Musicians Benevolent Fund

Songwriting Awards

The Songwriting Awards are now in their seventh year and have established a high profile within the UK songwriting industry. Acclaimed songwriter Guy Chambers has chaired the judging panel almost every year, working with other high profile songwriters including Cathy Dennis, Nik Kershaw, Eg White, Alison Clarkson (Betty Boo) and Dan Gillespie-Sells. Previous winners include The Wombats, Fables, Katie Doherty and Alex Lipinski.

Visit our YouTube channel to view footage from the Songwriting Awards 2009.

18 year old Londoner Sherika Sherard receives coveted Songwriting Award in 2009

Born and raised in South London, singer-songwriter Sherika Sherard walked away with the main award of £5,000 at the Musicians Benevolent Fund's annual Songwriting Awards Final. Sherika has been songwriting from the age of 14 and will use the award to buy new songwriting equipment and tour the UK next year. Sherika said, “I just want to say a big thank you for Thursday night - it was amazing! I am so happy to be part of such a great award and to be linked to your charity as an artist”.

Jessica Staveley-Taylor performing with her two sisters, who are collectively ‘The Staves’, was delighted to receive a development award of £2,500, which she will put towards recording an EP and a 15 date UK tour.

This year‘s high profile panel was chaired by songwriting legend, Guy Chambers, best known for his collaboration as a songwriter/producer with Robbie Williams on five hugely successful albums. Guy was joined by Alison Clarkson (Betty Boo), whose debut album Boomania secured her a Brit in 1990 for Best New Artist and Eg White who, last year, co-wrote two of the biggest and most loved pop hits: Duffy’s ‘Warwick Avenue’ and Adele‘s ’Chasing Pavements' and this year, was named Ivor Novello Songwriter of the Year. Also on the panel were Tony Moore, the man responsible for creating the Kashmir Klub and the Bedford, where the showcase was held, and David Stark, founder of Songlink International.

For more information on how to apply for the Songwriting Awards please email awards@mbf.org.uk