997 – Six Legged Frog – Ride the Tumbleweed
