News: Songwriters Workshop at Southbrook Presents First Annual Blue Diamond Awards

On December 6, 2004, the Songwriters Workshop at Southbrook (SWS), the Dayton/Cincinnati Chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), held its first annual Blue Diamond Awards dinner and presentation. Based on the SWS Compilation Project, The Blue Diamond Awards are given to the best SWS songwriters and their songs as judged by noted songwriters, producers, and music industry professionals. The 2004 project comprised two CDs: a Top 10 SWS Songs CD, based solely on the merits of each song; and a Top 10 SWS Songwriters Showcase CD, containing songs by writers whose entries exemplify SWS songwriting standards. Thirty-five SWS songwriters entered 121 songs in this year's competition and all received a blue ribbon for their participation.

Top 10 SWS Songs CD Winners:

(The judges were unable to break an eight-way tie for seventh place, resulting in 14 winning songs!)

1. James Bond - Dave Blowers
2. Mama's In The Mood - Tony Kippins, Dave Blowers, Tim Skeen
3. Can't Wait For The Rain - Greg Althammer, Dave Blowers, Darren Wiedman
4. Eye On Eternity - Edward Livesay
5. Cowgirl - Judy Carnes, Tedd Swormstedt
6. Thank God It's Monday - Jim Melko
7. Do Over - Tim Skeen, Dick Plunk
7. Read My Hips - Ann Jacobs, B. Andrews, L. Sanders
7. Party Of One - Judy Carnes, Eric Measel, Tedd Swormstedt
7. It Took All Of History - Jim Melko, Jon Bontempi
7. You Don't Deserve - Tedd Swormstedt
7. Strawberry Moon - Dave Lenahan, Tim Skeen
7. No Room For Hate - Nick Cardilino
7. Louisville Slugger - Tim Skeen, Greg Althammer, Alex Fekkos, Dave Lenahan

Top 10 SWS Songwriters Showcase CD Winners:

(listed in no particular order)

Too Many Walls - Jim Melko, Vaughn Welches, Tony Kippins
Playing With The Boys - Judy Carnes
Living In The Doghouse - Darren Wiedman
The Tears Come One At A Time - Nick Cardilino
Wasted Paper - Jim Melko, Stephanie Welches
When You Touch Me - Vaughn Welches, Jim Melko
Headed To Vegas - Martin Buchanan, Laura Black
When Daddy Played Guitar - Jim Melko
Never Said A Word About The War - Jim Melko, Chuck Pinney
Visiting Day - Kenny Hart, Peggy Hart

The judges were Marc Alan Barnette, writer of David Ball's single "Too Much Blood In My Alcohol Level" and a Nashville icon who has voluntarily helped hundreds of songwriters; Gary Talley, former SWS Adopt-A-Shop Pro songwriter, lead guitarist for the Boxtops and author of Guitar Playing for Songwriters; and Doak Turner, former NSAI Coordinator and current Nashville Songwriter and Networking leader and adviser.

In a surprise final highlight to the event, SWS Coordinators Jim Melko, Greg Althammer, and Nick Cardilino presented a special SWS Songwriter of the Year award to David Blowers for his exemplary songwriting and dedication to SWS's vision and mission.

"Last night was definitely more attention than I deserved," David said, "but thanks again to all of you for being so gracious. Another thing that made the night very, very, special for me was that my wife and two daughters were there. I am normally pretty private about what's going on with my songwriting and they don't really have a clear idea of the role it plays in my life. But last night helped them to see that it's not just a hobby, but part of who I am. And there's nothing cooler than hearing one of your kids say, 'Daddy, I'm really proud of you.'"

Congratulations, Dave! And congratulations to the winners and everyone who participated in the Compilation Project, the volunteers and the coordinators on the resounding success of the First Annual SWS Blue Diamond Awards. Everyone, I'm sure, is looking forward to next year's competition!