WINNERS REVEALED AT 5TH ANNUAL NASHVILLE SONGWRITER AWARDS
Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins awarded the
2022 NSAI ‘Song of the Year’ Honor For “Buy Dirt”
A sold out crowd at the Ryman Auditorium experienced a night to remember Tuesday September 20 as NSAI, alongside presenting partner City National Bank, celebrated the 5th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards. An evening filled with heartfelt speeches, emotional stories and incredible performances, over 20 songwriters and artists took the stage throughout the ceremony to pay tribute to the honorees and award-winning songs. GARTH BROOKS (Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award), ASHLEY GORLEY (Songwriter of the Decade) and TAYLOR SWIFT (Songwriter-Artist of the Decade) were honored with milestone achievements, and another top honor of the night, ‘Song of the Year,’ was awarded to Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins for “Buy Dirt” (recorded by Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan). Gorley was named ‘Songwriter of the Year’ for a record-breaking 6th time and MATTHEW WEST earned ‘Songwriter-Artist of the Year,’ making him now only the second-ever Christian genre songwriter-artist to receive the title. In addition, 11 songs in total were celebrated as winners in the cherished peer-voted ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ award category!
Previously announced recipient, Jon Platt, Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO, was presented with the President’s Keystone Award by NSAI Board President, Steve Bogard and celebrated with a performance of “Rich Man” by LITTLE BIG TOWN, and to honor Brooks and his lifetime of achievements, Luke Combs sang “Beaches of Cheyenne,” and legendary songwriters Pat Alger, Kent Blazy and Tony Arata, performed a medley of hits, concluding with “The Dance”.
Throughout the night, the audience was thrilled with several special appearances, including Anne Wilson who joined Matthew West at the top of the show to perform “Me On Your Mind,” Sam Hunt who joined the stage performing “23” alongside Chris LaCorte and Josh Osborne, Kelsea Ballerini who sang “Half Of My Hometown” with Nicolle Galyon and Jimmy Robbins, and Larry Fleet who performed a moving rendition of “Sand In My Boots”.
In a stunning close to the show, the final surprise of the night was an appearance by Taylor Swift, who took center stage after receiving her Songwriter-Artist of the Decade Award, where she performed “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)”, bringing the Ryman audience to their feet as they sang along to close out the show.
Additional artist appearances that filled the night included: Parmalee, HARDY, GAYLE, Alana Springsteen, Walker Hayes, Tigirlily, Thomas Rhett and Babyface, as well as many of the incredible award-winning songwriters.
“On behalf of City National Bank, we would like to congratulate the winners of the 5th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards – particularly Garth Brooks, Ashley Gorley, Matthew West and Taylor Swift for their milestones,” said Diane Pearson and Lori Badgett, Co-Heads of City National Bank Entertainment Division, Nashville. “We are thrilled a sold out crowd at the Ryman Auditorium helped us celebrate songwriters from across the music community!”
Bringing one of the NSAI’s mission pillars to the forefront, the Nashville Songwriter Awards, now it its 5th year, is truly a night all about celebrating songwriters and their importance to the community at large and beyond. The annual awards are set to return to the Ryman Auditorium Fall 2023.