Four days in Atlanta, November 12-15, with the 13th Annual Icon Awards, industry workshops, live radio showcases, and a Playlist Challenge that has until Friday for this week’s submissions
Writing Sessions America has released the lineup for the 13th Annual Unplugged Music Experience & Conference (UME 2026), set for November 12-15, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. The theme is “Old School Rules, New School Tools,” and the four days promise industry access, education, fellowship, live performance, and opportunity for songwriters, producers, publishers, music executives, sync professionals, and independent music entrepreneurs. The conference is led by Kevin Shine, Founder and CEO of Writing Sessions America, and features the 2026 Icon Awards.
The Playlist Challenge: Your Music, Live at UME
The WSA Playlist Challenge is a music-submission program designed to spotlight exceptional songs during the conference. It began August 15, and Writing Sessions America is inviting artists, songwriters, producers, and music creators to submit their strongest, conference-ready records for a chance to be featured.
How songs are selected
- The top 100 songs are chosen through Writing Sessions America member submissions, live radio listening sessions, and eligible registered UME 2026 attendees.
- On October 9, the field is narrowed to the final 50 songs.
- Finalists must be registered UME 2026 attendees or active Writing Sessions America members to receive featured conference consideration.
- Ten selected songs will be performed at the Kickoff Showcase on Thursday and ten more at the Closeout Showcase on Saturday.
Submission guidelines
- No AI-generated music
- No Splice, sample-pack, or uncleared sample-based submissions
- Radio-edited, clean versions only
- MP3 files only
- Send submissions to syncandmusicwsa2026@gmail.com
This Sunday’s listening session: The Playlist Challenge Listening Session with Writing Sessions America and Kevin Shine takes place Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM EST on Zoom. The submission deadline for the session is Friday, September 25, 2026, and artists should send 2 radio-edited, clean-version MP3s to the email above.
The UME 2026 Schedule
All programming, speakers, venues, and times are subject to change.
Thursday, November 12: UME Kickoff Party/Mixer
Atlantucky Brewing, 170 Northside Drive SW, Suite 96, Atlanta, GA 30313 | 6:00 PM-1:00 AM EST
- 6:00-7:00 PM: Welcome Address, hosted by Founder/CEO Kevin Shine
- 7:15-8:15 PM: Keynote Speaker Darrell “Delite” Allamby, Platinum Producer
- 8:30-10:30 PM: Live Radio Quality Control Listening Session, moderated by Timothy “Fontainn” Gayles
- 10:45-11:45 PM: Live Radio Kickoff Performance Showcase (10 selected songs from the Playlist Challenge)
Friday, November 13: Conference Programming
Rolling Out Magazine, 770 English Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | 10:00 AM-5:30 PM EST
- 10:00 AM-12:00 PM: The Music Indipreneur Workshop, “What’s a Loan Out Corporation in Music Business”
- 12:15-2:15 PM: “Panel and Pitch” Film & Television Workshop and Music Listening Session
- 2:30-3:45 PM: “Content vs. Copyright”: Making Money & Protecting Ownership Rights
- 4:00-5:00 PM: MLC Workshop, “Baby, I Got Your Money,” with Dae Bogan, Head of Third Party Partnerships
Friday, November 13: 13th Annual Icon Awards
Morehouse College, Ray Charles Performing Arts Center, 900 West End Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
- 7:00-8:00 PM: Red Carpet and Pre-Awards Ceremony (formal dress code)
- 8:00-10:30 PM: 13th Annual Icon Awards Ceremony
Saturday, November 14: Conference Programming
Rolling Out Magazine | 10:00 AM-7:45 PM EST
- 10:00 AM-12:00 PM: New Technology Workshop in Music & Business, “Old School Rules with New School Tools”
- 12:15-2:15 PM: Live Radio Quality Control Listening Session, moderated by Timothy “Fontainn” Gayles
- 2:30-3:45 PM: SheEO vs CEO Workshop with AmeliaisMore
- 4:00-5:30 PM: WSA Fireside Chat with Lila Haralson
- 5:45-7:15 PM: Hitmaker’s Academy: Successful Music Indipreneur & Hitmakers Forum
Saturday, November 14: UME Closeout Party/Mixer
Atlantucky Brewing | 7:00 PM-1:00 AM EST
- 8:00-9:30 PM: Film & Television Music “Panel and Pitch” Listening Session
- 9:40-11:00 PM: Live Radio Quality Control Listening Session, moderated by Timothy “Fontainn” Gayles
- 11:00 PM-12:30 AM: Live Radio Closeout Performance Showcase (10 selected songs from the Playlist Challenge)
Sunday, November 15: Closing Workshops
Venue to be announced | 12:00-3:00 PM EST
- 12:00-2:00 PM: Raheem “Kilo” Pugh (Making of MisEducation of Lauryn Hill Documentary)
- 2:00-3:00 PM: Kevin Shine, UME 2026 Closing Event
Register
For registration and information, email Wsaume2026biz@gmail.com or visit [insert UME 2026 registration link]. Follow #UME2026 and #SQUADUP2026 for updates.
Ford Entertainment Magazine will continue to cover UME 2026.
