NSAI Honors Marsha Blackburn

Pictures (L-R): Bobby Tomberlin, David Briggs, Lee Thomas Miller, Harry Chapman, LaRawn Scaife Rhea, Honoree Marsha Blackburn, Joe Scaife, Bart Herbison, Lisa Ramsey

Nashville Songwriters Association International, hosted a recent coffee reception honoring Congressman Marsha Blackburn, recipient of the 2014 Cecil Scaife Visionary Award. The award is given annually to an individual whose life and work have made it possible for future generations to realize careers in the music industry and this year highlighted Blackburn’s contributions to the songwriting industry.

Hosts for the event included NSAI’s Bart Herbison and Lee Thomas Miller, Mike Curb, NATIVE Entertainment Group, Little Extra Music Publishing, Danielle and Joe Scaife, Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, and LaRawn and Richard Rhea. Speakers included Harry Chapman, producer David Briggs, and Little Extra Music Publishing President Lisa Ramsey.

LaRawn Scaife Rhea, who founded the event, said “Many people who become well known or ‘famous,’ as many of you in this room have become, know how easy it is to let their feet leave the ground, and appear to be someone they really aren’t. I have known Marsha since I was her assistant in 1976 and she is still the same smart, hard-working, and caring person. She continues to attend church regularly on Sunday and then prepares lunch for her family, with many of the veggies from her own garden and biscuits made from her mother’s family recipe. She still writes hand written notes of encouragement to her girlfriends and is always there when we need her. She is not afraid to take on anyone, when she needs to stand up for what she knows is right.”

The visibly moved Blackburn, who was accompanied by her husband Chuck, stated in her remarks what a huge honor this is for her and spoke about the times she sat at the breakfast table with Cecil Scaife and heard him speak of his vision, and how he was always lending a helping hand to encourage others on their path. Blackburn thanked the songwriters for their wonderful talents and contributions and reiterated that her door was indeed always open to them.

Recipients of the Cecil Scaife Visionary Award:
Mike Curb 2008
Tony Brown 2009
Wynonna Judd 2010
David Briggs & Norbert Putnam 2011
Amy Grant 2012
Jo Walker-Meador 2013
Marsha Blackburn 2014