The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) brought together some of Nashville’s most respected songwriters, recording artists, and music-industry professionals on September 22 for the 9th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
The evening celebrated the writers behind some of the year’s biggest songs, while also honoring legendary figures whose work has left a lasting mark on country and American music. The event featured performances from artists including Chris Stapleton, Ashley McBryde, Ricky Skaggs, and others.
NSAI, a major nonprofit organization representing songwriters, uses the annual ceremony to recognize outstanding songwriting achievements and celebrate the people behind the music.
One of the night’s major honors went to Vince Gill, who received the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes a songwriter whose body of work has made a significant contribution to the American songbook and inspired other artists and songwriters.
Paul Williams received NSAI’s President’s Keystone Award, while Blake Pendergrass was named Songwriter of the Year and Riley Green received the Songwriter-Artist of the Year honor.
FULL LIST OF 2026 NASHVILLE SONGWRITER AWARDS WINNERS
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Choosin’ Texas”
Written by Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Joybeth Taylor
Recorded by Ella Langley
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Blake Pendergrass
SONGWRITER-ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Riley Green
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Vince Gill
NSAI PRESIDENT’S KEYSTONE AWARD
Paul Williams
LEGENDARY SONG
“The Gambler”
Written by Don Schlitz
Recorded by Kenny Rogers
“10 SONGS I WISH I’D WRITTEN” AWARDS
These peer-selected honors recognize songs that made a significant impact on Nashville’s songwriting community. Eligible songs had at least one Nashville-based writer and reached the Top 20 of a qualifying Billboard Airplay chart between May 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026.
“20 Cigarettes”
Written by Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill, Josh Miller, Blake Pendergrass
Recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Bar None”
Written by Ben Johnson, Hunter Phelps, Lydia Vaughan
Recorded by Jordan Davis
“Backseat Driver”
Written by Jacob Davis, Jordan Walker
Recorded by Kane Brown
“Be Her”
Written by Smith Ahnquist, Michael Hardy, Ella Langley, Jordan Schmidt
Recorded by Ella Langley
“Country Song Came On”
Written by Dan Alley, Ryan Beaver, Neil Medley
Recorded by Luke Bryan
“Don’t Mind If I Do”
Written by Riley Green
Recorded by Riley Green featuring Ella Langley
“I’m The Problem”
Written by Grady Block, Charlie Handsome, Jamie McLaughlin, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen
Recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Just In Case”
Written by Alex Bak, John Byron, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Blake Pendergrass, Ernest Keith Smith, Josh Thompson, Morgan Wallen
Recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Somewhere Over Laredo”
Written by Andy Albert, Trannie Anderson, Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson
Recorded by Lainey Wilson
“The Fall”
Written by Ray Fulcher, Bobby Pinson, Jeremy Stover
Recorded by Cody Johnson
“Weren’t For The Wind”
Written by Johnny Clawson, Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor
Recorded by Ella Langley