Indianapolis-based hip-hop artist representing Indiana in 'American Song Contest'

INDIANAPOLIS — A new music competition featuring live performances from artists hailing from all 50 states premieres Monday night and Indiana's own UG Skywalkin will be in the first episode. 

"American Song Contest," which premieres Monday, March 21 at 8 p.m. ET, will feature live music performances — representing all 50 states, five U.S. territories and the nation's capital — competing to win the country's vote for the best hit song.

Meet UG Skywalkin, the man representing the Hoosier state:

Josh Kimbowa, also known as UG Skywalkin, is a hip-hop artist and songwriter representing Indianapolis, Indiana.

On Monday night he'll be performing his original song, "Love in My City."

"What I'm going to bring to this stage is excitement, is energy, is swag. UG Skywalkin on stage is a whole other person," he said. 

UG stands for Uganda, where he's originally from. He was a missionary kid who traveled the world until his family landed in Indiana — a state he said he's proud to call home.

Over the last decade, he's toured with 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J. Although described as a hip-hop artist, Kimbowa saidhe makes a variety of music. 

"I make afro, I make hip-hop, pop, some country mixes. It's a gumbo mix," Kimbowa said.

On Monday night, he'll need your vote, plus the votes of a jury of music industry experts from across the country, but we'll get to that later. 

First, meet the 11 artists performing Monday night:

• Arkansas: Kelsey Lamb
• Connecticut: Michael Bolton
• Indiana: UG Skywalkin
• Iowa: Alisabeth Von Presley
• Minnesota: Yam Haus
• Mississippi: Keyone Starr
• Oklahoma: AleXa
• Puerto Rico: Christian Pagan
• Rhode Island: Hueston
• Wisconsin: Jake'O
• Wyoming: Ryan Charles

Here's how the competition works:

Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg will host the eight-week series, with the finale set to air Monday, May 9.

The 56 acts (solo artist, duo or band) will perform a new original song, celebrating the depth and variety of different styles and genres across America.

Based on "Eurovision Song Contest," the live competition will consist of three rounds: qualifying, semifinals and grand final, where one state or territory will emerge victorious.

The artists will be competing for the title of Best Original Song. All the Artists will be singing their own music, and viewers at home — plus a jury of music-industry experts — help crown the winner.  

So who's on this jury? According to NBC, it's a lineup of industry executives, songwriters, radio programmers and even members of the Recording Academy. They'll evaluate the artists on their performances, artistic expression, originality, and the hit potential of their songs.

Like the contestants, there are 56 jurors representing each of the 50 states, five U.S. territories and the nation's capital.

1. Alabama – Amber Parker, Program Director, WTXT Tuscaloosa, iHeartMedia
2. Alaska – Quinn Christopherson, Artist
3. American Samoa – Joseph Fa’avae, Founder, Island Block Network
4. Arizona – Double-L, Music Director / On-Air Personality, KNIX Phoenix, iHeartMedia
5. Arkansas – Kevin Mercer, Program Director, KHKN Little Rock, iHeartMedia
6. California – Dan McCarroll, Former President of Capital Records and WB Records
7. Colorado – Isaac Slade, Former Member of The Fray
8. Connecticut – Jaime Levine, CEO, Seven Mantels, Artist Manager
9. Delaware – Christa Cooper, On-Air Personality / Assistant Program Director, WDSD Wilmington, iHeartMedia
10. Florida – Jose Tillan, Director/Producer – The POPGarage
11. Georgia – Jennifer Goicoechea, SVP A&R Sony Music, EPIC
12. Guam – Heidi Chargualaf Quenga, Executive Director, CHamorro Cultural Advisor
13. Hawaii – Eric Daniels, Keyboardist/Arranger, “The Voice”
14. Idaho – Shari Short, Singer/Songwriter/Producer
15. Illinois – Mike Knobloch, President, Music and Publishing, NBCUniversal
16. Indiana – Nancy Yearing, Talent Development
17. Iowa – Taylor J., Program Director / On-Air Personality KKDM Des Moines, iHeartMedia
18. Kansas – Michelle Buckles, Program Director, KZCH Wichita, iHeartMedia
19. Kentucky – Ashley Wilson, Director of Country Programming, Kentucky/Indiana, iHeartMedia
20. Louisiana – Uptown Angela, Executive Vice President of Programming, Format Lead Custom R&B/Gospel, iHeartMedia
21. Maine – Lauren Wayne, General Manger / Talent Buyer, State Theater
22. Maryland – Caron Veazey, Founder & CEO, Something In Common
23. Massachusetts – Jamie Cerreta, EVP Hipgnosis Songs Group
24. Michigan – Shahida Mausi, CEO The Right Productions, Inc./Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre
25. Minnesota – Barry Lather, Creative Director / Choreographer / Producer
26. Mississippi – Joe King the Big Daddy, Program Director, WZLD Hattiesburg, iHeartMedia
27. Missouri – Tommy Austin, SVP Programming, iHeartMedia
28. Montana – Stephanie Davis, Singer-Songwriter
29. Nebraska – Hoss Michaels, Program Director, KXKT Omaha, iHeartMedia
30. Nevada – Jim Vellutato, CEO, Arrival Music
31. New Hampshire – Charlie Singer, Music Television Producer / Executive Producer
32. New Jersey – Matt Pinfield, Nationally Syndicated Radio Host / A&R Consultant
33. New Mexico – Tony Manero, SVP Programming Southwest, iHeartMedia
34. New York – Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer & President, iHeartMedia
35. North Carolina – Paul Schadt, On-Air Personality, WKKT Charlotte, iHeartMedia
36. North Dakota – Allison Bostow, Program Director / On-Air Personality, KIZZ Minot, iHeartMedia
37. Northern Mariana Islands – Galvin Deleon Guerrero, President Northern Marianas College / Radio DJ
38. Ohio – Khirye Tyler, Songwriter / Producer / Musical Director
39. Oklahoma – Ester Dean, “The Song Machine”
40. Oregon – Mark Hamilton, Program Director / On-Air Personality, Portland Audacy
41. Pennsylvania – Ty Stiklorius, Founder & CEO of Friends at Work
42. Puerto Rico – Carlos Perez, Creative Director
43. Rhode Island – Kristin Lessard, On-Air Personality, WSNE Providence, iHeartMedia
44. South Carolina – Miss Monique, On-Air Personality / Program Director, WXBT Columbia, iHeartMedia
45. South Dakota – Jered Johnson, President / CEO, Pepper Entertainment
46. Tennessee – Brian Phillips, Executive VP, Content and Audience, Cumulus Media
47. Texas – Natural, Music Producer
48. U.S. Virgin Islands – Ajanie Williams, Music Producer & Author
49. Utah – Jeff McCartney, SVP Programming, Salt Lake City, iHeartMedia
50. Vermont – Lee Chesnut, A&R Consultant
51. Virginia – Justin Derrico, Musician
52. Washington – Zann Fredlund, On-Air Personality / Music Director & Assistant Program Director, KBKS Seattle, iHeartMedia
53. Washington, D.C. – Dustin Matthews, Director of Rock Programing, Washington, DC, iHeartMedia
54. West Virginia – Judy Eaton, Program Director, WTCR Huntington, iHeartMedia
55. Wisconsin – Shanna “Quinn” Cudeck, Program Director / On-Air Personality, WMIL Milwaukee, iHeartMedia
56. Wyoming – Ian Munsick, Warner Music Recording Artist

Click here to cast your vote.