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Smithsonian/SAW/BMI Songwriters Showcase

Lamont Dozier
(c) Taylor Harris Photography

WHAT A NIGHT!!! Lamont Dozier simply “rocked the house” with some of his best Motown songs at our historic first-ever Smithsonian/SAW/BMI Songwriters Showcase at the Baird Auditorium. It was a magical evening starting off with a fascinating interview of the legendary Lamont by Keith Killgo (former drummer of the Blackbyrds) – we learned all about Lamont’s Motown days and the inside scoop on the Supremes, Mary Wilson, and Berry Gordy. It was an awesome peek into music history to hear him tell his stories.

Lamont Dozier and Keith Killgo
(c) Taylor Harris Photography

Out of a competition of 250 songs, 12 songwriters were selected to perform, including 4 Young Artists from DC area schools. They wrote fabulous songs and each made us proud with fantastic and heartfelt performances. We had a great crowd who loved the diversity of music from ballads to rock, from jazz and blues to hip hop, from adult contemporary to rap – each artist gave us something to remember. Below are photos of the winners of the Adult and Young Artist “People’s Choice” awards, Susan Greenbaum for “Spin Like a Top” and 15 year-old Jamie Boyd for “Runnin’ on Empty”. We hope to post more photos and some of the songs on the SAW website as soon as they are available.

Lamont Dozier with “People’s Choice” award winner Susan Greenbaum and husband Chris Parker (“Spin Like A Top”)
©Taylor Harris Photography

Lamont Dozier congratulating “People’s Choice” Young Artist award winner Jamie Boyd (“Runnin’On Empty”)
©Taylor Harris Photography

Performers for Smithsonian/SAW/BMI Showcase

1.“Sure Feels Real”- Doug Stanglin (co-writer Janet Devers)

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2.“Like It Like That”- Yvette Barnes

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3.“Kindness Don’t Rest Easy” - Laura Baron

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4.“Let’s Get Down” – Sol

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5.“Spend My Life” – Markeisha Ensley

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6.“Whole Wide World”- Talia Segal

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7. “Spin Like A Top” – Susan Greenbaum

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8. “Where I’m At” – Dumi Right (co-written by Akim Funk Buddha)

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Young Artist Performers

9.“Wake Up” – Adam Swink

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10.“Runnin’ On Empty” – Jamie Kathleen Boyd

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11.“What’s Good” – Paul Spiers

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12.“Hold On” – Margot MacDonald

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Finalists for Smithsonian/SAW/BMI Showcase

“Maybe It’s Peace” – Anne Heaton

“Gravity” - Joanne Juskus

“Winter” - Rebekah McLeod

“Glass” – Ross Cooperman

“Super Girl” – Christin ‘Cool’ Henderson

“Diggin On U” - Mehnlehseh Boayue

“Over and Over” – Lynnell Randall

“Is it You” – Darrell Russ

“Last Call For Love” – Patty Reese

“Baltimore” – Renee McCullough

“Blue Storm” – Barbara Martin

“Kaleidoscope” – Greg Trafidlo  (Co-written with Barbara Martin)

Young Artist Finalists

I Can’t Breathe” – Katherine Thorsey

“The Cure” – Ryan Maher (Band Members associated with song : James McKissick, Daniel Taylor)

“Your Face” – Alex Blizniak

“If It Weren’t For You” – Colin Nagle