Nashville Songwriter Awards fill Ryman Auditorium with music and memories
By Preshias Harris and Kayla Slater
The 2025 Nashville Songwriter Awards, held traditionally in September, is always an opportunity to recognize the best of the best, and this year’s event was no exception. In addition to naming the Songwriter of the Year and Songwriter-Artist of the Year, other presentations included the Song of the Year Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Legendary Song Award and the President’s Keystone Award, as well as the unique Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written Awards. The event was staged by Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) at the famed Ryman Auditorium and presented by City National Bank.
Such a great evening, and you can read my full story about the Awards (and some of the red carpet interviews that my colleague Kayla Slater and I carried out) here at Center Stage Magazine.
The Song of the Year Award went to Josh Phillips for his solo-write (something of a rarity these days) of “Dirt Cheap” recorded by Cody Johnson. Phillips had written the song with Luke Combs in mind, but when Combs chose not to cut it, Phillips passed it on to Cody Johnson. The song, produced by Trent Willmon, peaked at No. 5 on Country Airplay and No. 14 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs.
Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year for the fourth consecutive year and nine years in total (so far!) – an unparalleled achievement – in the same year as he was elevated to the national Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in NYC. Tyler Hubbard performed “Park” (written by Gorley, Hubbard, Jesse Frasure and Canaan Smith), and Dylan Scott performed “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” (written by Gorley, Scott, John Byron, Charlie Handsome and Taylor Phillips).
The 2025 Songwriter-Artist of the Year Award went to second-time winner Matthew West. Co-writer Anne Wison honored West by performing “My Jesus” (written by West and Wilson alongside Jeff Pardo).
Brenda Lee, known affectionately as “Little Miss Dynamite,” received the President’s Keystone Award in recognition of her long career of career successes. The second Legendary Song Award ever given by NSAI went to “I Will Always Love You” written by Dolly Parton. The monumental song then filled the auditorium with a stunning tribute sung by Caylee Hammack.
The evening got under way when Lukas Nelson was on hand to perform the iconic 1971 Kris Kristofferson song, “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again).” The band Alabama was then honored with the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. Randy Owen received the award on behalf of bandmates Teddy Gentry and the late Jeff Cook. Jason Aldean and Lorrie Morgan (along with Alabama touring bandmember Gordon Mote) took the stage to sing some favorite Alabama hits.
Each year, the highly-coveted ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written Awards’ are 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, 2024, and April 30, 2025. The NSAI Song Of The Year is the highest vote-getter. Find a full list of the ten songs and the writing credits here.
Preparations are already under way for the 2026 Nashville Songwriter Awards, set for Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
Again, read our featured article and red carpet interviews here at Center Stage Magazine, and find more about NSAI and how they support 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