MusicRow Awards: Song of the Year Nominees

Nominees for the 27th annual MusicRow Awards, Nashville’s longest running music industry trade publication honors, have been revealed. In 2015, the SONG OF THE YEAR category is filled with frequent collaborators.

“Girl Crush” was written by a trio of songwriters who work together so often they are collectively known as The Love Junkies. Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey penned the ballad of lustful jealousy. Little Big Town and Producer of the Year nominee Jay Joyce made it a No. 1 hit.

Likewise, Jaren Johnston, Jeffrey Steele and Tom Douglas write together often. They are the minds behind “Raise Em Up,” a thoughtful montage about raising everything from a whiskey glass to a child. Keith Urban ft. Eric Church made it a radio hit.

After a track record of success, Chris Tompkins and Rodney Clawson re-teamed for “Dirt,” filled with meaningful imagery of football fields, farms and burial. Florida Georgia Line made the song famous.

Frequent co-writers Chris DeStefano and Brett James had the idea for a song called “Something in the Water” at one of their regular appointments, but co-writer Carrie Underwood brought the twist of fate to the session, suggesting the phrase meant the baptismal water. She recorded the song and it went straight to No. 1.

Songwriter/producer Kevin Kadish didn’t know what to expect when he was paired with a young new artist named Meghan Trainor. They hit it off so quickly they ended up co-writing most of her debut album, which he also produced, including the mega-hit “All About That Bass,” which is now vying for Song of the Year.

The MusicRow Awards are often a key predictor for select CMA Awards. In past years Song of the Year honors at both ceremonies went to “I Drive Your Truck” (2013), “If I Die Young” (2011), “The House That Built Me” (2010) and “In Color” (2009).

Award winners are voted on exclusively by Subscriber Members of MusicRow. Honors will be presented during an invitation-only ceremony at ASCAP on Tuesday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m., saluting the Breakthrough Songwriter, Breakthrough Artist, Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, and the Top Ten Album AllStar Musicians. The eligibility period is May 1, 2014 – April 30, 2015.