Outlaws & Legends Opens 2026 Texas Songwriter Competition in Abilene

If you’ve got original songs, Texas grit, and a dream of performing in front of thousands, saddle up because the Outlaws & Legends 2026 Songwriter Competition is officially open.

This is your shot to earn a spot on the biggest one-stage event in the entire state of Texas, and festival founder, Mark Powell, Big Country Beer Garden, and 92.5 The Ranch are here to help get the Big Country fired up about it!

Your Chance to Play “The Biggest 1-Stage Event in Texas”

To throw your hat in the ring, fill out the entry form on the Outlaws & Legends website and select the date you want to compete. A festival rep will email you within 24 hours with your time slot and all the details.

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Only 16 contestants per night will be accepted, so don’t wait because this thing fills up quicker than a Texas dancehall on a Saturday night.

READ MORE: Outlaws & Legends Lineup Features Cody Jinks & ZZ Top

Outlaws & Legends Opens 2026 Texas Songwriter Competition

Texas Preliminary Dates at Big Country Beer Garden (Abilene):

• Saturday, January 10: 7–11 PM
• Saturday, January 17: 7–11 PM
• Saturday, January 24: 7–11 PM

Each contestant may bring one side player, and you’ll perform two original songs at both prelims and finals.

How to Win

Bring your songs. Bring your skills. Bring your Texas crowd. Judges score you on:

• Song Quality
• Delivery
• Crowd Response: which means bring your friends, your fans, your cousins, your neighbors… this is Texas, after all.

Winners from each night move on to The Finals & Preview Party on January 31, 2026, also at Big Country Beer Garden.

What You Win

The grand-prize winner walks away with:

• A 30-minute full-band set on the Outlaws & Legends main stage (Saturday, March 21, 2026)
• Merch hut access to sell alongside major Texas artists
• VIP tickets for the band
• 10 general weekend festival passes for your fans

Ready to Take Your Shot, Texas?

Enter now and show the Big Country what you’ve got at the Outlaws & Legends website. Good luck, and hopefully we’ll be cheering you on LIVE at Outlaws & Legends Music Fest.