Nashville, Tenn. — April 17, 2025 — Every Spring, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), along with presenting partner Regions Bank, holds the annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, a tradition of celebrating songwriting and the creators behind the music we all love. For several years now, NSAI has also taken the opportunity during the week to recognize and honor its general membership as well as industry supporters who are invaluable to the organization.
Regions Bank joined as presenting partner for the unique morning celebration at 3rd and Lindsley Nashville, honoring over a dozen individuals including standout NSAI members and industry supporters who have given their time and dedication to the organization and songwriters. With special performances, surprise guests, and many heartfelt moments, the awards showcased the supportive community created by NSAI for songwriters.
Back Row (Pictured L-R): Amanda Flynn Phillips (NSAI Director of Chapters), Preston Berger (Friend of NSAI Award Recipient), Terry Seay (Champion Award Recipient), Joe Bigalke (Milestone Award Recipient), Tim Comeaux (Member ‘Song of the Year’ Recipient), Andrea Brodeur (Member ‘Song of the Year’ Recipient), Philip Morgan (Chapter Challenge Member Winner), Kathy Kay Wallace (Online Pitch Award Recipient), Brian White (Friend of NSAI Award Recipient), Michael Saleta (Bob Kingsley Top 40 Award Recipient), Brook Morgan (co-writer of Chapter Challenge Member winning song), Jeff Carson (Chapter Community Impact Award Recipient), Ben Wagner (Milestone Award Recipient), Maxwell Trotter (NSAI Sr. Songwriter Relations Rep), Gary Boevers (Chapter Challenge Coordinator Winner).
Front Row (Pictured L-R): Jill Moody (NSAI Director of Songwriter Relations), David Cooper (Chapter Community Impact Award Recipient), Andrew Hoyt (Mentor Award Recipient), Delaney Faulds (Ones To Watch Award Recipient), Brittany Moore (Todd Givens Scholarship Recipient), Steve Brown (Member ‘Song of the Year’ Recipient), Allison Barrett (NSAI Songwriter Services Coordinator), Paige Ruderman (Volunteer of the Year Award Recipient), Mary Willmon (co-writer of Chapter Challenge Coordinator winning song).
(Credit: NSAI/Brittni Talley)
After a welcome address, the ceremony began with a performance from NSAI Board Member and pro songwriter David Hodges as he shared a few songs as well as words of inspiration with the audience. Delaney Faulds was the first award honoree, receiving the Ones To Watch Award for earning the “One To Watch” recognition the most times throughout the 2024 calendar year, then shortly after, another Board Member and hit songwriter, Jenn Schott, stepped on stage and attendees were treated with a performance including the #1 song “7500 OBO” (recorded by Tim McGraw) co-written by Schott, Nathan Spicer, and Matt McGinn.
Pictured Below : Jill Moody (NSAI Director of Songwriter Relations) with Preston Berger, a 2025 Friend of NSAI award recipient.
(credit: NSAI/Brittni Talley)
Pictured Above: Karyn Williams performing to honor 2025 Friend of NSAI award recipient Brian White.
(credit: NSAI/Brittni Talley)
Throughout the next hour as honorees were recognized, several surprise guests took part in the ceremony adding a personal touch to the event for many recipients. To honor the newest Friend of NSAI Award recipients, songwriter Dan Wilson surprised Preston Berger (Senior Creative Manager, Big Machine Music) with a performance, and pro songwriter Brian White was honored with a song by hit songwriter Pete Sallis who joined Brian’s wife, accomplished singer-songwriter Karyn Williams on stage. Several additional performances took place as the morning went on including Brittany Moore (recipient of the Todd Givens Memorial Scholarship), Jamie Floyd (performing the song she co-wrote with Milestone Award recipient Joe Bigalke), Ben Wagner (Milestone Award recipient), Tim Comeaux, Andrea Brodeur and Steve Brown (performing the Member Song of the Year, “Dumpster Diving”), and a moving performance by Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr to honor Terry Seay and Wanda Seay (posthumously), recipients of the NSAI Champion Award.
Bart Herbison (NSAI Executive Director) with Terry Seay, recipient of NSAI’s Champion Award, given to honor both Terry and Wanda Seay.
(credit: NSAI/Brittni Talley)
A cherished honor, the Champion Award is given in recognition of generous support for – and dedication to – songwriters, the music industry, and NSAI, and it is specifically chosen by NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison. Terry and Wanda Seay became beloved by songwriters and the music industry through their “Living Room Rounds” that began in 2009 and the creation of Z Music Room. To this day, Z Music Room celebrates songwriters through private shows and events, continuing to support the close knit community they built and fostered over the years.
The Member Awards, being much more than just an event of performances and celebration, have become an anticipated time to reunite with fellow songwriters and friends, new and old, from around the globe that have been brought together through the NSAI community. NSAI looks forward to bringing together the creative community in 2026!
Pictured L-R: Steve Brown, Andrea Brodeur, and Tim Comeaux perform the NSAI Member Song of the Year, “Dumpster Diving”.
(credit: Tommy Kibodeaux)
Full List of Award Recipients and Honorees
Ones To Watch Award - Delaney Faulds (Nashville, TN)
Bob Kingsley’s NSAI Top 40 Award - Michael Saleta (Nashville, TN)
Online Pitch Award - Kathy Kay Wallace (Ballwin, MO)
Friend of NSAI - Preston Berger - Senior Creative Manager, Big Machine Music (Nashville, TN)
Volunteer of the Year Award - Paige Ruderman (Nashville, TN)
Mentor Award - Andrew Hoyt (Des Moines, IA)
Chapter Community Impact Award - College Station, TX Chapter – Jeff Carson and David Cooper
Chapter Challenge Coordinator Winner - Gary Boevers (Saint Peters, MO) co-writer Mary Willmon
Chapter Challenge Member Winner - Philip Morgan (Nashville, TN) co-writers Dylan Brabham, Brook Morgan
Online Song Feedback Award - Carly Zimmerman (Nashville, TN)
Todd Givens Memorial Scholarship Recipient - Brittany Moore (Nashville, TN)
NSAI Champion Award - Terry and Wanda Seay (Franklin, TN)
Friend of NSAI - Brian White - Pro Songwriter (Nashville, TN)
Milestone Award - Joe Bigalke (Red Wing, MN)
Milestone Award - Ben Wagner (Nashville, TN)
Member Song Of The Year - “Dumpster Diving” - Tim Comeaux (North Easton, MA) co-writers Andrea Brodeur, Steve Brown
