THE ISSA AWARDS
JOIN US – August 22nd, 2026
Want to enter your music?
The 2026 International Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA) Awards nomination period opens on January 1 and closes at noon on March 30th. During this time, self-nomination forms will be available for artists who meet the eligibility criteria. To qualify, artists must have a dedicated website, at least five songs available on major platforms like iTunes or Spotify, and an engaged fan base. This fan support plays a key role in helping nominees advance to the finalist stage, with finalists being announced on April 2.
Throughout the month of April, from April 2 to April 30, fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite nominees. Only self-nominations will be accepted; radio stations, promoters, and ISSA representatives may not nominate artists and do not need to meet the artist-specific criteria.
After the fan voting period concludes at the end of April, the selection process will continue into May and throughout the summer. During this time, ISSA judges—comprised of Gold Level winners from the past two years—will review the finalists and select the winners. Those chosen will receive crystal awards at the official ISSA Awards ceremony held at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia in August.
The annual ISSA AWARDS show is held at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, right in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia (in the same venue where the Annual BMI Awards are also held) with a Pre-party the evening prior to the show at 5pm, and an After Party immediately following the show at the (Wild Wing Café, Alpharetta) just a thirty minute drive away.
This prestigious event features plush red-carpet entrance and gorgeous banners, complete with professional photographers, professional videographers and is the talk of the town with several local celebrities on the red-carpet conducting interviews with our finalists, which will be available for download for free.
With a full production crew to assist with anything you may need, from hotel reservations, concierge, airline travel for our international attendees, and more, the ISSA Team is always ready for our annual event! Ask away, we have answers!
You will be flying into Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, (the busiest airport in the world) which is a forty-five minute to an hour and a half drive, depending on our lovely traffic situation, from our centrally located venues. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination and enjoy the scenery with lots to do and see while you are in Atlanta.
Atlanta being a very large metropolitan city, houses the largest and busiest International Airport in the World and hosts a very eclectic realm of music genres, which is why our awards are based on you and your music, not the genres. You might want to consider staying a few days and taking in the city, and the music scene here. There are also some fabulous tours for first time visitors.
WE LOVE TO SEE YOU PERFORM LIVE!
PreParty and After Party is held at Wild Wing Cafe in Alpharetta, GA You will need separate tickets for each of those events. We will provide purchased armbands upon your arrival.
BE SEEN ON ISSA TV ON ROKU
The ISSA Awards is professionally recorded at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center (home to the BMI Awards) and will be uploaded to our ISSA TV Channel on ROKU!
THE ISSA PRE PARTY
August 21st, 2026
The Pre-Party takes place at The Wild Wing Cafe in Alpharetta, Georgia, right in the heart of Atlanta just minutes from the venue in Sandy Springs. The Pre-Party will have five bands performing from 5pm until 11pm. The address is 5530 Windward Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30004. Pre-purchased wristbands will be provided to members upon arrival to the event.
THE ISSA AWARDS SHOW
The Annual ISSA Awards Show is professionally filmed at the Byers Theater in the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, (Home of The BMI Awards) located at One Galambos Way, Sandy Springs GA 30328. This prestigious formal event will be recorded, Red Carpet interviews will begin at Noon with receiving lines and the ceremonies begin at 2:00 pm, ending at 5 pm. Professional photographers will be taking photographs for finalists with awards as well on our luxurious red carpet entrance.
Click here to see Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center website
With worldwide artists and members visiting from countless international countries to the show, and our organization growing to over seventeen thousand members globally, the ISSA Team is honored to host this event at the Byers Theater at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, which is also where the BMI Awards are held.
THE ISSA AFTER PARTY
August 22nd, 2026
The After Party takes place at The Wild Wing Cafe in Alpharetta, Georgia immediately following the show and will host a plethora of artists in a more intimate setting. The After Party could go on into the wee hours as we suspect that many ISSA members will enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and the fabulous food at this well established and favorite hangout. Pre-purchased wristbands will be provided to members upon arrival and tickets may be purchased at the link below.
We will be presenting our annual show here:
SANDY SPRINGS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Our Annual Awards show is most instrumental in the career advancement for our artists and members. The goal of this event is to promote and support the world’s best independent artists and since our organization is over 20,000+ strong worldwide, the ISSA has become a leading force in the industry to highlight the artists we represent each year.
THE ISSA SUMMIT
THE ISSA SUMMIT 2026
Learn the Business. Build the Career.
ATLANTA
Join us in Atlanta for the ISSA Summit 2026, a two-day educational and networking experience held Thursday and Friday before the ISSA Awards Show, leading into Saturday, August 22, 2026.
Created for independent artists, songwriters, and music professionals, the ISSA Summit brings together keynote speakers, industry experts, and working professionals to share real-world knowledge, actionable strategies, and meaningful connections.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Keynote Speakers
- Breakout Workshops
- Songwriting Rounds
- Industry Panels
- Music Business Education
- Networking Opportunities
- Industry Vendors & Resources
- Swag Bags
EVENT DETAILS
Dates: Thursday & Friday prior to the ISSA Awards
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Schedule:
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
ADMISSION
FREE TO ATTEND
(Open to ISSA members and registered participants
For Finalists who wish to take advantage of our ISSA ROOM BLOCK at the Marriott Courtyard Perimeter Center, which is very close to our venue, you may send us an email to issasongwriters@gmail.com with your show ticket receipt to receive a deep discount on your hotel stay while in Atlanta.
Since our Gold Level Winners may not resubmit nominations for two years after their win, this allows for all kinds of surprises in that it gives other newer and previous members a chance to step up the ranks and take home a Gold. For the two years following their win, Gold Winners receive FREE admission to the following two years shows, they will become JUDGES, and they may present an award and perform if there is an availability.
The 2024 and 2025 ISSA Gold Winners that receive FREE ADMISSION, and that will be judging and some that may be presenting as well as performing at the 2026 Awards are as follows:
AARON HYMES
ALAN GARMONSWAY
ALAN SWEENEY
AMARU
AMY JO
AMY ROWBOTTOM
ANDREW CHAPPELL
ANGELA MCGOWAN
ANDREW MOORE & HOOCH
ANGEL O’CASIO, JR.
ANGELA EASLEY
ANGIE MCCONNELL
BAILEY PERRIE
BERNICE MARSALA
BLACKTOP GYPZ
BRENDAN MCMAHON
BRAUNINGER MCDANIEL
BRENT MCATHEY
BRIAN GALLAGHER
BROOKE BUTLER
BRUCE COUGHLAN
CAITLIN MAE
CAROLINE PARKE
CHAD RIVETTE
CHERYL NYE
CONSTANTINE OIKONOMOPOULOS
DERRICK DOVE
DIMITRIS NEZIS
DUSTY LEIGH
ELEYET MCCONNELL
ELLEKATE
EMILY JUDSON
ERIC LUNDQUIST
EWELINA BORKOWSKA
FRANK BLAIR
FRANK HAMMER
HEERRAA
JARED DAWS
JASON COLE
JASON RAY WELSH
JENNIFER ÉMARD
JENNIFER MLOTT
JOHANNA ST. PIERRE
JOSHUA PARKER
JULIE HARPER
KAYDEN GORDON
KEZIA ALFORD
LARK
LAWRENCE HANCOCK
LIMBERLOST
MADISON MUELLER
MATTHEW ADAM
MISSION ROAD
PAUL JUPE
PEPPER BROOKS
RACHEL LINCOLN
RAY BURGESS
RITCHIE DAVE PORTER
ROWDY’S ROSE
S.J. JANANIY
SAMANTHA GRIMES
SISTERS J
SIVLE
STILLWATER JUNCTION
STONE POETS
SYDNEY IRVING
TRENTON CHANDLER
WINACHI
ZAK WEBB
ISSA is a free platform to singer songwriters and musicians worldwide. There will never be a fee to join. Our organization prides itself in providing year round visibility for our members across various and vast social media platforms. Free promotion, free support, free management tools and much more. Countless hours are spent making sure that ISSA is prominent in all realms of internet promotional sites, with music industry resources and in coordinating day to day communication, support and promotion with our artists and members.
“As one of the most respected international music organizations, ISSA has earned a reputation for setting the bar in the independent music industry. Recognized by industry veterans and insiders alike, our prestigious platform brings unmatched legitimacy to artists serious about their craft. Winning one of our iconic crystal awards isn’t just an accolade—it’s an endorsement from a globally credible institution that stands behind true talent. With ISSA, your artistic reputation gains not just visibility but the unwavering credibility that transcends borders.” – Tamanie Dove
CITY SPRINGS BOX OFFICE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR STOLEN TICKETS