2021 SONGSALIVE! SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
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We're excited to announce the recipient of the 2021 Songsalive! Songwriter Of The Year Award: DONNY GRACE
Donny Grace has 5 decades under his belt of performing singer-songwriter, guitar, keyboard, and bass player, as well as arranger and producer. He has done everything from play in bands to session work, Broadway stage productions to TV show appearances, singing in church to performing solo at writer night venues including many of the noted spots around Nashville. An award-winning singer-songwriter who is a 6-time winner at the Mountain Valley Arts (MOVA) Songwriter Festival, including “Best of Show”, which he and his wife, Susan, won in 2007. Along with his own songwriting and productions, Donny has worked extensively with up-and-coming artists writing and producing and helping them find the road to success, which included 12 years in which he served as a NSAI Regional Coordinator. He is consistently our #1 Top Member in the Backstage, engaging with other songwriters and our activities at Songsalive! And his dedication to his craft as well as our community, and the songwriters community at large earns him this esteemed award.
Congratulations Donny.
Since 2010, Songsalive! honors one songwriter each year with the Songsalive! Songwriter Of The Year Award, to a songwriter who shows exemplary talent and commitment to ones art of writing songs and the community around them; carefully by a handful of judges and our Board.
We base this prestigious award on this CRITERIA:
We base this prestigious award on this CRITERIA:
- Consistently creating timely and strong radio friendly songs that are ready for the world's music markets or has been deemed as world-class. Doesn't necessarily have had chart success, but has a catalog or songs that have been noticed as esteemed.
- Can provide a track record of career successes with one's music in the music industry, ideally self-generated and self-empowered success. This may be in the form of awards, fellowships, testimonials, licensing placements or revenue.
- Shows exemplary talent and commitment to ones art of writing songs.
- Shows a long standing drive and commitment to one's own business career.
- Exemplary member of Songsalive! who shows commitment to our community and programs over time.
- Shown commitment and dedication to the broader songwriting community at large and offers something beyond just oneself.
HOW CAN I BE CONSIDERED FOR THE AWARD?
You need to be a current Songsalive! Pro Member to be considered, who has been a longtime supporter of our community and fits the criteria above. We do not accept nominations. The award is determined by our Board at its discretion based on the criteria above, once a year.
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Songsalive! testimonial - Songsalive! Songwriter of the Year recipient, Nancy Kelel, shares why she loves Songsalive!
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2019 SONGSALIVE! SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
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We're excited to announce the recipient of the 2019 Songsalive! Songwriter Of The Year Award: Nancy Kelel. Read below.
PAST Songsalive! Songwriter of the Year RECIPIENTS
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2019 Recipient - Nancy Kelel
We've also added some of our favorite tracks to the Songsalive! Indie Undeground Playlist on Spotify
- We're excited to announce the recipient of the 2019 Songsalive! Songwriter Of The Year Award: Nancy Kelel.
Nancy receives this Award for her incredible legacy as a strong contributor to her songwriting community, her great and memorable songs, her dedication to Songsalive! as a long-time member, and for her outstanding growth in her writing and performing which we have been honored to witness over the years.
Originally from Detroit Michigan, Songwriter Nancy Kelel started singing her compositions on piano and guitar at coffee house venues in her early teens, and played drums in a local band to help put herself through college. She moved to Los Angeles with a goal to have her songs performed and recorded by other artists. Nancy has had two songs place as Semi-Finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest, and a Semi-Finalist placement in the Songwriter Of The Year Contest. Nancy’s songs have been recorded by well known Los Angeles artist Pat Whiteman.
Her song “Only A Bridge Away” aired on National Indie Radio (WNIR) throughout February 2019 to promote and celebrate Valentine’s Day for the station’s “All You Need Is Love” campaign. In April 2019 Nancy was a featured songwriter performing for the “David Harvey Presents Songwriter Showcase” in Altadena CA at the Coffee Gallery Backstage. In both May and November 2019 she was invited to showcase on the Sam Ash Music Store Stage by the Orange County chapter of the international songwriting organization Songsalive!
Why do you love songwriting? - I love songwriting because it’s an incredible gift that gives me the creative outlet I need to release the truths and love that I carry deep in my heart and soul.
- Share why you believe in a songwriting community?
- Our Southern CA songwriting community can absolutely nurture one’s sense of purpose. Networking has helped me create both quality friendships and fruitful business relationships. It’s also fulfilling to support other artists and songwriters. Honestly, a sincere handshake and showing up to support one’s peers is the greatest feeling. Community is a gift that gives back if your heart’s in the right place.
We've also added some of our favorite tracks to the Songsalive! Indie Undeground Playlist on Spotify
2018 Recipient - Steve Archdeacon
- Consistently creates timely and strong radio friendly world-class songs that are ready for the world's music markets.
- Provides a track record of career successes with his music in the music industry, as a self-empowered successful artist.
- Shows exemplary talent and commitment to his art of writing songs.
- Shows a long standing drive and commitment to his own business career.
- Is an exemplary member of Songsalive! who shows commitment to our community and programs over time. He used to also volunteer tirelessly running Long Island, NY events for Songsalive! and has given so much to our community.
- He has also shown commitment and dedication to the broader songwriting community at large and offers something beyond just oneself.
- Steve Archdeacon is truly the epitome of why this Award is created and given. It's well deserved.
Discover more of Archdeacon at www.archdeaconmusic.com and Spotify.
We've also added some of our favorite tracks to the Songsalive! Indie Undeground Playlist on Spotify
2015 Recipient - Kip Corley
Kip Corley is a prolific songwriter who also takes the time out of his busy "day job schedule" to regularly gig around town and get his name known -- both solo and with his band Knightlyghter. He's a frequent face at songwriting workshops and music conferences around Southern California -- he has shown that he is serious about his music career. He also helps at our OC Squad, and we've watched him, over the years, develop as a strong songwriter, plus as a extraordinary and entertaining live performer.
Bio, in his own words: My first musical influence was an Elvis Presley movie on I saw on TV. I Think it was Love Me Tender. I told my "Grandma" that I wanted that man to be my daddy. She had a hard time explaining to a 4 year old how it didn't work that way. My first Album and every consecutive album was Elvis. I started writing songs at about 9 years old. The first one was to the tune of an Elvis song (surprise, surprise!). Then I started writing my own lyrics and melodies. My best friend turned me on to Neil Diamond who wrote and played his own songs. I then became a Neil fan also and taught myself to play guitar so I could accompany myself on my songs. I started band, we played original songs and covers. Time went on, life went on, marriage, children, work, moving to better and better neighborhoods until we ended up behind the "Orange Curtain". I'm currently performing as a solo and with my band KNIGHTLYGHTER in and around Orange County. We play what I call "Classic Pop". It's a mix of Classic Rock, Oldies, 70's (my favorite), Country and a few Originals now and then. Visit Kip at www.kipcorley.com
Kip Corley is a prolific songwriter who also takes the time out of his busy "day job schedule" to regularly gig around town and get his name known -- both solo and with his band Knightlyghter. He's a frequent face at songwriting workshops and music conferences around Southern California -- he has shown that he is serious about his music career. He also helps at our OC Squad, and we've watched him, over the years, develop as a strong songwriter, plus as a extraordinary and entertaining live performer.
Bio, in his own words: My first musical influence was an Elvis Presley movie on I saw on TV. I Think it was Love Me Tender. I told my "Grandma" that I wanted that man to be my daddy. She had a hard time explaining to a 4 year old how it didn't work that way. My first Album and every consecutive album was Elvis. I started writing songs at about 9 years old. The first one was to the tune of an Elvis song (surprise, surprise!). Then I started writing my own lyrics and melodies. My best friend turned me on to Neil Diamond who wrote and played his own songs. I then became a Neil fan also and taught myself to play guitar so I could accompany myself on my songs. I started band, we played original songs and covers. Time went on, life went on, marriage, children, work, moving to better and better neighborhoods until we ended up behind the "Orange Curtain". I'm currently performing as a solo and with my band KNIGHTLYGHTER in and around Orange County. We play what I call "Classic Pop". It's a mix of Classic Rock, Oldies, 70's (my favorite), Country and a few Originals now and then. Visit Kip at www.kipcorley.com
2014 Recipient - Paul Rasmusson
Paul started his musical career playing piano, guitar and singing in his early teens in Helena, Montana. A few garage bands later, he set off as a solo artist for a period lasting more than a decade. When the “solo life” took its toll on his writing, Paul took a sabbatical that lasted several years. After experiencing a creative breakthrough, Paul got serious and returned to songwriting, adding recording and studio engineering to his repertoire. As a result of his reflective time out, he began writing songs that earned him the “Body of Work” award from Song of the Year for consistent, high quality song submission and was a finalist in the Country Music category which earned him several Honorable Mentions. These awards were followed by additional Honorable Mentions in the Billboard Song Writing competition. Encouraged by his success, he began writing in alternative musical styles such as pop and independent, focusing mostly on writing for himself as an artist. Side projects resulted in the theme songs and bumper music for the Atomic Dog Radio show, a dog training show airing on over 120 AM radio stations across the United States as well as the webmercial of bay area auto supply company “Wheelaroo”. He also contributed two songs on the Songsalive! Compilation CDs from 2012 and 2013 before winning the Songsalive! Songwriter of the Year award for 2014.
Paul started his musical career playing piano, guitar and singing in his early teens in Helena, Montana. A few garage bands later, he set off as a solo artist for a period lasting more than a decade. When the “solo life” took its toll on his writing, Paul took a sabbatical that lasted several years. After experiencing a creative breakthrough, Paul got serious and returned to songwriting, adding recording and studio engineering to his repertoire. As a result of his reflective time out, he began writing songs that earned him the “Body of Work” award from Song of the Year for consistent, high quality song submission and was a finalist in the Country Music category which earned him several Honorable Mentions. These awards were followed by additional Honorable Mentions in the Billboard Song Writing competition. Encouraged by his success, he began writing in alternative musical styles such as pop and independent, focusing mostly on writing for himself as an artist. Side projects resulted in the theme songs and bumper music for the Atomic Dog Radio show, a dog training show airing on over 120 AM radio stations across the United States as well as the webmercial of bay area auto supply company “Wheelaroo”. He also contributed two songs on the Songsalive! Compilation CDs from 2012 and 2013 before winning the Songsalive! Songwriter of the Year award for 2014.
2013 Recipient - Sandy Andina
Sandy Andina is a veteran of the Chicago folk scene, with detours along the way into rock & roll, comedy, politics and motherhood -- all of which inform her incisive original songs, serious & funny. As a solo artist, Sandy plays acoustic guitar and mountain dulcimer, but in collaboration doubles on bass guitar, harmonica, and baritone ukulele. With her current singing partner, Stephen Lee Rich, their duo, Andina & Rich have two albums out: 2006’s “Because We Can” on Travenia, the title track of which was a Dr. Demento favorite, and 2010’s “Two Guitars, a Dulcimer and an Attitude” on DulciYodel — listed in 7 categories on the 2010 Grammy ballot and all 14 cuts of which have gotten airplay. Sandy is currently working on her second solo disc “Candy Apple Red Herring,” as well as the followup and holiday Andina & Rich CDs. She plays clubs, concerts and festivals all over Chicagoland, the rest of the Midwest, and occasionally Mid-Atlantic, mid-South, West and far West—as well as the Chicago Bar Association’s annual “Christmas Spirits” satirical musical revue. Check Sandy out at her website: www.sandyandina.com
2011 Recipient - Annette Conlon
Awarded for her songwriting, her artistry and her dedication to helping other artists in the community.
Awarded for her songwriting, her artistry and her dedication to helping other artists in the community.
- Annette performed with Dallas rock band Eden Automatic (released 4 albums) for 10 years touring the South West / opening for prominent acts such as The B-52s, Pretenders, Missing Persons, and Duran Duran.
- Currently performs with her husband Doug as ‘The Conlons’ - plan to release their first EP in 2012.
- Won several awards for her songs.
- Creator of NetteRadio, one of the longest running internet radio shows dedicated to promoting unsigned/Independent Women in Music.
- Has dedicated countless hours to producing and organizing showcase benefits for a wide variety of charities.
- Awarded a plaque of appreciation from the American Red Cross - for her fundraising efforts for Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief in 2011.
- Works with several organizations including Songsalive!, GoGirlsMusic, Songnet, Rockin’ Moms, Mamapalooza and Los Angeles Women In Music – does a lot for the music community at large.
- Dedicated Songsalive! member since 2007
2010 Recipient - Kaye Reznick
Kaye Reznick was chosen for this prestigious award on this criteria:
Kaye Reznick was chosen for this prestigious award on this criteria:
- A long standing Pro member and have continued to keep membership current.
- Performed at our showcases and attended our workshops, and shown commitment to our programs, including 2 of our CD Samplers.
- Shown commitment and dedication to the broader songwriting community.
- Shown talent and a long standing drive and commitment to her own career.
- Has great songs that exemplify strong songwriting craft and excellent production quality.
