(April 4, 2022 - Nashville, TN) - The 30th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival presented by Regions Bank wrapped up on Saturday night but the excitement is still in the air from five days of awe-inspiring shows, unparalleled talent, networking opportunities, and fellowship! After a two-year pandemic-related hiatus, it was apparent that songwriters and festival-goers were ready to make up for lost time and celebrate the festival's 30th Anniversary. Over 400 uniquely talented songwriters spanning multiple genres played live, showcasing their hit songs sharing the stories behind them, and premiering new and unreleased songs in intimate settings over nine venues across Music City.
On Thursday, The Nashville Songwriters Association International hosted the first-ever in-person “NSAI Member Awards” (presented by Regions Bank). The invitation-only event was held at Analog at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville and included performances. “We have thousands of songwriter members who may not describe themselves as professional songwriters, but write amazing songs, are outstanding performers, and deserve recognition for their work,” said NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison. “This is one of the most exciting additions to NSAI’s programming in years and we applaud Regions Bank for underwriting this event. Nothing could be more in line with the part of our mission statement that says: “to educate, elevate and celebrate the songwriter.”
Awards were voted by NSAI’s global membership and NSAI staff. They included Online Pitch Award presented to 2021 recipient Daniel Collins and 2022 recipient Caroline Dare, Sarah Jones and 2022 recipient Kate Zickler, Online Song Feedback Award presented to 2021 recipient Song Evaluation Award presented to 2021 recipient, Nell Maynard and 2022 recipient, Hayden Cain, NSAI Mentor Awards were presented to 2021 recipient Greg Wilson and 2022 recipient Jahnavi Goldstein, NSAI One to Watch Award presented to 2021 recipient Ben Johnson and 2022 recipient John Frank, NSAI New Member of The Year presented to 2021 recipient Brett Trout and 2022 recipient Beldon Burch, Volunteer of The Year presented to 2021 recipient Herb Chafin and 2022 recipient Michelle Pereira, Friends of NSAI presented to 2022 recipient Preshias Harris, Graduate Award presented to 2021 recipients Kyle James, Sarah Jones, Kelly McKay, and Megan Barker; and 2022 recipients: Lily Rose, Martin McDaniel, Sara Haze, and Aubrey Toone, Chapter of The Year presented to 2021 recipients Oklahoma City, OK Chapter, overseen by coordinators Bryan Mitschell and Nancy Borum, and 2022 recipients Tidewater, VA overseen by coordinators Michael Crockett and Michael King, Chapter Coordinator of The Year presented to 2021 Recipient Kathy Kay Wallace who oversees our St. Louis, MO Chapter with co-coordinator, and 2022 recipient Scott Forman, who is a co-coordinator of New York City, NY Chapter. Other recognitions include Todd Givens Scholarship 2021 recipient Jesse LaBelle and 2022 recipient Ben Wagner, NSAI Song Contest 2021 Song Category winner Matthew Soileau and 2021 Lyric-Only Category winner Claire Bunnik, Anthem Chapter Challenge awards presented to 2021 winners Sal Cosentino and Linda Sclafani and 2022 winners David Unlayao, Kathy Kay Wallace, and Emily Bea.
Dates have already been announced for the 2023 Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival - March 28 - April 1, 2023 - so mark your calendars! Visit www.tinpansouth.com for more info. Updates can also be found on the Tin Pan South Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram.