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AIMP Nashville Awards Nominees Announced

April 20, 2017/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Nominees have been announced for the second annual AIMP Nashville Awards, which will be presented for the first time by the Academy of Country Music. The awards will take place at the Ryman Auditorium May 8 and will feature performances from Nashville’s hottest independent writers and artists. Nominees were selected by 300 AIMP voters through anonymous ballots.

Last year’s inaugural show included performances of AIMP-nominated songs by artist-writer nominees Kelsea Ballerini, Brandy Clark, Tyler Farr, Sam Hunt, Old Dominion and a collaboration by rising writer nominees, Brothers Osborne and Maren Morris.

“We are very excited to once again celebrate the achievements of Nashville’s independent music publishing community at the second annual AIMP Nashville Awards,” said AIMP Nashville Treasurer and awards co-chair, Ree Guyer. “The show serves as a platform to honor the unique and talented artists and writers who call Nashville home, while also serving as a reminder of the support shown from writers, artist and publishers within our AIMP community.”

“The Academy is delighted to support AIMP in this most important endeavor: honoring the independent spirits who keep country music relevant with their craft,” said Tiffany Moon, Executive Vice President/Managing Director of the Academy of Country Music. “The contribution these artist and writers make to the industry – and to fans – is a tremendous gift.”

AIMP Rising Independent Songwriter of the Year
Kelly Archer
Luke Dick
Justin Ebach
Adam Hambrick
Jesse Lee
Jordan Schmidt

AIMP Rising Independent Artist-Writer of the Year
Ryan Beaver
Devin Dawson
Walker Hayes
Natalie Hemby
Carly Pearce
Caitlyn Smith

AIMP Artist – Writer of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Brandy Clark
Eric Church
Maren Morris
Old Dominion
Brett Young

AIMP Song Champion of the Year
Jeff Carlton
Courtney Crist
Celia Froehlig
Shannan Hatch
Bart Herbison
Jeff Skaggs

AIMP Publisher’s Pick
“Leaving Nashville” written by Abe Stoklasa, Donovan Woods
Big Yellow Dog Music, Shakala Publishing

“Love Can Go To Hell” written by Brandy Clark, Scott Stepakoff
Kobalt Music, Sea Gayle Music, Ten Ten Music Group

“Love Triangle” written by Nicolle Galyon, RaeLynn, Jimmy Robbins
Big Machine Music, Prescription, Round Hill Music

“Rich” written by Jessie Jo Dillion,  Maren Morris, Laura Veltz
Big Machine Music, Big Yellow Dog, Kobalt Music, Revelry Music

“Tacoma” written by Bob DiPiero, Caitlyn Smith
BMG, Cornman Music, Round Hill Music

“Wheels” written by Steve Moakler, Gordie Sampson, Caitlyn Smith
BMG, Cornman Music, Creative Nation Music, Pulse Songs

AIMP Song of the Year
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” written by Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Lee Olsen
Cornman Music, Hillarodyrathbone Music, Sea Gayle Music

“Head Over Boots” written by Luke Laird, John Pardi
Creative Nation Music, Song Factory Music

“Vice” written by Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
SMACKSongs

“Kill A Word” written by Eric Church, Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde
Little Louder Music

“Sleep Without You” written by Kelly Archer, Justin Ebach, Brett Young
Big Machine Music, Downtown Music, Red Creative, Word Country

“80s Mercedes” written by busbee, Maren Morris
BMG, Big Deal Music, Big Yellow Dog Music

AIMP Independent Writer of the Year
busbee
Ross Copperman
Zach Crowell
Ashley Gorley
Luke Laird
Shane McAnally

AIMP Independent Publisher of the Year
BMG
Big Loud Shirt / Round Hill Music
Big Yellow Dog Music
Combustion Music
Creative Nation Music
SMACKSongs

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Lorie Hollabaugh
Lorie Hollabaugh
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.
Lorie Hollabaugh
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