It’s time to submit your entries to the New Times Music Awards.
The competition is all about local music and is open to anyone in northern Santa Barbara County and SLO County who’s put out music in the last year. Locals can enter up to 10 original songs in five categories. Are you an acoustic folk or country singer? The country/American/folk category is the one for you. Other categories include R&B/blues, rock/alternative, hip-hop/reggae/worldbeat, and open—if you think your brand of jam doesn’t fit anywhere else.
Let’s not forget the songwriting competition or album of the year awards! There’s something for everyone here!
Submissions will be accepted starting Thursday, July 24, through Monday, Aug. 11, at 5 p.m. Each song or album entry costs $10.
Winners must be available to play the showcase on Friday, Nov. 21, in Rod & Hammer Rock in San Luis Obispo. The event starts at 7 p.m., and the winners will be competing for the annual Live Performance Newtie award. There, New Times Media Group will also present the Reader’s Choice and Local Legend awards and announce the winner of the annual Ernie Ball guitar raffle!
Visit newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo/ntmahome/page for more information, to see rules, and find entry forms. Email ntma@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Jul 24 – Aug 3, 2025.