DAVID SISSON
STEVE HICKMAN
DAVID SISSON
STEVE HICKMAN
SONGWRITER
~ story and photos by Mandi Rainwater
Four talented singer-songwriters will take the stage at the Brown County Playhouse on November 15, 2025, to compete in the finals for the Songwriter Showdown. The annual competition, organized by the Brown County Music Association and Rainwater Studios with support from the Indiana Donor Network, spotlights rising original artists.
The winner receives $ 1,500. If they produce an album within the coming year, they also get a robust album release package that includes 500 pressed CDs designed by Brenton Marketing, professional photography by Tom Preston, and a Facebook marketing campaign managed by Dave Watson. The winner will also open the 2026 Amplify Nashville concert at the Brown County Music Center and open for a future touring act at the Brown County Playhouse. Here’ s a closer look at this year’ s finalists.
DAVID SISSON
David Sisson’ s roots stretch deep in the hills and hollers of Brown County. His great-grandparents raised 18 children here, and he’ s a proud graduate of Brown County High School.
Sisson’ s music is best described as authentic roots Americana with bluegrass undertones. His sound is inspired in large part by local legend Frank Jones, who gave him his first guitar lessons.“ Frank has been super generous with his knowledge and time over the years,” Sisson says.
Sisson has written around 30 original songs, many of which are collaborations with Sam Love. If he takes home the prize, he hopes to finish and release a full-length solo debut album.
“ For me, my main goal is to just get my album out there where people can enjoy it,” he says.
You can find David Sisson on Facebook and hear more of his work on the Rainwater Studios YouTube channel.
STEVE HICKMAN
A familiar face in the Brown County music scene, Steve Hickman’ s raw, soulful country is gritty and genuine. His gravelly voice and lived-in lyrics carry hard-earned wisdom.
Hickman is a prolific songwriter with thousands of songs penned and about 30 that regularly appear in his setlists. Hickman frequently plays in and around Brown County, both solo and with his band Hickman and The Hard Knocks.
With the support of his fans, Hickman placed in the 2024 Showdown finals and tied for the win in Rainwater Studios’ Take the Stage competition in 2023.
62 Our Brown County • Nov./ Dec. 2025
Meet the
DAVID SISSON
STEVE HICKMAN