NSAI Salutes No. 1 Songwriters

Despite the rain, crowds flocked to the tented parking lot of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) yesterday (9/19) for its annual salute to songwriters who hit No. 1 in the past year.

With the help of co-sponsors The Recording Academy and City National Bank, the organization honored 74 songwriters responsible for 36 songs that hit No. 1 on Billboard’s charts between July 2010 and June 2011. A full list is included below.

Prior to the No. 1 presentations, special recognition was given to four individuals. Country Music Hall of Fame member Jim Foglesong was given NSAI’s President’s Choice Award for making significant contributions for the advancement of songwriters. The Maggie Cavender Award of Service for an individual who has significantly served the interests of the songwriting community was actually bestowed on two individuals: Songwriters Hall of Fame member Cowboy Jack Clement, and songwriter/artist Lorene Mann, who created the NSAI’s famed “It All Begins With A Song” slogan.

NSAI also presented the first Writers Round Host Award to Debi Champion, who has led songwriter nights at the Commodore Lounge for years. “The greatest gift, besides my family and friends, has been meeting these songwriters,” said Champion in her acceptance.

Mann also praised the work NSAI on behalf of songwriters, offering an important piece of advice to artists and people in the business: “Treat the struggling songwriter with kindness, because you never know who might be building you a mansion tomorrow.”

No. 1 songs and songwriters:
“A Little Bit Stronger” – Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey, Hillary Scott  (recorded by Sara Evans)
“All About Tonight” – Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip  (recorded by Blake Shelton)
“All Over Me” – Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip  (recorded by Josh Turner)
“Anything Like Me” – Chris DuBois, Brad Paisley, Dave Turnbull  (recorded by Brad Paisley)
“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” – Jim Collins, David Lee Murphy  (recorded by Thompson Square)
“As She’s Walking Away” – Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette  (recorded by Zac Brown Band w/ Alan Jackson)
“Colder Weather” – Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, Coy Bowles  (recorded by Zac Brown Band)
“Come Back Song” – Darius Rucker, Chris Stapleton, Casey Beathard  (recorded by Darius Rucker)
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” – Andy Gibson, Paul Jenkins, Jason Sellers  (recorded by Jason Aldean w/ Kelly Clarkson)
“Felt Good On My Lips” – Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Brad Warren, Brett Warren  (recorded by Tim McGraw)
“Free” – Zac Brown  (recorded by Zac Brown Band)
“Heart Like Mine” – Travis Howard, Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe  (recorded by Miranda Lambert)
“Honey Bee” – Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip  (recorded by Blake Shelton)
“If I Die Young” – Kimberly Perry  (recorded by The Band Perry)
“Let Me Down Easy” – Marty Dodson, Jennifer Hanson, Mark Nesler  (recorded by Billy Currington)
“Live A Little” – Shane Minor, David Lee Murphy  (recorded by Kenny Chesney)
“Lover, Lover” – Daniel Pritzker  (recorded by Jerrod Niemann)
“Mine” – Taylor Swift  (recorded by Taylor Swift)
“Old Alabama” – Chris DuBois, Randy Owen, Brad Paisley, Dave Turnbull  (recorded by Brad Paisley w/ Alabama)
“Our Kind Of Love” – Busbee, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott  (recorded by Lady Antebellum)
“Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” – Troy Jones  (recorded by Billy Currington)
“Radioactive” – Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill, Nathan Followill  (recorded by Kings Of Leon)
“Rain Is A Good Thing” – Dallas Davidson, Luke Bryan  (recorded by Luke Bryan)
“Roll With It” – Tony Lane, David Lee, Johnny Park  (recorded by Easton Corbin)
“Someone Else Calling You Baby” – Luke Bryan, Jeff Stevens  (recorded by Luke Bryan)
“Somewhere With You” – J.T. Harding, Shane McAnally  (recorded by Kenny Chesney)
“The Boys of Fall” – Casey Beathard, Dave Turnbull  (recorded by Kenny Chesney)
“This” – Kara DioGuardi, Frank Rogers, Darius Rucker  (recorded by Darius Rucker)
“Turn On The Radio” – Cherie Oakley, Mark Oakley, J.P. Twang  (recorded by Reba)
“Undo It” – Kara Dioguardi, Martin Frederiksen, Luke Laird, Carrie Underwood  (recorded by Carrie Underwood)
“Voices” – Chris Tompkins, Craig Wiseman, Chris Young  (recorded by Chris Young)
“Water” – Chris DuBois, Kelley Lovelace, Brad Paisley  (recorded by Brad Paisley)
“We R Who We R” – Ammo (Joshua Coleman), Benny Blanco (Benjamin Levin), Dr. Luke (Lukasz Gottwald), Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Ke$ha (Kesha Sebert)  (recorded by Ke$ha)
“Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” – Earl Bud Lee, John Wiggins  (recorded by Blake Shelton)
“Why Wait” – Tom Shapiro, Neil Thrasher, Jimmy Yeary  (recorded by Rascal Flatts)
“Without You” – Dave Pahanish, Joe West  (recorded by Keith Urban)