Red Bull Gives Wings to Songwriters: Jukebox Contest Returns for 2025. Learn How To Enter!

Red Bull is back at it, cranking the volume and shining a spotlight on the next wave of lyrical storytellers with the return of the Red Bull Jukebox Songwriting Competition, officially open for submissions now through July 1. With a powerhouse panel of judges and the promise of a dream recording experience in Los Angeles, this competition is more than just a contest, it's a launchpad.

Photo Credit: Natalie Somekh / Red Bull Content Pool

At the helm of this year’s judging panel is BRELAND, the genre-bending singer and songwriter who’s earned platinum plaques and the respect of Music Row, Ward Guenther, founder of Nashville’s beloved Whiskey Jam series, and Greg Hammer, Managing Director at Red Bull Records. Together, they’ll help choose the next great songwriter to step into the national spotlight.

The grand prize? An all-expenses-paid trip to Red Bull Recording Studios in Los Angeles, plus a one-on-one coaching session with BMI, a rare and coveted chance to learn from the pros, create in a world-class studio, and be heard. The top three finalists won’t go unnoticed either, scoring a trip to Nashville and a front-row seat to one of country music’s most dynamic events.

It’s an effort to tap into the energy and creativity thriving across college campuses and bring the Red Bull Jukebox experience to tomorrow’s hitmakers.

"Since day one, Whiskey jam has worked to give the rising songwriter and artist community things that they need to succeed on their journey: A stage, an audience, a voice," Ward Guenther told All Country News. "Now teaming up with Red Bull for the Red Bull jukebox songwriting contest, we are giving them wings. This will be an incredible opportunity for some deserving members of our community and we can’t wait to hear the results.

The competition builds off the momentum from last year’s breakout success. The 2024 edition culminated in a high-octane, fan-curated concert at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, where artists like Brothers Osborne, Shaboozey, Priscilla Block, Tucker Wetmore, Muscadine Bloodline, The Castellows, and surprise guests like Mickey Guyton lit up the stage. One name that rose above the rest? Gary Frost, the New Jersey native whose win launched a wave of opportunity.

After recording at Red Bull Studios in L.A., Frost dropped a new single that quickly became his most streamed track yet. He went on to make his Whiskey Jam debut, play the BMI Key West Songwriter Festival, and stack up showcase after showcase this spring, living proof of what this competition can mean.

For Greg Hammer, the competition isn’t just about polished hooks, it’s about heart. “What sets the best songwriters apart is their ability to be authentic storytellers,” says Hammer. “They think less about trends and more about connecting with their audience. I’ll carry that into the competition, and I’m excited to help discover the next great hitmaker.”

Think you’ve got what it takes? Whether you’re writing from a college dorm, a hometown dive bar, or a quiet corner of Music City, this is your shot. Submit your song now at redbull.com/jukeboxsongwritingcontest.

The jukebox is ready. All it needs is your voice.