Last night (8/24), songwriters, industry professionals, and music enthusiasts gathered at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium for the 7th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards (NSAI), presented by City National Bank.
The event featured a variety of performances and announced the winners of several prestigious awards, including Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Songwriter-Artist of the Year, the 2024 Legendary Song award, and the “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” awards.
Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, and Ryan Larkins earned the Song of the Year award for their Cody Johnson-recorded hit “The Painter.” Meanwhile, Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year, and Jelly Roll was honored as Songwriter-Artist of the Year.
NSAI honored Country Music Hall of Famer Alan Jackson with the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award and presented the NSAI President’s Keystone Award to legendary songwriter and producer Buddy Cannon.
Here is the complete list of winners:
SONG OF THE YEAR:
“The Painter” written by Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:
Ashley Gorley
SONGWRITER-ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Jelly Roll
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
Given in recognition to a songwriter whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook and who has inspired the careers of others.
Alan Jackson
NSAI PRESIDENT’S KEYSTONE AWARD:
Given in recognition of significant contributions to the betterment of all songwriters, chosen by the current NSAI President.
Buddy Cannon
“10 SONGS I WISH I’D WRITTEN” AWARDS:
Voted on by Professional Songwriter Members of NSAI honoring the work of their songwriter peers. Songs eligible for the award have at least one Nashville-based writer and charted in the top 20 of Billboard Airplay chart in the Christian, Country, Mainstream Top 40, and/or Rock genres between May 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024. The NSAI Song of the Year is the highest vote-getter.
“Handle On You” Written by Monty Criswell, Parker McCollum (recorded by Parker McCollum)
“I’m Not Pretty” Written by Mackenzie Carpenter, Micah Carpenter, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams (recorded by Megan Moroney)
“Last Night” Written by John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, and Jacob Kasher Hindlin (recorded by Morgan Wallen)
“Man Made A Bar” Written by: Rocky Block, Jordan Dozzi, Larry Fleet, Brett Tyler (recorded by Eric Church and Morgan Wallen)
“Need A Favor” Written by Jelly Roll, Austin Nivarel, Joe Ragosta, and Rob Ragosta (recorded by Jelly Roll)
“Next Thing You Know” Written by Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne (recorded by Jordan Davis)
“Pretty Little Poison” Written by Ryan Beaver, Jared Keim, and Warren Zeiders (recorded by Warren Zeiders)
“Standing Room Only” Written by Tommy Cecil, Patrick Murphy, and Craig Wiseman (recorded by Tim McGraw)
“Try That In A Small Town” Written by Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace, and Neil Thrasher (recorded by Jason Aldean)
“Where The Wild Things Are” Written by Randy Montana and Dave Turnbull (recorded by Luke Combs)
“White Horse” Written by Chris Stapleton and Dan Wilson (recorded by Chris Stapleton)
