Part-timer joins pop giants on Ivor award list

A little-known musician working in a warehouse for a living and without a record deal was nominated for a coveted Ivor Novello Award today, joining some of the giants of British pop including Coldplay and Duffy.

Nicholas Hemming, 35, is on the shortlist for best song musically and lyrically for "The Last of the Melting Snow" which he wrote and performed with indie band The Leisure Society.

The single was released in December to critical acclaim, but failed to break into the top 40 in the UK singles charts despite extensive radio play.

According to Ivor organisers, Elbow frontman Guy Garvey named it his favourite song of 2008. Up against Hemming and his song is none other than Elbow for "One Day Like This."

As well as The Last of the Melting Snow, Hemming has written and performed music for films including "A Room for Romeo Brass" and "Dean Man's Shoes."

"I worked in a record shop for many years and I can remember reading about the Ivors, thinking how it would be the coolest award to win as it's decided on artistic rather than commercial merit," Hemming said.

"I went straight on to the Ivors website after I'd received the nomination letter and found endorsements from Paul McCartney and John Barry, two of my biggest musical heroes."

The annual Ivor awards honour songwriters and composers who are often eclipsed by the more famous acts who perform their works.

Welsh singer/songwriter Duffy and Coldplay lead the nominations with three apiece, in a re-run of their showdown at the Brit awards in February. Duffy won that contest hands down, walking off with three awards. Coldplay won none.

The two acts are nominated in the same categories - most performed work, best-selling British song and the album award.

Elbow and The Ting Tings have two nominations each.

The awards ceremony will be held in London on 21 May.

The main nominations:

1. Best song musically & lyrically:

- My Mistakes Were Made For You/The Last Shadow Puppets

Writers: Miles Kane, Alex Turner

- One Day Like This/Elbow

Writers: Guy Garvey, Richard Jupp, Craig Potter, Mark Potter, Peter Turner

- The Last Of The Melting Snow/The Leisure Society

Writer: Nicholas Hemming

2. Best contemporary song

- Dance Wiv Me/Dizzee Rascal

Writers: Nicholas Detnon, Calvin Harris, Dylan Mills, Tyrone Paul

- Grounds For Divorce/Elbow

Writers: Guy Garvey, Richard Jupp, Craig Potter, Mark Potter, Peter Turner

- That's Not My Name/The Ting Tings

Writers: Julian De Martino, Katie White

3. Most performed work

- Mercy/Duffy

Writers: Steve Booker, Duffy

- Sweet About Me/Gabriella Cilmi

Writers: Gabriella Cilmi, Nicholas Coler, Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Timothy Larcombe, Tim Powell

- Viva La Vida/Coldplay

Writers: Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, Chris Martin

4. Best selling British song

- Mercy/Duffy

Writers: Steve Booker, Duffy

- Paper Planes/M.I.A.

Writers: Maya Arulpragasam, Topper Headon, Mick Jones, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Paul Simonon, Joe Strummer

- Viva La Vida/Coldplay

Writers: Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, Chris Martin

5. Album award

- Rockferry/Duffy

Writers: Bernard Butler, Duffy

- Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends/Coldplay

Writers: Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, Chris Martin

- We Started Nothing/The Ting Tings

Writers: Julian De Martino, Katie White