A Man Called Bruce was chosen as Chattanooga Songwriter Association Writer of the Month for July. Thom Cavin, executive director of the CSA confirmed that Cleveland based songwriter A Man Called Bruce has performed many times at the organization's Writer's Nights, including a performance at the first (and only, thus far) CSA Songwriter's Festival last November.
At the festival, Bruce performed on the same night as Steve Bogard, who is also the president of the Nashville Songwriter's Association International and the author of a slew of hit songs including George Strait's "Carried Away” and “Carrying Your Love With Me," Rascal Flatts' career-breaking "Prayin' For Daylight," as well as songs recorded by Marty Robbins, Jack Ingram, Dierks Bentley, Clay Walker, BlackHawk, Tanya Tucker, Steve Wariner, Patty Loveless, Eddy Raven, Reba McEntire, Lee Greenwood, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Restless Heart, Lonestar, Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys and Diamond Rio. The night also included accomplished songwriter Roger Alan Wade who penned songs for country legends such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, George Jones and Hank Williams Jr.
Writer's Night is now a twice weekly event sponsored by the CSA since September 2011.
Writer's Night is a showcase where local and regional songwriters perform only their original songs. This is much different than an Open Mic night where amateurs go to play other people's songs. Amateurs may apply to perform at a CSA's Writer's Night, but they should be prepared to play only their own songs and have the confidence to appear on the stage with seasoned songwriters such as Robby Hopkins, Summer Hullender, Bernie Faulkner, Kevin Lane, Troy Underwood, Anthony Quails, Charley Yates, Martha Ann Brooks, Jennifer Brumlow, and Pat Babb (all of which have already won the CSA's monthly award).
Mr. Cavin said of July's winner, "We look at A Man Called Bruce as a cut above. His dedication to his music and his prolific writing have brought forth from his mind more than 30 songs since he joined CSA last September." He went on to say, "In the past 11 months we've heard more than 1,100 songs performed by over 400 songwriters. It was definitely Bruce's turn to win."