“There’s so many different pockets of music to all the different states,” host Kelly Clarkson told Parade.com. “What I thought was really cool, looking at the list of artists, was what you think may be represented in a certain state is actually a completely different genre of music that you maybe didn’t expect. This show is going to open up all of this conversation and all of this diversity. We’ve been divided in this country for quite a bit because people have their preconceived notions of who is from where. And that’s just not true anymore, especially in such a digital age. We are all very similar more than not. But, also, we do represent different cultures, which is going to be cool.” Here is what we know so far:
When does American Song Contest premiere?
American Song Contest will premiere Monday, March 21, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
How many episodes of American Song Contest will there be?
American Song Contest will run for eight weeks with the Grand Final scheduled for May 9. The Qualifying Rounds will have 11 acts in each episode (with one week featuring 12). Twenty-two artists will perform in the two-part Semi-Finals with the Top 10 performing in the Grand Final, where a winner will be crowned.
Who are the hosts of American Song Contest?
The Voice judge Kelly Clarkson will be joined by Snoop Dogg, who was last season’s Mega Mentor on The Voice, so these two already have a great working relationship. “I am honored to host American Song Contest alongside my lil sis Kelly Clarkson, aka Miss Texas,” Snoop said when he was revealed as the co-host of the new NBC reality series. His co-host added, “I have been a fan and love the concept of Eurovision and am thrilled to bring the musical phenomenon to America. I’m so excited to work with Snoop and can’t wait to see every state and territory represented by artists singing their own songs.”
Who are the finalists for American Song Contest?
Week One:
Washington: Allen StoneOklahoma: AleXa Kentucky: Jordan Smith Colorado: Riker Lynch Alabama: Ni/Co
Week Two
Tennessee: Tyler Braden
Who are the semifinalists for American Song Contest?
Week One:
Rhode Island: Hueston Puerto Rico: Christian Pagán Connecticut: Michael Bolton Oklahoma: AleXa
Week Two:
Kentucky: Jordan Smith North Dakota: Chloe Fredericks Kansas: Broderick Jones Montana: Jonah Prill
Week Three:
Tennessee: Tyler Braden Colorado: Riker Lynch Alabama: Ni/Co Texas: Grant Knoche
Week Four:
Washington: Allen Stone Massachusetts: Jared Lee Georgia: Stela Cole New Hampshire: MARi
Week Five:
Michigan: Ada LeAnn
What is the format for American Song Contest?
An incredible solo artist, duo, DJ or band will represent each location and will perform a new, original song, celebrating the different styles and genres across America. The live competition consists of three rounds as the acts compete in a series of Qualifying Rounds, followed by the Semi Finals and the ultimate Grand Final where one state or territory will emerge victorious.
Which artists will be on American Song Contest?
Alabama: Ni/Co Alaska: JewelAmerican Samoa: TenelleArizona: Las MariasArkansas: Kelsey LambCalifornia: Sweet TabooColorado: Riker LynchConnecticut: Michael BoltonDelaware: Nitro NitraFlorida: Ale ZabalaGeorgia: Stela ColeGuam: Jason J.Hawaii: Bronson VardeIdaho: Andrew SheppardIllinois: Justin JessoIndiana: UG skywalkinIowa: Alisabeth Von PresleyKansas: Broderick JonesKentucky: Jordan SmithLouisiana: Brittany PfantzMaine: King KyoteMaryland: SisqóMassachusetts: Jared LeeMichigan: Ada LeAnnMinnesota: Yam HausMississippi: Keyone StarrMissouri: Brett SeperMontana: Jonah PrillNebraska: JocelynNevada:The Crystal MethodNew Hampshire: MARiNew Jersey: Brooke AlexxNew Mexico: KhalisolNew York: ENISANorth Carolina: John MorganNorth Dakota: Chloe FredericksNorthern Mariana Islands: SabyuOhio: Macy GrayOklahoma: AleXaOregon: courtship.Pennsylvania: Bri StevesPuerto Rico: Christian PagánRhode Island: HuestonSouth Carolina: Jesse LeProttiSouth Dakota: Judd HoosTennessee: Tyler BradenTexas: Grant KnocheU.S. Virgin Islands: Cruz RockUtah: Savannah KeyesVermont: Josh PandaVirginia: Almira ZakyWashington: Allen StoneWashington, D.C.: NËITHERWest Virginia: Alexis CunninghamWisconsin: Jake’OWyoming: Ryan Charles
To learn more about each artist, visit this interactive map: https://www.nbc.com/americansongcontestmap
Meet the jury for American Song Contest
The highly decorated 56-person jury, one representing each state/territory, is comprised of music industry executives, songwriters, radio programmers from various genres as well as A-list managers and members of the Recording Academy. The jury will evaluate each artist’s performance based on artistic expression, hit potential, originality, and visual impression.
Alabama
Amber Parker, Program Director, WTXT Tuscaloosa, iHeartMedia
Alaska
Quinn Christopherson, Artist
American Samoa
Joseph Fa’avae, Founder, Island Block Network
Arizona
Double-L, Music Director / On-Air Personality, KNIX Phoenix, iHeartMedia
Arkansas
Kevin Mercer, Program Director, KHKN Little Rock, iHeartMedia
California
Dan McCarroll, Former President of Capital Records and WB Records
Colorado
Isaac Slade, Former Member of The Fray
Connecticut
Jaime Levine, CEO, Seven Mantels, Artist Manager
Delaware
Christa Cooper, On-Air Personality / Assistant Program Director, WDSD Wilmington, iHeartMedia
Florida
Jose Tillan, Director/Producer - The POPGarage
Georgia
Jennifer Goicoechea, SVP A&R Sony Music, EPIC
Guam
Heidi Chargualaf Quenga, Executive Director, CHamorro Cultural Advisor
Hawaii
Eric Daniels, Keyboardist/Arranger, “The Voice”
Idaho
Shari Short, Singer/Songwriter/Producer
Illinois
Mike Knobloch, President, Music and Publishing, NBCUniversal
Indiana
Nancy Yearing, Talent Development
Iowa
Taylor J., Program Director / On-Air Personality KKDM Des Moines, iHeartMedia
Kansas
Michelle Buckles, Program Director, KZCH Wichita, iHeartMedia
Kentucky
Ashley Wilson, Director of Country Programming, Kentucky/Indiana, iHeartMedia
Louisiana
Uptown Angela, Executive Vice President of Programming, Format Lead Custom R&B/Gospel, iHeartMedia
Maine
Lauren Wayne, General Manger / Talent Buyer, State Theater
Maryland
Caron Veazey, Founder & CEO, Something In Common
Massachusetts
Jamie Cerreta, EVP Hipgnosis Songs Group
Michigan
Shahida Mausi, CEO The Right Productions, Inc./Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre
Minnesota
Barry Lather, Creative Director / Choreographer / Producer
Mississippi
Joe King the Big Daddy, Program Director, WZLD Hattiesburg, iHeartMedia
Missouri
Tommy Austin, SVP Programming, iHeartMedia
Montana
Stephanie Davis, Singer-Songwriter
Nebraska
Hoss Michaels, Program Director, KXKT Omaha, iHeartMedia
Nevada
Jim Vellutato, CEO, Arrival Music
New Hampshire
Charlie Singer, Music Television Producer / Executive Producer
New Jersey
Matt Pinfield, Nationally Syndicated Radio Host / A&R Consultant
New Mexico
Tony Manero, SVP Programming Southwest, iHeartMedia
New York
Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer & President, iHeartMedia
North Carolina
Paul Schadt, On-Air Personality, WKKT Charlotte, iHeartMedia
North Dakota
Allison Bostow, Program Director / On-Air Personality, KIZZ Minot, iHeartMedia
Northern Mariana Islands
Galvin Deleon Guerrero, President Northern Marianas College / Radio DJ
Ohio
Khirye Tyler, Songwriter / Producer / Musical Director
Oklahoma
Ester Dean, “The Song Machine”
Oregon
Mark Hamilton, Program Director / On-Air Personality, Portland Audacy
Pennsylvania
Ty Stiklorius, Founder & CEO of Friends at Work
Puerto Rico
Carlos Perez, Creative Director
Rhode Island
Kristin Lessard, On-Air Personality, WSNE Providence, iHeartMedia
South Carolina
Miss Monique, On-Air Personality / Program Director, WXBT Columbia, iHeartMedia
South Dakota
Jered Johnson, President / CEO, Pepper Entertainment
Tennessee
Brian Phillips, Executive VP, Content and Audience, Cumulus Media
Texas
Natural, Music Producer
U.S. Virgin Islands
Ajanie Williams, Music Producer & Author
Utah
Jeff McCartney, SVP Programming, Salt Lake City, iHeartMedia
Vermont
Lee Chesnut, A&R Consultant
Virginia
Justin Derrico, Musician
Washington
Zann Fredlund, On-Air Personality / Music Director & Assistant Program Director, KBKS Seattle, iHeartMedia
Washington, D.C.
Dustin Matthews, Director of Rock Programing, Washington, DC, iHeartMedia
West Virginia
Judy Eaton, Program Director, WTCR Huntington, iHeartMedia
Wisconsin
Shanna “Quinn” Cudeck, Program Director / On-Air Personality, WMIL Milwaukee, iHeartMedia
Wyoming
Ian Munsick, Warner Music Recording Artist Who did the jury pick on American Song Contest? Week 1: Hueston, Rhode Island, “Held on Too Long” Week 2: Jordan Smith, Kentucky, “Sparrow”
What is the prize for winning American Song Contest?
The prize has yet to be revealed.
How to vote on American Song Contest
Fans at home can vote for their favorite performances onnbc.com/ascvote,the NBC App and on TikTok. Voting for the Qualifiers will open Mondays and will close Wednesday morning.
How are votes counted on American Song Contest?
American Song Contest will follow a point system in which every state and territory votes with equal power, regardless of population. A combination of public and jury votes will decide who will advance in the competition. “Everybody competes on equal terms,” says executive producer Anders Lenhoff, who comes to American Song Contest from Eurovision. “So, it means that every single state has its own equal voting power. That goes with the territories, too. Whoever wins the popular vote in California gets 12 points, but whoever wins the popular vote in Guam also gets 12 points. So, to win this competition, you need to find support in as many states and territories as possible. You need to find a broad base.” And Clarkson feels it’s about the song that touches you. She adds, “People are going to end up going, ‘Man, I love my Texas person, but that girl from North Dakota, like, whoa. That was an amazing song. I’ve got to give my support to her.’ I think that that ends up happening in the end.”
Will high‑profile contestants such as Jewel or Michael Bolton have an unfair advantage with viewers because of their celebrity status?
“We’ve done a lot of thinking about that, and at the end of the day, where we’ve landed and I firmly believe is the truth, what is playing out over this show is the actual music business,” says executive producer Audrey Morrisey. “All of these up‑and‑coming stars are competing with the Jewels and the Michael Boltons and the Macy Grays and everybody. It is what it is. You can’t undo people’s experience and their profile when you are trying to come up. So, what we are doing is giving everybody an even playing field on a platform and to make of it what they can, and everybody is being given the same support. Michael Bolton and Jewel have more of a profile, I’m sure, with some groups of the American public but not all. I would also add that Americans love to discover new people, new musicians, new songs, new everything, and they also love an underdog.” “I’ve produced the Swedish selection show for 20 years, and I’ve seen it all,” says executive producer Christer Björkman. “I’ve seen stars win. I’ve seen stars fall. I’ve seen new stars being born, lots of them. And the thing is this show is all about the song. It doesn’t matter how famous you are or how not known you are. If you come across with your song, you win, and you just have to be trustworthy. You just have to be passionate about what you do. You have to deliver your goods. You have 2 minutes and 45 seconds. That’s all you have. You have to be there in that moment, and that’s all you need. Famous or not famous, it doesn’t matter.”
What was the origin of American Song Contest?
American Song Contest was developed from the European version, Eurovision Song Contest, which has been organized for 65 years by the European Broadcasting Union and watched by 200 million viewers annually. In Europe, the musical spectacular combines the competitive spirit of rooting for your favorite sports team with the joy of watching a beloved singing performance.
What channel is American Song Contest on?
American Song Contest will air on NBC.
What time is American Song Contest on?
American Song Contest will air on at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
What night is American Song Contest on?
American Song Contest will air on Monday nights on NBC for eight weeks.
How to stream American Song Contest on TV and online
You can stream episodes of American Song Contest the next day on NBC.com, the NBC App, Peacock and Hulu. Next, Summer Fun! Everything You Need To Know About America’s Got Talent Season 17
