The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) hosted its 2nd annual Nashville Songwriter Awards at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 17.
In addition to performances by Reba McEntire, Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Janson, Jason Aldean, Lee Brice, David Lee Murphy, Dean Dillon and more, the NSAI handed out a number of awards, including:
- Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award: Loretta Lynn
- Presidentâs Keystone Award: George Strait
- The White Hat Award: Senator Lamar Alexander
- Songwriter/Artist of the Year: Luke Combs
- Songwriter of the Year: Josh Osborne
- Song of the Year: âBreak Up In the Endâ by Cole Swindell; Writers: Chase McGill, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jon Nite
- â10 Songs I Wish Iâd Writtenâ Awards:
- âMeant to Beâ by Florida Georgia Line; Writers: Bebe Rexha, David Garcia, Josh Miller, Tyler Hubbard
- âWhiskey Glassesâ by Morgan Wallen; Writers: Ben Burgess, Kevin Kadishâ
- âDrunk Girlâ by Chris Janson; Writers: Chris Janson, Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas
- âGodâs Countryâ by Blake Shelton; Writers: Devin Dawson, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy
- âBurning Manâ by Dierks Bentley; Writers: Bobby Pinson, Luke Dick
- âTequilaâ by Dan + Shay: Writers: Dan Smyers, Jordan Reynolds, Nicolle Galyonâ
- âSome of Itâ by Eric Church; Writers: Bobby Pinson, Clint Daniels, Eric Church, Jeff Hyde
- âEverythingâs Gonna Be Alrightâ by David Lee Murphy; Writers: Chris Stevens, David lee Murphy, Jimmy Yeary
- âUp Downâ by Morgan Wallen; Writers: Brad Clawson, CJ Solar, Hardy
- âDrowns the Whiskeyâ by Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert; Writers: Brandon Kinney, Jeff Middleton, Josh Thompson
Loretta Lynn received the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions to the American songbook and inspiring the careers of others, while George Strait was honored with the Presidentâs Keystone Award in recognition of his contributions toward the betterment of all songwriters.
The Nashville Songwriter Awards were presented by the worldâs largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization that was established in 1967. The Nashville Songwriter Awards are voted by members of NSAI.
Check out our photos from the event, courtesy of photographer Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com.
photos by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com