JAMBALOO Music Prize 2027
Terms & Conditions
The JAMBALOO Music Prize celebrates outstanding new albums from the previous year by artists in the Greater Dallas–Fort Worth music community. A panel of 15 judges and the public will help select the winner of the 2027 JAMBALOO Music Prize for Best New DFW Album. By submitting an album, artists agree to these terms and conditions.
1. Music Eligibility
- An eligible album must have been publicly released between January 1 and December 31, 2026.
- Only full-length albums are eligible. An album must contain at least seven songs and have a total runtime of at least 30 minutes.
- The album must be publicly available on Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, or Bandcamp when submitted.
- Reissues, remastered editions, compilations, live albums, and soundtracks are not eligible.
- Artists may submit more than one album if each meets the eligibility requirements.
Submissions close Monday, January 4, 2027. Albums released outside the 2026 calendar year are not eligible. Entries received after the deadline will not be accepted.
2. Geographic Eligibility
Solo artists must have lived in the Greater DFW Metro Area when the album was released. For bands, at least 50% of the credited members must have lived in the area at that time.
Artists under consideration as semifinalists must provide proof of residency upon request. Acceptable documentation may include a driver’s license, lease agreement, utility bill, or other documentation accepted by JAMBALOO. An artist who cannot verify eligibility may be disqualified.
For this prize, the Greater DFW Metro Area includes Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, and Tarrant counties.
3. How to Submit
Artists must complete the official form at jambaloo.live/prizesubmission and provide:
- Artist or band name
- Primary contact name, email address, and phone number
- Album title and release date
- A link to the album on Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, or Bandcamp
- Additional streaming links, if available
- Social media handles
- Recent performance information
- Any other relevant notes
There is no submission fee.
4. Judging and Selection
The judging panel consists of 15 music industry judges, including people with experience in music, media, and live events. Their identities will remain anonymous while judging is underway and will be revealed once judging is complete.
In the first round, the judges alone will evaluate the eligible albums and select 10 semifinalists. Artists under consideration will be contacted to confirm eligibility, verify residency, and discuss availability for the June 5 final.
The 10 semifinalists will be announced on Tuesday, February 23, 2027. Public voting will open that day and close on Saturday, March 20, 2027.
During the public voting period, all 15 judges will listen to the 10 semifinalist albums and score them again. These new judges’ scores will account for 60% of the final tally; public voting will account for 40%. The combined tally will determine both the three finalists and the Music Prize winner.
On Saturday, March 20, JAMBALOO will host a free semifinalist showcase at Deep Ellum Art Co., featuring as many of the 10 semifinalists as are available to perform. The three finalists will be announced live onstage at the showcase. The winner will remain confidential until the announcement at the Music Prize event on Saturday, June 5, at Longhorn Ballroom.
The headliner and full June 5 lineup will be announced on Tuesday, March 23, when tickets or RSVPs are expected to become available.
5. Semifinalist Show and Artist Commitments
We expect semifinalists to make every reasonable effort to perform at the March 20 showcase, but participation is not required to remain eligible for the prize. Each performing semifinalist act—whether a solo artist or a band—will receive one $600 performance fee.
Artists selected as finalists must be willing and available to perform at the June 5 Music Prize event at Longhorn Ballroom.
Semifinalists and finalists also agree to participate in a brief video interview, either in person or remotely, subject to reasonable scheduling. JAMBALOO will provide voting links and promotional graphics for artists to share. Semifinalists and finalists will be invited to a VIP reception, with one guest each.
6. Prize, Performance Fees, and Payment
- Music Prize winner: $20,000, the JAMBALOO Music Prize trophy, and the associated prize benefits. The $20,000 includes the winner’s June 5 performance; the winner does not receive a separate finalist performance fee.
- Other two finalists: $1,500 each for performing at the June 5 final.
- March 20 performers: One $600 fee per performing solo artist or band. This fee is separate from any prize money or June 5 performance fee an artist may later receive.
The associated prize benefits include studio time, a PR campaign, merchandise support, interviews, and other opportunities arranged by JAMBALOO. Semifinalists and finalists will receive promotional support, including record promotion at Josey Records. Additional benefits may be announced upon selection.
Where required for tax reporting, payment recipients must provide a completed W-9. Payments will be reported as required by law.
7. Promotion and Media Use
By submitting, artists give JAMBALOO permission to share their album links and use submitted photos, bios, album artwork, and related materials to promote the Music Prize and participating artists.
JAMBALOO may record, edit, and share interviews and footage from Music Prize events for its website, social channels, press outreach, and future JAMBALOO promotion. Artists also grant JAMBALOO limited future use of related images and media for those purposes.
The winner may use the official “JAMBALOO Music Prize Winner” designation and branding assets. The winner will be included in a post-event PR campaign and may be invited, but is not required, to participate in additional interviews.
8. Eligibility and Decisions
Artists must meet the eligibility requirements and provide requested verification. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. JAMBALOO’s decisions concerning eligibility, judging, voting, and administration of the prize are final.
9. Agreement
By submitting an album, artists confirm that they have read and agree to these terms and conditions.
