MUSIC PRIZE

TURNING OUR MUSIC SCENE “UP TO 11”

Music is a cornerstone of Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana history. From Leadbelly, Hank Williams Jr., and Elvis to Kix Brooks, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and The Residents, our community has been a platform for incredibly successful musicians since the beginning of broadcast radio. Music Prize continues that legacy by providing local and regional artists an opportunity to perform and grow through mentorship with industry professionals, fellowship with other musicians, and the cultivation of a market for live music.

The first-ever winner of Music Prize, AJ Haynes, subsequently started her band, Seratones, which was named as one of the top bands at SXSW 2019 by Rolling Stone Magazine. Our 2022 grand prize winner, The American Hotel System has since been signed by SONO/Universal Music Group with a new album coming in 2023.

Program Stats

• Over 300 musicians elevated

• 3 bands signed or represented.

• Grammy (Music Recording Academy) affiliation

• 35% minority winners

2022 STATS

• 11 bands, 2 nights of live music.

• Local and national acts attended and played Music Prize.

• Hosted second year of MPCon, a 2-day conference where experts meet with musicians to elevate their music careers.

From The Garage To Rolling Stone Magazine

Music is made to be heard, and there’s no better platform than Music Prize at Prize Fest. Our model of competition and mentorship provides musicians the opportunities to hone their sound and elevate to new heights. We want to see the musicians both within and without our community find success in their craft, and put Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana back on the map.

Mentorship With National Professionals

Just as important as playing music is an artist’s professional development. Any musician that wants to grow needs to understand the constantlyevolving music industry. We require all artists to attend a conference called MPCon which features industry professionals from across the country, to break them out of the garage and put them on a path to a career as a musician.

Rebuilding Our Region As A Music Powerhouse

This year, the Music Prize will continue our effortto rebuild Northwest Louisiana’s prestige as a place that changes the music industry and introduced new artists in the way the Louisiana Hayride introduced talents like Elvis to the world. Through our conference/ showcase model, we can reclaim the title as one of a place that discovers and elevates new music talent.