A couple of area musicians have won some songwriting and performance awards in recent competitions.

Christian artist Joey Nicholson recently won the 2009 KCCM Song of the Year award at the Kansas City Christian Music Awards show in Kansas. Nicholson won for his song, "Live for You," which is a worship song set to piano.

Nicholson is a Gainesville-based recording artist and worship leader whose music ministry has led him to performing in churches and on mission trips. He formerly served as minister of music at North Georgia Worship Center in Gainesville, which is now Providence Church.

Buford native Shane Hulsey, guitarist and member of Rudy Vaughn, recently won the Hard Rock Calling Battle of the Bands. The band now gets a chance to open for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on June 28 at Hyde Park in London.

The band won the contest by winning the first two rounds, the judged semifinal round and winning the popular vote online. Members of the band will receive round-trip airfare, a hotel stay, spending cash and the chance to play on stage before Bruce Springsteen and the Dave Matthews Band.

Hulsey said the band isn't sure of their performance plans so they are creating different scenarios just in case.

"We're starting out with four songs all the way to an 11-song set ... just to cover the bases," he said. "I have no idea what to expect ... we are going to perform in front of potentially 100,000 people."

Members of Rudy Vaughn are Hulsey, Rudy Vaughn, Dan Bauman and Flowery Branch residents Emerson St. Pierre and Nathan Cooley.

For a chance to check out Rudy Vaughn before they head overseas, catch their performance tonight at 37 Main in Buford.