Blackman named 'Songplugger of Year'
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on May 2, 2004 8:10 AM
Sherrill Blackman has been honored as "Songplugger of the Year" at Music Row Magazine's annual awards ceremony.
He is the first recipient of this award given in recognition for the hard work and dedication behind matching the right song with the right artist at the right time.
Music Row Magazine also presented awards to Musician of the Year, Producer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year.
Blackman is the son of Shirley Blackman of Dudley and the late William "Bill" Blackman. He is a 1976 graduate of Southern Wayne High School and received an associate's degree in business administration from Wayne Community College in 1979.
He moved to Nashville, Tenn., in 1980 and graduated from Belmont University with a bachelor of arts degree in music business in 1982.
Since that time, he has worked with American Image Productions, the Nashville Songwriters Association International and Buckhorn Music Publishing.
For the past 10 years, he has owned and operated his own company, The SDB Music Group, which is home to three publishing branches and a professional songplugging service. Various recordings include John Michael Montgomery, Atlantic/Warner; LeAnn Rimes, Curb; George Jones, Asylum; and Eddie Arnold, RCA, to name a few.
His many gospel cuts include the number one, "The Journey," and the Top Ten "Journey On Believer" by Christian country artist Melody Bieser.
Although Blackman does not make his living as a songwriter, he has had a few of his compositions recorded by artists like the Ensminger Family, gospel; The Flat Creek Skilletlickers, bluegrass; The Sidebusters, comedy; and Richard Helm, blues.
One of his songs, "We Are Leaves," has been featured in five gospel songbooks and one wedding songbook. Another of his songs, "It's Opening Day," was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame Archives in 1994. In 2003, Esther Haynes and The Swingin' Diners recorded "It's Opening Day" and featured it on the baseball song anthology CD, "Diamond Cuts: Top of the Sixth."
Blackman has been a guest speaker at songwriter workshops and music business seminars across the country.
He has been interviewed in various national and international magazines, such as "Music Row" and "American Songwriter," and has provided quotes for the books, "Your First Cut: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting There" and "The Musician's Guide to Nashville."
Blackman lives in Mt. Juliet, Tenn. In his free time, he enjoys yard work and playing softball.