The Nashville Songwriter Awards Returns To The Ryman on September 24th
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), alongside presenting partner City National Bank, has announced the seventh annual Nashville Songwriter Awards. Returning to Ryman Auditorium on September 24th, the celebration will honor the peer-voted 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written awards, NSAI’s Song, Songwriter, and Songwriter-Artist of the Year, and will recognize pivotal individuals who have had great influence in the world of songwriting.
It has been revealed that the organization’s highest honor of the evening, the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to legendary songwriter and recording artist Alan Jackson. Throughout his career, Jackson has earned an astounding list of awards, recognized by the Grammys, the Academy of Country Music (ACM), the Country Music Association (CMA), and the American Music Awards (AMAs), and he has earned stars on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Music City Walk of Fame. In 2012 Jackson was awarded CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2017 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Amassing 26 No. 1 songs over the past 30 years, Jackson’s impact on songwriting and the music industry is forever etched in history with enduring hits such as “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” “Chattahoochee,” “Gone Country,” “Remember When,” “Drive (for Daddy Gene),” “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Where I Come From,” “Wanted,” “Little Man,” “Who’s Cheatin’ Who,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” with Jimmy Buffett, “Murder on Music Row” with George Strait, and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).”
“When the NSAI Board of Directors chose Alan Jackson as this year’s recipient of the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, I knew they had made a fantastic choice,” states Jennifer Turnbow, NSAI Chief Operating Officer. “I was eager to craft a segment of our annual awards show around his work as a songwriter. But, it wasn’t until I really studied his body of work and recalled decades of his songs that I realized just how deserving he was of this recognition. Alan’s songs, many of which he wrote by himself, have marked significant moments in time and are etched into the memories of multiple generations. Choosing only a handful of his many hits to highlight in a celebration of his career will be incredibly challenging…that I’m looking forward to!”
Jackson will be the sixth artist to receive the elite award, followed by Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Bill Anderson, Garth Brooks, and songwriter Bobby Braddock.
Each year, NSAI’s Board President has the opportunity to present an individual with the President’s Keystone Award, and this year the incomparable producer and songwriter Buddy Cannon will be celebrated to honor his significant contributions to the industry and betterment of all songwriters. Perhaps best known for his work producing Kenny Chesney and Willie Nelson, Cannon started playing bass for Bob Luman and Mel Tillis. The latter saw songwriting potential and was proven right when Cannon co-wrote iconic songs including “Set ‘Em Up Joe,” “I’ve Come To Expect It From You,” “Dream Of Me” and “Give It Away.” As an A&R executive, he contributed to signing and developing Shania Twain and Billy Ray Cyrus. In the studio, he’s shepherded projects by Alison Krauss, George Jones, Reba McEntire, Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery, and many others. Cannon is a three-time Grammy honoree for his work with Nelson, the 2006 Academy of Country Music Producer of the Year, and a 2021 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame. He and Chesney just notched their 35th No. 1 together – “Take Her Home.”
Beginning this year, NSAI will also commemorate one song chosen by NSAI’s professional songwriting members as the Legendary Song of its time, beginning with songs from 1967-1983. The NSAI board of directors carefully selected 10 impactful songs in the given range, and the pro membership anonymously voted to determine the winning song. The first-ever Legendary Song Award recipient will be revealed and performed at the show.
Performer announcement and ticket information will be revealed in the coming weeks with an on-sale set for July 26th.
