2023 Nashville Songwriter Awards Winners
Each year at the Nashville Songwriter Awards, songwriters and publishers are celebrated for the beloved songs they wrote and are awarded for their contributions to country music. Take a look at the highlights, see who won, and check out the sheet music of these award-winning songs!
Song of the Year
"Heart Like a Truck" recorded by Lainey Wilson and written by Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, and Lainey Wilson won this award, with a performance given by Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson.
Songwriter of the Year
Ashley Gorley won his seventh Songwriter of the Year award and performed his song "Give Heaven Some Hell."
Songwriter-Artist of the Year
Morgan Wallen took home this award, while a video from Miranda Lambert reminiscing on songwriting with him was shared.
"10 Songs I Wish I'd Written" Award Winners
"Anti-Hero": recorded by Taylor Swift, written by Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift.
"wait in the truck": recorded by HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson, written by Renee Blair, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, and Jordan Schmidt.
"What He Didn't Do": recorded by Carly Pearce, written by Ashley Gorley, Carly Pearce, and Emily Shackelton.
"Flower Shops": recorded by ERNEST feat. Morgan Wallen, written by Ben Burgess, Mark Holman, and Ernest Keith Smith.
"Thought You Should Know": recorded by Morgan Wallen, written by Nicolle Galyon, Miranda Lambert, and Morgan Wallen.
"Give Heaven Some Hell": recorded by HUNTER, written by Ashley Gorley, Michael Brady, Ben Johnson, and Hunter Phelps.
"Human": recorded by Cody Johnson, written by Tony Lane and Travis Meadows.
"Tennessee Orange": recorded by Megan Moroney, written by David Fanning, Megan Moroney, Paul Jenkins, and Ben Williams.
"You Proof": recorded by Morgan Wallen, written by Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Ernest Keith Smith, and Morgan Wallen.
Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is given to a songwriter who contributed significantly to the American songbook and inspired other artists with their work. Bobby Braddock received the award this year, presented to him by Garth Brooks. Tributes to Braddock included performances from Blake Shelton of "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and Toby Keith performed "I Wanna Talk About Me." Both songs were helped written by Braddock.
NSAI President's Keystone Award
Chosen by the President of NSAI, the recipient of this award is honored for all they have done for the good of songwriters. Tim McGraw was honored with this award, expressing his thanks to songwriters who helped him find his own success. Lori McKenna performed his song "Humble and Kind," which she had written.
NSAI Advocacy Award
This award went to an individual who has been a significant advocate for American songwriters, David Israelite, the Chairman and CEO of the National Music Publishers' Association. Brett Young performed Israelite's favorite song, "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen.
Some of our team from Musicnotes was there and had this to say about the event:
"I thought it was really cool hearing Ashley Gorley play one of his songs live! He sang 'Give Heaven Some Hell' because it was nominated for the '10 Songs I Wish I'd Written'. Anyone who has ever looked at the credits of most popular country music today would recognize his name, but getting to hear him actually play was a treat!"
"Hearing Blake Shelton sing George Jones' 'He Stopped Loving Her Today' was pretty sweet."
We even have a few Song Spotlight videos we have made with a couple of the award winners from our YouTube channel for you to enjoy: