Songs, songwriters honored at Nashville Songwriter Awards

“The Painter” wins Song of the Year

by Preshias Harris

All photographs in this story copyright (c) 2024 Tori Perry.

It is the one night a year when songwriters step into the spotlight to be recognized by their peers and the music industry for the amazing songs they create that can literally change the lives of so many people. It’s a sad fact that many of those people have no idea who wrote the songs they hear, performed by the recording artists they love.

On September 24, the 7th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, produced by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and presented by City National Bank, took over the stage at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins (holding their awards) prepare to sing “The Painter” the Number One hit recorded by Cody Johnson. Photo: Tori Perry

Read my full report, including red carpet interviews, full details about the award winners and all eleven (!) of the ‘Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written’ at Center Stage Mag here.

The prestigious ‘Song of the Year’ Award went to “The Painter” penned by Benny Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins, recorded by Cody Johnson, topping the Billboard Country Airplay charts.

Ashley Gorley makes his acceptance remarks after receiving ‘Songwriter of the Year’ Award for the eighth time. Photo: Tori Perry

Songwriter phenom Ashley Gorley received the Songwriter of the Year Award for a record-setting eighth time. Ashley, who is overdue for inclusion in the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame (just sayin’!), has scored at least seventy-nine Number One hits in a career that is still going strong.

Denise Jackson reacts to hubby Alan Jackson’s remarks during the ceremony. Photo: Tori Perry

Alan Jackson was honored with the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award (four days before the sad news of the passing of Kristofferson himself).

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