Top 10 finalists compete in Hooked! Songwriting Contest this weekend

This Saturday is the final competition for the 2025 Hooked! Songwriting Contest. The top ten finalists will take the stage in front of a live audience and panel of celebrity judges to compete for a $1,000 cash prize.

The Hooked! Songwriting Contest began with songs of all styles and genres being submitted online by songwriters from throughout the USA. Those submissions were reviewed and the ten finalists were selected by a panel of all-star judges.

The finalists in this year's competition are The Armer Sisters (Green Forest, AR), Ellakate (Atlanta, GA), Seth Meene (Omaha, AR), Bre Henley (Branson, MO), Jeff Scott (Springdale, AR), Swofford (Branson, MO), Annie Williams (Humansville, MO), Landon Young (Merriam Woods, MO), alexeatsit (Maplewood, MO), and Alexis Shetley (Joplin, MO).

The competition allows these finalists the opportunity to perform on stage, get their music heard by both the audience and judges, and network with others in the music industry. They are also invited to participate in special workshops and events.

Celebrity judges for Saturday's event are David Orlando Cassavitis (Tony Orlando, Rick Springfield and more), Michael Cole (Pierce Arrow, Voices of Glory and America's Got Talent finalist), and last year's Hooked! contest winner Amy Geis.

The Hooked! Songwriting Contest, presented by Prince Ivan and The Nest, is set for Saturday, October 4, at 3 p.m., at the Pepsi Legends Theater, 1600 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson. Proceeds from this year's event benefit Tribute Park.

For tickets or more information, visit www.hookedsongwritingcontest.com or call 417-339-3003.