We don’t yet have the line-up Eurovision 2022. However, the roster for its US spinoff is complete. On Thursday, American Song Contest organisers published the list of 56 acts which will be competing in the inaugural event. They include veteran crooner Michael Bolton, “I Try” singer Macy Gray, “Thong Song” hitmaker Sisqó and singer-songwriter Jewel.

American Song Contest 2022: The Acts

  • Alabama: Ni/Co
  • Alaska: Jewel
  • American Samoa: Tenelle
  • Arizona: Las Marias
  • Arkansas: Kelsey Lamb
  • California: Sweet Taboo
  • Colorado: Riker Lynch
  • Connecticut: Michael Bolton
  • Delaware: Nitro Nitra
  • Florida: Ale Zabala
  • Georgia: Stela Cole
  • Guam: Jason J.
  • Hawaii: Bronson Varde
  • Idaho: Andrew Sheppard
  • Illinois: Justin Jesso
  • Indiana: UG skywalkin
  • Iowa: Alisabeth Von Presley
  • Kansas: Broderick Jones
  • Kentucky: Jordan Smith
  • Louisiana: Brittany Pfantz
  • Maine: King Kyote
  • Maryland: Sisqó
  • Massachusetts: Jared Lee
  • Michigan: Ada LeAnn
  • Minnesota: Yam Haus
  • Mississippi: Keyone Starr
  • Missouri: Brett Seper
  • Montana: Jonah Prill
  • Nebraska: Jocelyn
  • Nevada: The Crystal Method
  • New Hampshire: MARi
  • New Jersey: Brooke Alexx
  • New Mexico: Khalisol
  • New York: ENISA
  • North Carolina: John Morgan
  • North Dakota: Chloe Fredericks
  • Northern Mariana Islands: Sabyu
  • Ohio: Macy Gray
  • Oklahoma: AleXa
  • Oregon: courtship.
  • Pennsylvania: Bri Steves
  • Puerto Rico: Christian Pagán
  • Rhode Island: Hueston
  • South Carolina: Jesse LeProtti
  • South Dakota: Judd Hoos
  • Tennessee: Tyler Braden
  • Texas: Grant Knoche
  • U.S. Virgin Islands: Cruz Rock
  • Utah: Savannah Keyes
  • Vermont: Josh Panda
  • Virginia: Almira Zaky
  • Washington: Allen Stone
  • Washington, D.C.: NËITHER
  • West Virginia: Alexis Cunningham
  • Wisconsin: Jake’O
  • Wyoming: Ryan Charles

NBC has published an interactive map which provides details on all the acts.

American Song Contest 2022: Songs

Atlantic Records is acting as the exclusive music partner for the new competition. The label will release the competing songs in a series of weekly batches. The first lot of entries are due to land on Monday 21 March 21at 00:00 (midnight) ET / 21:00 PT — just a few hours before the first episode.

“Atlantic Records is thrilled to partner with NBC and all the artists competing on ‘American Song Contest,” says Atlantic Records President, West Coast Kevin Weaver. “As an innovative music label, we are always looking for new ways to discover and showcase talent, and American Song Contest is the perfect stage for America to see the best of the best from each state and territory. We are honoured to be working with NBC, all of the incredibly talented artists and the entire American Song Contest team”.

The American Song Contest will run for eight weeks. Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg will host.

What act are you most excited for? Let us know down below.

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Hu Hu Hu hurricane
Hu Hu Hu hurricane
2 years ago

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Last edited 2 years ago by Hu Hu Hu hurricane
Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
2 years ago

One of the things that attracted me to ESC back in the 70’s was the variety and diversity brought to the stage by different countries singing in different languages and styles, a lot of that has vanished now but every so often you can get a glimpse of it. I can’t see the American version being of any interest, sounds like one big snorefest.

Erik
Erik
2 years ago

So now, why does ESC go on for hours with several shows and 200-300 million people watching it? Because they started in small scale and built the brand by demand, adding countries because of the shows popularity. Imagine if Spotify existed everywhere in the world from scratch. They didn’t. The started by exclusive invites to build a hype. Then they added some Nordic counties where they could get the right licences. Continued in Europe, the US, Latin America, south east Asia etc. All the way to the world. American song contest will have too many heats. They should have started… Read more »

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago

You know something? I thought this contest was going to be extremely overloaded with has-beens, rejects and alumni from Idol/X-Factor/Voice/Star Search, and maybe a legend or two that we have not heard from in several decades.

I must say Björkman played his cards right; but now he must yield a better hand than all of those old shows if he wants to do this again. A bad beat in the end, and there will be no 2nd edition.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago

Bolton, Jewel, Sisqó, Gray and the Crystal Method, I know. But again, I expect that they could be wasted by the up-and-coming contenders…

…But one name rings a bell that I haven’t seen in over a decade: Allen Stone. There used to be a video show on VH1 called ‘SubSoul’, and his videos were on it. His videos are still at YouTube. He could be one of the big surprises from the not-so-well-known camp.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago

Indie artists with barely any publicity, I could see competing in this contest…

…Has-beens (5 of whom are very obvious here, with one going as far back as 1982), I’m not so sure, because we’ve seen how a few has-beens fared at Eurovision (Humperdinck, for one).

I think the has-beens will get wasted rather quickly, and a few of the unknowns and not-so-well-knowns will shine.

Jo.
Jo.
2 years ago

I’m rooting for the territories!

Isabella
Isabella
2 years ago

great, another American Idol only this time it’s for slightly famous people

Jason
Jason
2 years ago
Reply to  Isabella

I am so confused. My home state is represented by an artist who quite literally gets 500 views on her music videos. If you did an ounce of research you would realize a lot of these artists get a couple thousand views on their music. I wouldn’t call that “slightly famous.” Also, I don’t know why it’s a problem if an artist is established in the States. Especially, when a lot of Eurovision artists are either in the same boat as many of the artists in this competition or are already established and popular artists in their countries. I mean… Read more »

baili Atha gloo
baili Atha gloo
2 years ago
Reply to  Isabella

I agree with you so much, but I actually don’t know anyone there
Even though you know it I still cannot express my hate 🙁

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago

I was sceptical of ASC, but this lineup is serving.

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

I am very excited to experience how this new show will go. I am glad to see some well known names in here, and I am happy to discover new artists from the USA. For instance, I’ve been listening to Jewel for over 2 decades now, and she’s genuinely great. For those who like country-pop, she delivers quality. Michael Bolton, Macy Gray, and Sisqo are all big names with good track record behind them. The one thing I’m hoping is that the songs will be diverse in genre, and strong in composition. Good luck, USA! 🙂

American ESC FAN
American ESC FAN
2 years ago

As an American, I am very happy to see some familiar faces: Apart from Jewel (Alaska) Sisqo (MY HOMESTATE MARYLAND!!!!!!!!!!!), Ohio’s very own Macy Gray, and Michael Bolton (Connecticut), I am also interested in the following contestants: Las Marias (Arizona) have a solid base in Northern Mexico and Southwest of the US by singing Ranchero Music (Mexico’s equivalent to our country music). Hope they can get a song similar to Jenny Rivera’s. Ryker Lynch (Colorado) He’s an actor turned musician mostly known for being in Glee and in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. He came in 2nd Place with Dancing… Read more »

sam
sam
2 years ago

i went through some of the artists’ spotifys and the ones that sound interesting to me are ENISA (NY), alexis cunningham (WV), courtship. (OR), aleXa (OK), and brooke alexx (NJ)

as an american i’m glad the hate for the american song contest is finally dying down because i really think our country will appreciate this contest a lot!

Last edited 2 years ago by sam
Crystal
2 years ago

From what I’ve seen, even the newer artists have built a social media presence, but for some reason or another just haven’t become nationally known yet. They cast this contest pretty smartly, I think. I just hope the quality of the songs is as promising as the artists taking part. As for the bigger name artists, I think those have been cast pretty smartly as well. Most of them (maybe with the exception of Jewel, who is coming off of her Masked Singer win) are known here as more or less nostalgia acts, so it’s nice to see them getting… Read more »

ESCFanGA
ESCFanGA
2 years ago

I really hope this flops and I think it will. The only good thing about it is that it prevents America from competing at Eurovision. Also apart from Jewel and Michael Bolton the singers are all a bunch of nobodies.

Jason
Jason
2 years ago
Reply to  ESCFanGA

Every artist was a nobody before they were discovered….

yuhuane
2 years ago

My good friend AleXa is representing Oklahoma! She’s actually a K-Pop idol so this is going to be exciting to see if she does something similar to her K-Pop songs or something inspired her love for rock instead.

Valentino
Valentino
2 years ago

How are they choosing the artist for each state? Is it the record label who is doing it on its own or people in each state?

James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  Valentino

Casting calls were made over the summer so I guess many songwriters, labels, and artists put themselves forward. I believe it was made clear that the participants don’t have to necessarily be someone who was born in the state or territory but has a connection there in one way or another.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Valentino

The producers decide everything – the states don’t actually have any say.

Crystal
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Trying to arrange selections at the state level, given how many NBC affiliates there are out there would have been way too cumbersome anyway.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago

Jewel’s 03/04 album was one of my favourites when I was a lot younger. I probably listened to “Yes U Can” about five hundred times a day.

John Welsh
John Welsh
2 years ago

How exciting its a shame though that its so close to the actual Eurovision as it will probably prevent a lot of European journalists from fully covering it. Hopefully next year it will change. I’m definitely all for this 🙂

ESC8
ESC8
2 years ago

When I had heard for the 1st time that the American Song Contest project would go through, I immediately thought that maybe the winner of the ASC, would perform at the ESC. This year’s ESC final will consist of 25 countries, because the current winner Italy is a Big 5 country. So I was thinking that maybe they would want to fill this “gap” and as so let the USA participate in an Australia 2015 style, as a guest. However, the ASC final is on the 9th of May, so whoever wins, probably wouldn’t have enough time for rehearsals for… Read more »

James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  ESC8

I think a free trip to Italy and front-row seat in the final should be part of the ASC winner’s package although given COVID concerns, I’m not sure it’s doable at the moment.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Why?

I wish the American contest well, but I want the two contests to be separate things.

James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Perhaps, I worded it badly as I didn’t mean to say that as an actual thing but something of a suggestion as part of a winner’s package, like the equivalent of a winning country in Eurovision gaining hosting rights upon their victory.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  James

I’m just scared of giving the EBU even the slightest excuse to invite America into the contest… we saw how fast things changed for Australia between 2014 and 2015.

Crystal
2 years ago
Reply to  ESC8

As far as I know, Peacock (NBC’s streaming platform) will be live-streaming all three shows again this year. Last year’s shows were streamed (and are still available on-demand) on the free version of Peacock. From what I remember, the Premium version is only about $6 a month (which gives you more access to its library of programming and almost no ads). I haven’t heard if Peacock will be streaming this year’s shows on the free version yet. I imagine since they’ve been using Eurovision footage in the program promos for the ASC, they’ll probably be taking several opportunities to promote… Read more »

Apollo
Apollo
2 years ago

Nevada’s ‘The Crystal Method’ will be VERY interesting. We’ll probably have our first song without any lyrics, which will be cool.

Also, New York participating with an Albanian singer is amazing. Mirud (FiK) previously said he was contacted to represent NY, so I guess they had a vision of an Albanian artist representing them. They chose the more talented artist.

Plenty of Spanish language singers here. Thank god we have some diversity.

Joe
Joe
2 years ago
Reply to  Apollo

We do have a large Albanian-Kosovar community over here!

DarkSideStan
DarkSideStan
2 years ago
Reply to  Apollo

ENISA I’ve always wanted to see in ESC for Albania, cool to see her here

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago
Reply to  DarkSideStan

Or represent Montenegro, where her family is from. Albania and Kosovo have so many talented singers natively that it wouldn’t be fair for one of them to lose their “Albania” slot at ESC.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
2 years ago

‘I try’ is one of my go to songs when I need to brighten up so excited to see macy gray here!

Iván el Conquistador
Iván el Conquistador
2 years ago

Rooting for Jewel! She slayed when she competed as the Queen of Hearts in The Masked Singer.

Josh
Josh
2 years ago

And what about other american countries? USA Song Contest, not “American”.

James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  Josh

Most of the Americas will have a similar show of their own headed by Spain’s RTVE.

Luísa
Luísa
2 years ago
Reply to  James

only the hispano hablante countries I imagine…

Im so fab
Im so fab
2 years ago
Reply to  Luísa

Yes, which almost all the countries of North and South America minus Canada, USA and Brazil….. What’s your point?

James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  Im so fab

The US could, in theory take part in it as it has one of the largest number of Spanish speakers outside Spain.

Luísa
Luísa
2 years ago
Reply to  Im so fab

I’m just sad because I’m Brazilian my guy, and it’d be so fun to cheer for my country in a competition like this. Also, there’s the Guyanas and Suriname in SA too! this is non confrontational btw

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago
Reply to  Im so fab

Not even remotely. Ever heard of the Caribbean islands that don’t speak Spanish, or Belize, Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname?

Plenty of English creole, French creole, Dutch, French, and other languages spoken in the Americas besides just Brazil, Canada and USA.

James
James
2 years ago

How do we watch in the UK?

Chessguy99
2 years ago

Amazed at the number of genres represented. Something for everyone, even a cowboy rapper from Wyoming.

Pearli
Pearli
2 years ago

Jewel!!!!!!!
I still have Intuition on my playlist though the album was a flop. Anyway, so happy to see the country diva is back.

Héctor
Héctor
2 years ago

Is it me or there is too much pop and too much divas? I mean it is obvious it was going to be like this as it is what’s on the radio but I hoped for more diverse field. I see there’s going to be some urban and maybe some latino vibes from Florida and Arizona (?). Also I can tell by the artists that there is some rock too but rather focused on male-songwriter with a country, folk twist. To be honest, I’m missing a lot more indie, alternative music and… bands!! I’ve spotted, if I’m not wrong, just… Read more »

James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

The good thing is that many of these artists are influenced by a lot of overlapping genres. 🙂

Zisk
Zisk
2 years ago

Given Year 1 of anything always has teething pains, if this is the year 1 lineup, and the show goes well, I expect good things going forward.

ESCalator
ESCalator
2 years ago

This actually looks very promising!

I have a feeling the show’s format and production will look more like an American Idol/X Factor/Voice rather than the ESC. Nonetheless, it is still exciting.

Chessguy99
2 years ago
Reply to  ESCalator

I think this will be more like the better national finals than the singer competition shows. You won’t have the building a story as the weeks go on, like the singer shows. You have one shot to impress and get to the finals.

James
James
2 years ago

I wonder how the mechanics will work. Obviously, the show can’t air live across all timezones covering the country and its territories as places like Guam where it’d be morning/noon there. Likewise for voting. Would people be allowed to vote hours ahead of the show or will it be a combination of live in-show voting in the mainland and online voting at any given time in all American states and territories?

EurovisionFanGU
EurovisionFanGU
2 years ago
Reply to  James

This is exactly what I was hoping to find out (I’m from Guam).
For years, me & my mom have been watching the Eurovision live streams (and national selections too) usually at 5AM in our timezone. Being Americans in the Pacific, we would plan for the night like Superbowl fanatics stereotypically do but, always miss out on being able to vote. Now that our country is finally getting a similar show (thank you so much Sweden!), I’m hoping that we’ll be able to take part in the televote!

Last edited 2 years ago by EurovisionFanGU
Denis
Denis
2 years ago

Not American but aren’t shows like Idol and X-Factor live? Or Superbowl? How does that work?

James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  Denis

So basically, in the US mainland, shows airing on any of the major broadcast networks air first in two timezones, the East Coast and Central areas. The third one, the Pacific timezone, which covers practically all of the West Coast states would air them later about three hours later on delay. There’s another timezone sandwiched between Pacific and Western called “Mountain”, covering several states in the Rocky Mountain region and that’s a whole other thing in itself, as well as those in Hawaii/Alaska, and the Pacific and Caribbean territories. For live broadcasts, it depends on the profile of the show… Read more »

Crystal
2 years ago
Reply to  James

American Idol did have real-time voting last season, and I think it’s been in place since its first season on ABC. The way they conduct it, though, is not quite like Eurovision, though, as Idol opens up their voting at the beginning of the episode, which puts the people who perform at the end at a disadvantage in the voting. At least Eurovision televoting puts running order at an equal weight by waiting for all the acts to perform and then opens a short voting window.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Crystal

The EBU tried it the other way in 2010, I don’t think anyone liked it.

Lianne
Lianne
2 years ago

Sisqo man!!! I hope his song smashes like the thong song ?

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago
Reply to  Lianne

That wasn’t even his biggest solo hit in the U.S. The follow-up, “Incomplete”, turned out to be bigger here.

Ukraine stan
Ukraine stan
2 years ago

Let’s hope we’re getting more languages than English and Spanish, I was rooting for Hawai’i but looks like we’ll get a bilingual contest (Unless AleXa does something fun), still, seems promising

Last edited 2 years ago by Ukraine stan
David
David
2 years ago

It’s gonna be pretty exciting, let’s see what this delivers!!

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
2 years ago

I may need to check the famous ones’ discography to jolt my memory but kudos to the production for securing those names! Looking forward to the pleasant surprises from the up-and-coming acts as well.

daledale
daledale
2 years ago

macy grey featured on an australian compilation cd from 2005 good times <3

Tess
Tess
2 years ago

I’m rooting for Oklahoma lmao! I definitely didn’t expect to see a kpop idol representing them, but I’m excited!

Emelie
Emelie
2 years ago
Reply to  Tess

I’m super excited for her too. I’ve been following her since her debute.

James
James
2 years ago

Will Michael Bolton go the distance? We’ll see.

Efraim
Efraim
2 years ago
Reply to  James

I understood that reference.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Ah, Hercules. One of my favorite Disney movies.

Nils
Nils
2 years ago

I never expected that, but so far Björkman and NBC have done a great job.

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago

Sisqó is iconic! I bought his album when I was teenager, and I still have it! It’s collector.
Macy Gray exactly the same! Such great memories, so happy to see them bringing new songs! Maryland and Ohio let’s go!

Last edited 2 years ago by Esc addict
Poloser Garbagerina
2 years ago

i’m actually shocked by how promising this lineup is and by how most artists have ties with the state they’re representing. i was expecting a bunch of hasbeen bands and country singers, but this has turned out out into a competition that’s worth checking out !