The Scoop on the Songwriting Competition

So, here’s the scoop on the songwriting competition, courtesy of “USA Today.” I’m guessing it will be announced during tonight’s show…

Amateur songwriters, 18 and up that have no exclusive publishing deals, can write and record songs and upload them at http://songwriter.americanidol.com/ until April 17th.

A team, headed by “Idol” guru Simon Fuller, will pick 20 songs from those submitted and let fans listen to them on the website. Then, starting May 2nd, they will have a week to vote for their favorite, but there will be only one online vote per fan.

Once a winner is picked, a producer will arrange and produce the song, which will be performed by the two finalists and become the “Idol” winner’s first single. The writer will receive a one-song standard deal with 19 Entertainment.

The original plan was to have a special with former Idols returning to sing the top 20 choices, but Iain Pirie of 19, says he’s 95 percent sure that won’t happen because of “Idol Gives Back”…