Ryman Auditorium Filled With Celebration and Song at The 8th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards presented by City National Bank
Josh Phillips honored with 2025 NSAI 'Song of the Year' award for “Dirt Cheap”
September 24, 2025 (Nashville, Tenn.) – Last night, the historic Ryman Auditorium opened its doors to music fans, industry members, songwriters, friends and family, as 42 individuals were celebrated as standouts in the field of songwriting. Developed by The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), The Nashville Songwriter Awards annual ceremony honors the unseen creators behind songs heard around the world, and for the 8th year in a row, presenting partner City National Bank, brought the celebration to life!
“City National Bank is proud to celebrate the craft and impact of songwriters through our ongoing partnership with The Nashville Songwriter Awards," said Diane Pearson and Lori Badgett, senior vice presidents, Entertainment & Sports Banking Nashville, City National Bank. "These awards recognize the artistry and creative storytelling that help bring music to life and inspire audiences around the world."
Pictured (L-R): Lee Thomas Miller (NSAI Board President), Tim Nichols, Chris Tompkins, Marc Beeson, Ashley Gorley (Songwriter of the Year), Kyle Sturrock, Aaron Eshuis, Bart Herbison (NSAI Executive Director), Brenda Lee (NSAI President's Keystone Award Honoree), Randy Owen of ALABAMA (Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient), Lalo Guzman, Josh Dorr, Johnny Clawson, Jon Decious, Daniel Ross, Cameron Jaymes, Jimmy Yeary, Josh Ross, Travis Denning, Kelly Archer, Matthew West (Songwriter-Artist of the Year), Chris Stevens, Jennifer Turnbow (NSAI Chief Operating Officer) / Photo Credit: Tom Turk
The show began with a heartfelt tribute to NSAI founding member Kris Kristofferson, as Lukas Nelson took to the stage in remembrance of the songwriting icon and namesake to NSAI's Lifetime Achievement Award. Nelson, often citing Kristofferson as a great inspiration for his life and career, performed “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again),” written and released by Kristofferson in 1971. Lisa Kristofferson attended in honor of her husband, and she graciously presented this year's Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award to 2025 honorees, Teddy Gentry, Randy Owen, and Jeff Cook(honored posthumously), known collectively as the unrivaled country group, ALABAMA. To celebrate ALABAMA's achievement, Jason Aldean took to the stage to perform “My Home's In Alabama” (written by Gentry and Owen), and Lorrie Morgan shared her rendition of “There's No Way” (written by John Jarrard, Lisa Palas and Will Robinson), accompanied by current ALABAMA touring bandmember, Gordon Mote.
Pictured L-R: Jason Aldean, Randy Owen of ALABAMA (Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree),
Lisa Kristofferson, Kelly Owen / Photo Credit: Jason Davis
Gordon Mote performs a medley of ALABAMA songs, honoring their achievement of earning
NSAI's Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award / Photo Credit: Jason Davis
Lorrie Morgan performing “There's No Way," to honor ALABAMA's achievement / Photo Credit: Jason Davis
“Little Miss Dynamite,” Brenda Lee, added another recognition to her long list of career successes as the recipient of NSAI's 2025 President's Keystone Award and was honored with a performance by Trisha Yearwood of “Sweet Nothin's” (written by Ronnie Self). Since achieving her first Billboard hit at the age of 12, Lee has become one of the most successful American artists of the 20th century, recording iconic songs such as “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” (written by Johnny Marks) and “I'm Sorry” (written by Dub Allbritten and Ronnie Self). Throughout her career, she has not only marked her place in music history, she has provided significant contributions to the music industry and acted for the betterment of all songwriters, earning her this distinguished honor.
Trisha Yearwood celebrates onstage with Brenda Lee, the 2025 NSAI President's Keystone Award Recipient.
Photo Credit: Jason Davis
Lee Thomas Miller (NSAI Board President), Brenda Lee (NSAI President's Keystone Award Recipient), Trisha Yearwood / Photo credit: Jason Davis
A third award of “iconic” measure was given to pay homage to a song selected by NSAI's professional songwriting membership as one of the most influential and inspirational songs released during the defined timeframe of 1968-1984. The recipient of 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.
Caylee Hammack performing NSAI's 2025 Legendary Song, “I Will Always Love You,” written by Dolly Parton /
Photo Credit: Jason Davis
Another category of awards recognized 37 songwriters throughout the evening for the peer-to-peer voted 10 Songs I Wish I'd Written awards, where individuals walked away with the ultimate feat, acknowledgement and admiration of their craft from fellow songwriters. The song earning the highest number of votes during the balloting process for the '10 Songs' was celebrated as NSAI's Song of the Year, and songwriter Josh Phillips accepted the accolade for his solo-penned hit song, “Dirt Cheap” (recorded by Cody Johnson).
Josh Phillips, NSAI 2025 Songwriter of the Year. Photo Credit: Tom Turk
Josh Phillips, NSAI 2025 Songwriter of the Year with Lee Thomas Miller (NSAI Board President) / Photo Credit: Jason Davis
For the performances honoring Song of the Year and the 10 Songs I Wish I'd Written awards, nearly all songs were performed by the songwriters themselves, giving those in attendance an inside look at what the song sounded like the day it was created. Ella Langley surprised the audience and joined co-writer Aaron Raitiere onstage to perform a unique version of “You Look Like You Love Me”, and Ian Munsick shared his version of “Espresso” to honor writers Amy Allen, Julian Bunetta, Sabrina Carpenter, and Steph Jones for their accomplishment.
Pictured Top: Ian Musick and Jonathan Warren performing “Espresso,” voted one of the 2025 10 Songs I Wish I'd Written / Photo Credit: Tom Turk
Pictured Bottom: Co-writers Ella Langley and Aaron Raitiere performing their 10 Song I Wish I'd Written Award-winning song “You Look Like You Love Me” (co-written with Riley Green) / Photo credit: Jason Davis
Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year for a record ninth time, celebrated with songs by Tyler Hubbard, who performed “Park” (written by Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Tyler Hubbard, Canaan Smith), and Dylan Scott, who performed “This Town's Been Too Good To Us” (written by John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Dylan Scott, Taylor Phillips).
Tyler Hubbard and Ashley Gorley (NSAI 2025 Songwriter of the Year) backstage at The Ryman / Photo Credit: Jason Davis
Dylan Scott performing “This Town's Been Too Good To Us” to honor Ashley Gorley (2025 NSAI Songwriter of the Year) /
Photo Credit: Jason Davis
NSAI's 2025 Songwriter-Artist of the Year was revealed to be Matthew West who received the title for the second time and fellow artist and co-writer Anne Wilson participated in the ceremony to honor West with a performance of their co-written hit “My Jesus” (written by Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Anne Wilson).
Pictured L-R: Bart Herbison (NSAI Executive Director, Matthew West (NSAI 2025 Songwriter-Artist of the Year), Lee Thomas Miller (NSAI Board President) / Photo Credit: Jason Davis
Anne Wilson performing “My Jesus” to celebrate Matthew West being named NSAI's 2025 Songwriter-Artist of the Year / Photo Credit: Jason Davis
Staying true to its name, the 8th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards presented by City National Bank kept the spotlight on songwriters and shared the magic behind how a song is written and heard through the creators' mind and hearts. NSAI's annual awards will return for the 9th annual ceremony on September 22, 2026 to Ryman Auditorium continuing the cherished event once again!
COMPLETE LIST OF AWARD-WINNERS AND CATEGORIES
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Dirt Cheap” Written by Josh Phillips
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Ashley Gorley
SONGWRITER-ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Matthew West
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
ALABAMA
Given in recognition to a songwriter whose works have made a significant
contribution to the American songbook and who has inspired the careers of others.
NSAI PRESIDENT'S KEYSTONE AWARD
Brenda Lee
Given in recognition of significant contributions to the betterment of all songwriters, chosen by the current NSAI President.
LEGENDARY SONG
“I Will Always Love You” Written by Dolly Parton
'10 SONGS I WISH I'D WRITTEN' AWARDS
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.
“4X4XU”
Written by: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
(recorded by: Lainey Wilson)
“Espresso”
Written by: Amy Allen, Julian Bunetta, Sabrina Carpenter, Steph Jones
(recorded by: Sabrina Carpenter)
“I Had Some Help”
Written by: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Jonathan Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters
(recorded by: Morgan Wallen feat. Post Malone)
“I Never Lie”
Written by: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
(recorded by: Zach Top)
“I'm Gonna Love You”
Written by: Kelly Archer, Travis Denning, Chris Stevens
(recorded by: Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood)
“Lies Lies Lies”
Written by: Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Miller, Daniel Ross, Chris Tompkins
(recorded by: Morgan Wallen)
“One Bad Habit”
Written by: Marc Beeson, Aaron Eshuis, Tony Lane
(recorded by: Tim McGraw)
“She's Somebody's Daughter (Reimagined)”
Written by: Drew Baldridge, Cameron Jaymes, Jimmy Yeary
(recorded by: Drew Baldridge)
“Texas”
Written by: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
(recorded by: Blake Shelton)
“You Look Like You Love Me”
Written by: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
(recorded by: Ella Langley feat. Riley Green)
A special thank you to our official partners: City National Bank, Loeb & Loeb, General Motors, Blueprint Underground Cocktail Club, Recording Industry Association of America, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, Jack Daniel's, Musicnotes, Recording Academy Songwriters & Composers Wing, SoundExchange, Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, and The Mechanical Licensing Collective.
Produced each year by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, the award show supports the world's largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization dedicated to protecting the rights of and serving aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music. Follow @nsaiofficial / #songwriterawards on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on all announcements and news year round.
