The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has announced the winning songs for the 10th Annual NSAI Song Contest Presented by CMT. Industry judges selected “I Am Wordless,” written by Tonya Poe of Pittsburg, KS, David Garcia of Tampa, FL and Wayne Smotherman of Nashville, as the Grand Prize Winner. Poe also co-wrote “Too Close To Sunday Mornings,” submitted by Gerry Grothues of Belleville, WI, which earned the CMT Listeners’ Choice Award after receiving the most online votes. This marks the first time a writer has garnered top honors in both categories in the same year.

Earning the top spot from more than 2,000 submissions, Poe and her co-writers will perform their winning song during Tin Pan South on Tuesday, March 30, at 9:00 p.m. They will take the stage at Douglas Corner Café (2106-A 8th Ave. S) prior to Rhett Akins, Scooter Carusoe, Brandon Heath & Lee Thomas Miller. The Grand Prize package also includes a mentoring session with The Valory Music Co. recording artist and Grammy nominee, Jewel; a single-song publishing contract with a major publisher; a three-day trip to Nashville; tickets to the 2011 CMT Music Awards; a Gibson guitar and much more.

For the past ten years, NSAI and CMT have created a nation-wide platform for songwriters to submit their best tunes. Submissions were accepted from August 1 through October 31, 2009. Nashville pro writers, publishers and industry professionals narrowed down the finalists over three rounds of judging and selected the Grand Prize Winner, 10 Runners-Up and 10 Honorable Mentions before the Top 10 (excluding the Grand Prize Winner) were posted on nsai.cmt.com. Online voting ran from January 20 through February 26, 2009 – with more than 450,000 votes. For details on prize packages and a full list of winners, visit nashvillesongwriters.com.
About NSAI: The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization. Established in 1967, the membership of more than 5,000 spans the United States and five foreign countries. For 40 years, NSAI has been dedicated to protecting the rights of and serving aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music. For more information, visit nashvillesongwriters.com.

About CMT:  CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 90 million homes in the U.S.  CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand.  The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.

NSAI Directors Note: Songwriter C.J. Watson had two songs in the Top 10 that became ineligible due to a minor technicality and through no fault of his own. Placing two songs in the Top 10 is worthy of note.

Yesterday music fans and media were invited to a preview of the 18th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank at The Rutledge Live Music Venue in downtown Nashville. Hit songwriter Chris Wallin kicked off the event with “Don’t Blink” before American Idol’s Bo Bice debuted a powerful tune, “Different Shades Of Blue.” Rachel Thibodeau followed with her #1 hit “Good Directions,” co-written with Luke Bryan, and Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain closed the event with a medley that included “Faithfully,” “Open Arms,” “Separate Ways” and “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which brought the audience to their feet. This lineup depicts the flavor of various genres you’ll see at Tin Pan South this year, set for March 30 – April 3, 2010, in Nashville. Produced by NSAI, the event is the world’s largest multi-genre, all-songwriter festival, drawing more than 9,000 music fans in 2009.

For the full schedule, festival updates, to purchase tickets, venue information and more on Tin Pan South, visit tinpansouth.com or nashvillesongwriters.com to learn more about NSAI.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International’s (NSAI) largest and longest-running event, Spring Training, promises to create a life-altering experience for songwriters of all levels. Thursday, April 1and Friday, April 2, join award-winning songwriters like Jessi Alexander (“The Climb” – Miley Cyrus), Dave Berg (“Stupid Boy” – Keith Urban), Journey’s Jonathan Cain (“Open Arms”), Brett James (“Jesus, Take The Wheel” – Carrie Underwood) and Tia Sillers (“I Hope You Dance” – Lee Ann Womack) – just to name a few – at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel (2025 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard) in Nashville. This event sells out fast, so make sure to sign up today at nashvillesongwriters.com or call 615.256.3354.

If you’re a songwriter, you can’t miss this high-energy event that includes exclusive performances by the biggest names in the music industry, vital information on how to launch your career from the hitmakers and an opportunity to pitch to your song to the publisher of your choice as well as meet future co-writers.

Held during Tin Pan South week, Spring Training also offers perks to registrants – discounted Fast Access Passes and a pre-sale code so you’re sure to enjoy the full flavor of the festival. Visit nashvillesongwriters.com or facebook.com/NSAIofficial for more information on NSAI’s Spring Training. Additional details regarding Tin Pan South can be found at tinpansouth.com.
About NSAI: The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization. Established in 1967, the membership of more than 5,000 spans the United States and five foreign countries. For more than 40 years, NSAI has been dedicated to protecting the rights of and serving aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music. For more information, visit nashvillesongwriters.com.