Louisiana Songwriter Wins Nashville Career Scholarship

A Louisiana songwriter with deep roots in country music just earned recognition that could change his career trajectory.

Grayson May has been named the 2026 recipient of the Todd Givens Memorial Scholarship from the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). The honor comes with something money can't buy: dedicated, year-round mentorship from Nashville's songwriting experts.

The scholarship honors Todd Givens, who spent 31 years championing songwriters at NSAI before his death in 2018. Each year, NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison personally selects one emerging talent who embodies Givens' passion for the craft.

Herbison praised May's dedication to country music as a complete lifestyle, not just a genre. He highlighted May's unmatched work ethic and ability to connect with Nashville's tight-knit songwriting community.

May will receive a free NSAI membership plus ongoing guidance from the organization's creative and membership teams. For an independent artist breaking into Music Row, that kind of insider access can open doors that usually take years to unlock.

Why This Inspires

This scholarship represents something beautiful about Nashville's music community: established professionals investing deeply in the next generation. Rather than letting young talent struggle alone, NSAI provides real relationships and sustained support.

The award keeps Todd Givens' legacy alive by extending the same care and advocacy he showed songwriters for three decades. It transforms one person's life work into an ongoing gift that helps new voices find their way.

May will be celebrated at the NSAI Member Awards on March 26 during Tin Pan South week, Nashville's premier songwriting festival. He'll stand among the community that just invested in his future.

For every aspiring songwriter grinding away in Nashville's crowded scene, May's story proves that talent plus work ethic still gets noticed.