The annual SESAC Nashville Music Awards celebrated the year’s most-performed country and Americana songs, honoring songwriters and music publishers. The event, held at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, was an exciting kick-off to CMA Awards week in Nashville.
Michael Tyler was named SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year, recognized for his hit songs “Cowboy Songs” (George Birge), “Holy Smokes” (Bailey Zimmerman), and “This Heart” (Corey Kent). To commemorate this achievement, Tyler received a custom guitar from Gibson and a one-of-a-kind ring from Jostens.
The evening’s big winner was “Am I Okay?” by Megan Moroney, which took home SESAC’s Song of the Year award. Co-writer Jessie Jo Dillon surprised Moroney with the award during the celebration. Warner Chappell Music was also recognized as Publisher of the Year after winning multiple awards.
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The night featured several surprise performances, including Kelsea Ballerini presenting her longtime co-writer and producer Alysa Vanderheym with an award for the song “Baggage,” their collaboration on Kelsea’s new EP Mount Pleasant. Stephen Wilson Jr. opened the show with a heartfelt performance of his new single “Gary,” ahead of his 2026 tour. Emily Ann Roberts paid tribute to SESAC affiliates Jim Lauderdale and Steve Bogard with a performance of their hits “Carried Away” and “Hole In My Head.” Megan Moroney also performed her latest single “Beautiful Things,” building anticipation for her upcoming album Cloud 9 due out in February.
The event, hosted by SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, ET Brown, and Lydia Cahill, attracted over 500 songwriters, publishers, and music industry professionals. It was sponsored by Hatef Aesthetics.
SESAC Nashville Music Awards Honorees:
“Am I Okay?”
Written and performed by Megan Moroney
Published by: Megan Moroney
Recorded by: Megan Moroney
“Boys Back Home”
Written by: Joe Fox
Published by: Real Bad Songs, Liz Rose Music, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: Dylan Marlowe and Dylan Scott
“Cowboy Songs”
Written by: Lalo Guzman, Matt McGinn, Michael Tyler
Published by: MT Room, Boom Town Songs, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: George Birge
“I Am Not Okay”
Written by: Casey Brown
Published by: Track & Feels, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: Jelly Roll
“Holy Smokes”
Written by: Michael Tyler
Published by: MT Room, Young Guns Tunes
Recorded by: Bailey Zimmerman
“Relapse”
Written by: Justin Ebach
Published by: El Chapo Music
Recorded by: Warren Zeiders
“Single Again”
Written by: Joe Fox
Published by: Real Bad Songs, Liz Rose Music, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: Josh Ross
“Texas”
Written by: Lalo Guzman
Published by: SMACKWORKS Music
Recorded by: Blake Shelton
“This Heart”
Written by: Blake Bollinger, Michael Tyler
Published by: MT Room, Young Guns Tunes
Recorded by: Corey Kent
“Truck On Fire”
Written by: Justin Ebach
Published by: Phat Racoon, Universal Tunes
Recorded by: Carly Pearce
“Wind Up Missin’ You”
Written by: Chris LaCorte
Published by: Card Tables Music, Hang Your Hat Hits
Recorded by: Tucker Wetmore
“Baggage”
Written by: Alysa Vanderheym
Published by: Vandeezy Songs, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: Kelsea Ballerini
“Break It Right Back”
Written by: Rob Hatch, Megan Moroney
Published by: Shannanigans Publishing
Recorded by: Megan Moroney
“Happen to Me”
Written by: Chris LaCorte
Published by: Card Tables Music
Recorded by: Russell Dickerson
“Caroline”
Written by: Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett
Published by: Universal Polygram International Tunes Inc
Recorded by: Mumford & Sons
“Rushmere”
Written by: Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett
Published by: Universal Polygram International Tunes Inc
Recorded by: Mumford & Sons
“Progress of Man (Bitcoin & Cattle)”
Written by: Hayes Carll
Published by: Highway 87 Publishing
Recorded by: Hayes Carll
“Any Other Way”
Written by: Hayes Carll
Published by: Highway 87 Publishing
Recorded by: Hayes & The Heathens
“Dance with a Stranger”
Written by: Rachael Price
Published by: 17 Lake Street Music
Recorded by: Lake Street Dive
“Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down”
Written by: Margo Price, Jeremy Ivey
Published by: Peach Pit, Fisheye, Good Songs We Love
Recorded by: Margo Price
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