Narrow Road Records Presents
The Nashville Album Sessions
An Elite Live Competition to Voice a Fully Produced 11-Track Studio Album
The Project
We are an independent music publishing and production house launching a premier vocal competition in Nashville, TN.
We are searching for the definitive lead vocalist to perform, record, and voice a fully written, 11-track studio album. The album will be tracked and produced right here in Nashville using top-tier session musicians. All lyrics, structural melodies, and concepts are locked — we just need the ultimate voice to bring these tracks to life.
Qualifications
Eligibility & Requirements
Before applying, please ensure you meet the following industry criteria:
This competition is a casting call for a specific artistic project targeted at a defined demographic market. Eligibility is limited to individuals aged 18 to 25 to fulfill specific creative and marketing parameters of the album release.
Unsigned Status
Applicants must be completely independent and free of any exclusive recording, music publishing, or management agreements that would conflict with signing a commercial studio contract with our company.
Age
Must be between 18 and 25 years of age at the time of the submission.
Availability
Must be able to travel to Nashville, TN for the live finals and subsequent studio recording sessions, and be contractually willing to participate in a 1-year promotional cycle.
The Audition
Open NowPhase 1: Remote Video Audition
To protect our unreleased material, initial auditions will consist of a cover song of your choice.
The Task
Record a raw, unedited smartphone video of you performing a 60–90 second vocal cover of any song that highlights your range, emotional storytelling, and control.
What We are Looking For
We are seeking a versatile vocalist who can capture the soul, authenticity, and narrative depth of modern roots and streaming country. We love authentic storytelling, conversational restraint (in the vein of Vincent Mason's "What You Want"), and natural phrasing blended with raw vocals reminiscent of artists like Ty Myers and Hudson Westbrook. The upcoming 11-track album has a touch of a modern indie edge, so we need an artist who can seamlessly transition between intimate, effortless verses and texturized, gritty delivery.
The Format
Acoustic (accompanied by guitar/piano) or acapella only.
Strict Policy
No studio tracks, no autotune, and no pitch-correction software. We want to hear your real, raw voice.
How to Share
Upload your video to YouTube (set as "Unlisted"). Paste the streaming link into our submission form below.
“Please Note: Raw video files attached directly to emails will not be reviewed or considered.”
The Finals
Nashville, TNPhase 2: The Live Finals
The Selection
Our creative team will select an elite group of finalists from the Phase 1 video submissions.
The Music Handoff
Finalists will be required to sign a digital Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Once signed, you will be sent the lyrics, core chord charts and a professional instrumental blueprint for one of the original tracks from the 11-track album.
Performance & Interpretation
Finalists are welcome to perform the lead single exactly as arranged in our original studio blueprint. However, if you choose to bring your own creative interpretation, style, or acoustic arrangement to the track, we fully welcome your artistic spin. Our primary goal is to find the voice that connects best with the soul of the song.
The Live Contest
Finalists will travel to Nashville to compete in a live singing showcase at a premier Nashville establishment. You will perform your live cover interpretation of our original track in front of a live audience and a panel of industry judges.
The Prize
The Grand Prize & Career Development Contract
The winning vocalist of the live showcase will secure an official studio contract with Narrow Road Records to voice the full 11-track commercial album. The winning artist is 100% financially insulated and bears absolutely zero responsibility for any production, recording, or marketing costs.
The grand prize package includes:
Financial Compensation
A $1,500.00 flat fee paid out over three production milestones.
Streaming Revenue Participation
An official 10% royalty split on the Master Sound Recording streaming revenue via automatic distributor payouts, giving you a direct financial stake in the album's success with zero out-of-pocket overhead.
Fully Funded Studio Tracking
All elite Nashville studio rental fees, professional mixing/mastering engineers, and top-tier session musicians are paid entirely by Narrow Road Records.
Potential Media Production & Cinematic Shoots
At Narrow Road Record's discretion, production may include fully funded multi-platform music videos and official artist photoshoots.
Festival & Tour Submissions
Direct backing and strategic submission campaigns targeting major music festivals and live performance showcases.
1-Year Promotional Launch
A fully supported, 12-month promotional cycle following the album's release, ensuring the artist's voice is pushed to global streaming, press, and live music networks.
“The winner must be available and contractually willing to fully participate in all music video shoots, media appearances, content creation, and live promotional performances for up to one year post-release.”
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before submitting your audition.
Ready to Step Up?
Submit below. We review every submission personally.
Submission window closes when the role is filled.