London UK (January 8th, 2025) - Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) is inviting musicians and songwriters from across the globe to celebrate the centennial of Route 66 in a distinctly musical way.  The Route 66 Song Contest offers artists over the age of 18 the chance to submit an original track capturing the spirit of Santa Monica and its legendary connection to the highway for a chance to win $10,000 USD. Entries are welcome from the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, and New Zealand.

The contest launches amid a broader cultural moment in which audiences are once again drawn to the stories behind emerging talent, with the international attention surrounding Jessie J's recent comeback and talent show success, as well as a new wave of music-focused series on Netflix, including 'Building the Band' and Simon Cowell's 'The Next Act'.

Route 66, affectionately known as The Mother Road, stretches 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. Its endpoint is commemorated at the Santa Monica Pier, where visitors can snap a photo next to the honorary marker signalling the highway's final mile. Along the way, the road has inspired countless hits, from Nat King Cole's jazzy “Route 66” to Chuck Berry's rock 'n' roll classic “Sweet Little Sixteen”, capturing the romance of the open road and the thrill of cross-country adventure.

“The Santa Monica Route 66 Song Contest presents an opportunity for music lovers to be part of this historic anniversary by invoking their artistic imagination and sharing what the road's legacy and Santa Monica's connection means to them. The arts are core to Santa Monica's community and culture, and we're pleased to invite artists from around the world to join us in creatively honoring this milestone,” said Misti Kerns, President/CEO of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. “As part of the 100-year celebration, we look forward to welcoming visitors from around the globe to begin or end their Route 66 journey in our urban beach city.”

Across the U.S. and now internationally, road-trip culture is experiencing a renaissance, and UK travellers are taking notice. From a renewed love for scenic drives and classic motels to the resurgence of vinyl and retro Americana, the romance of hitting the open road has never been more appealing. Music has always been part of the journey from Route 66 anthems to modern tracks inspired by the freedom and adventure of the highway. The Route 66 Song Contest offers the chance for a new anthem to capture that enduring spirit of discovery and wanderlust.

The centennial festivities officially kick off with The Drive Home, a cross-country journey by America's Automotive Trust in partnership with the National Route 66 Centennial Commission. This trip started in Santa Monica on January 3, 2026, the road trip will travel the full length of the highway and culminate in an exhibition at the Detroit Auto Show. Visitors can also explore Route 66 stops along the way, including retro diners, neon-lit motels, and cultural landmarks that celebrate the enduring allure of the journey itself.

Visit santamonica.com for more information.

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About Santa Monica Travel & Tourism

Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures, tourism revenues and local employment opportunities through the promotion of Santa Monica as a travel destination. For more information 

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