SESAC celebrates songwriters, publishers during 2016 Nashville Music Awards

SESAC, the nation’s most progressive PRO and the only Music Rights Organization in the country, kicked off CMA Week by honoring the songwriters and music publishers behind the year’s most-performed Country and Americana songs at the organization’s Nashville Music Awards held Sunday, October 30th at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Josh Hoge, who topped the charts with smash hits such as “I’m Comin’ Over” by Chris Young, “Think of You” by Chris Young and Cassadee Pope, along with singles from social media sensation Kane Brown, was named SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year.

“Somewhere On A Beach,” written by Jaron Boyer and Michael Tyler, published by Jaron Boyer Music and peertunes ltd., and recorded by Dierks Bentley was named SESAC Song of the Year.

Sony/ATV/EMI Foray Publishing and Write 2 Be Free Music was honored as Publisher of the Year at the event.

The awards dinner featured an evening of memorable musical performances, including Chris Young’s acoustic version of “I’m Comin’ Over,” Margo Price’s unforgettable “Desperate and Depressed,” and performances by two of the hottest newcomers, Michael Tyler and Runaway June. Guest presenters included Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Jim Lauderdale, Dustin Lynch, Cassadee Pope and Chris Young.

The festive black-tie event, hosted by Shannan Hatch, SESAC’s vice president of Creative Services, honored top songwriters and publishers behind the year’s biggest hits in the genres of Country and Americana. SESAC is the only PRO that awards songwriters and publishers in Americana music. More than 500 songwriters, publishers and industry professionals attended the gala evening.

The list of award winners is as follows:

“Hell Of A Night”
Written by Jaron Boyer
Published by peertunes, Ltd.
Recorded by Dustin Lynch

“I’m Comin’ Over”
Written by Josh Hoge
Published by Write 2 Be Free Music
Sony ATV/EMI Foray Music
Recorded by Chris Young

“We Went”
Written by Justin Wilson
Published by Legends of Magic Mustang Music
Recorded by Randy Houser

“Homegrown”
Written by Zac Brown, Niko Moon, Wyatt Durrette
Published by Day for the Dead Publishing, Siva Moon Publishing, Rosest Music, WBM Music Corp.
Recorded by Zac Brown Band

“Castaway”
Written by Zac Brown, Niko Moon, Wyatt Durrette
Published by Day for the Dead Publishing, Siva Moon Publishing, Rosest Music, WBM Music Corp.
Recorded by Zac Brown Band

“Beautiful Drug”
Written by Zac Brown, Niko Moon
Published by Day for the Dead Publishing, Siva Moon Publishing, WBM Music Corp.
Recorded by Zac Brown Band

“Somewhere On A Beach”
Written by Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler
Published by Jaron Boyer Music, peertunes, LTD.
Recorded by Dierks Bentley

“Peter Pan”
Written by Jesse Lee
Recorded by Kelsea Ballerini

“Think Of You”
Written by Josh Hoge
Published by Write 2 Be Free Music, Sony ATV/EMI Foray Music
Recorded by Chris Young

“Kiss You In The Morning”
Written by Justin Wilson
Published by Legends of Magic Mustang Music
Recorded by Michael Ray

“Real Men Love Jesus”
Written by Lance Miller
Published by Spirit Nashville Three, Melvin’s Pistol Music, Melvin’s Bullets Music, WBM Music Corp.
Recorded by Michael Ray

“It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To”
Written by Cary Barlowe
Published by We Be Pawtying, Castle Bound Music
Recorded by Billy Currington

“Wasted Time”
Written by James Abrahart Jr.
Published by Jayded Ink Publishing, 360 Music
Recorded by Keith Urban

Americana:
True Sadness
Contributions by Seth Avett, Scott Avett, Bob Crawford
Published by First Big Snow Publishing, NEMOIVMUSIC, Truth Comes True Publishing, Ramseur Family Fold Music
Recorded by Avett Brothers

Exodus Of Venus
Contributions by Elizabeth Cook
Published by Agent Love Music
Recorded by Elizabeth Cook

Lovers and Leavers
Contributions by Hayes Carll, Allison Moorer, Jim Lauderdale
Published by Highway 87 Publishing, Sky Eye Music, Peteybug Tunes, W B M Music Corp
Recorded by Hayes Carll

Wynonna & The Big Noise
Contributions by Kevin Welch
Published by Universal Tunes, Spur 66 Music
Recorded by Wynonna & The Big Noise

Things That Can’t Be Undone
Contributions by Corb Lund, Jason Eady
Published by Corb Lund Music, Inc., Jason Eady Music
Recorded by Corb Lund

Midwest Farmer’s Daughter
Contributions by Margo Price, Jeremy Ivey
Published by Peach Pit and Fisheye
Recorded by Margo Price

Full Circle
Contributions by Bruce Burch
Published by Bruce Burch Music, Inc.
Recorded by Loretta Lynn

Soul Searching
Contributions by Jim Lauderdale
Published by Sky Eye Music
Recorded by Jim Lauderdale

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com