Awards
Well, the time of year has come around again for fans and industry leaders to start the nominations process for various awards programs. There will be many different categories, and the criteria for winning will vary slightly depending on the particular award. But in almost every awards program there is a category for songwriter of the year. Here are some things to consider when casting your votes in the Songwriting categories.
Now of course, everything we do should be Christ honoring first of all. But if we are going to bestow awards on members of the music industry, then try to remember this. Most of the attention rests on the artist, the record company, or the producer. But without the songwriter, all of these other people would be without a job. There would be no songs to sing or perform, no records to produce, to market or to sell. But most songwriters know from experience that songwriting can be a thankless job.
So the industry has graciously decided to recognize the Songwriter with an award. The only problem is that, too often the fan or even industry leaders are unaware of who is writing today's most popular songs. And usually Songwriting awards are bestowed upon the MOST POPULAR PERFORMER who writes their own material.
But I would like to suggest that you consider some of the non-performing writers (writers who are not in a well known group) , or a writer who sings in a lesser known group for a songwriting award.
A good place to start is by looking at the various trade magazines. Look beyond the TITLE OF THE SONG and the ARTIST, and read the small print underneath the title. There you will find the names of some very well deserving writers. Some of their names may be new to you. But you may find that many of your favorite songs have been written by the same person, and that person may be someone you've never heard of before.
As I look over a current trade magazine I notice names like Rebecca Peck, Sheri La Fontaine, Michael Sykes, David Patillo, Sheryl Farris, Belinda Smith, Mark Willet, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey, Barbara Huffman, Dianne Wilkinson, Sandy Knight, Larry Petree, Suzanne Jennings, Chaz Bosarge, Stephen Hill and others. These writers names appear every month on industry charts, many times on several songs during the same month.
Yet they are rarely included when award nominations are made. These are not high profile performers, but excellent writers who deserve to be considered for their contribution to our industry.
I am in no way implying that performers such as Gerald Crabb, Phill Cross, Kirk Talley, Squire Parsons, Rodney Griffin, Jeff Steele and other Performing Writers are not deserving of a songwriting award. Each of these PERFORMING WRITERS do a great job and also deserve to be considered. I would just like to see some of the people who do not receive accolades for their singing, still be able to walk to the podium and receive a fan or industry voted award.
So get out several copies of the last few months trade magazines, or check out the online charts and see who is writing your favorite songs. If it is a well know performer, then by all means vote for them. But if your favorite songs are being written by someone whom you are not familiar with, don't be afraid to vote for them.
Until next time
Keep on writing
Daryl Williams
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 02/29/2004
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Category: Monthly ArticlesThe Songwriter
Comments: 2
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Great article, as always, Daryl. As a songwriter myself, I look for who wrote my favorite songs as much, if not more, as who sings them. That's where it all starts. There is one important name missing from your list, however - Daryl K. Williams.
Looking for an older song written by Southern Gospel Music writer, Sandy Knight, "Don't Just Stand There...Pray Something". Please help us contact her. Thanks!
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