The state of Louisiana has declared 2010 “The Year of the Song,” and in honor of that, the New Orleans Songwriters Festival is now taking submissions for the “Louisiana Year of the Song 2010 Song Contest.”

The festival will celebrate its third year when it takes place November 10-13 this year, and all winners will be announced at its yearly opening night open mic.  The grand prize is a two-day writing session with New Orleans’ songwriter Jim McCormick. McCormick has worked as a staff songwriter for Warner Chappell Music and Generator Music, and his songs have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Randy Travis, Ronnie Milsap and Luke Bryan. One song from the writing session will be demo’ed by the Beaird Music Group in Nashville. All entrants will get a one-day pass to the New Orleans Songwriters Festival.

For information on how to enter, go to NOSongFest.com or SonicBids.com. For additional information on the contest and the festival, go to the festival’s Web site.