“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.
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.
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.
Alan Jackson was honored with the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award (four days before the sad news of the passing of Kristofferson himself).
Three of Jackson’s co-written songs were performed during the ceremony: Hailey Whitters sang “Living’ On Love”, Lee Ann Womack sang “Here In The Real World” and “Midnight in Montgomery” was performed by Josh Turner.
The amazing and unique life and career of Buddy Cannon was recognized with the presentation of the NSAI President’s Keystone Award. Described by NSAI President Lee Thomas Miller as “a rare treasure”, Cannon has been a hit songwriter, music publisher, mentor and a remarkable record producer, helping to launch the career of many artists from Shania Twain to Kenny Chesney.
Jelly Roll received the well-deserved Songwriter-Artist of the Year Award. Jelly’s songs often unflinchingly reflect his own eventful life. He was recently named CMA’s “New Artist of the Year” and was nominated for “Best New Artist” at the Grammy Awards.
Many of the songwriters themselves were on hand to perform their versions of ‘Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written’ voted on by professional songwriter members of NSAI. Find the list of all eleven (!) songs and full writer/performer credits at my full article posted at Center Stage Mag here.
Lee Brice and I had a chance to catch up on the red carpet. Lee shared with me his motivation to become a singer and songwriter. He said it began when he was ten years old. “All I ever wanted to do was write a song for my girl,” he said, “surprise her on our wedding day, have it be on the radio, win awards, be on the CMAs and so on, make her feel like a princess. That was all I really wanted.” More of Lee’s remarks are in my report at Center Stage Mag.
The 8th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards return to the Ryman Auditorium on September 23rd, 2025. Find more information about NSAI and how the organization supports songwriters here.
Preshias Harris is an advocate for songwriters and a music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com. Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com. @PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris