NSAI Plans Anniversary Concert At Ryman Auditorium To Celebrate 50 Years Of Songs

The Nashville Songwriters Association International is celebrating its 50th birthday this year, and it is celebrating the milestone anniversary with a special show at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 20, commemorating the NSAI Songs of the Year from the past 50 years.

The show will be a star-studded affair, with Kris Kristofferson, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Trace Adkins, Billy Ray Cyrus, Billy Dean, Bobby Braddock, Dallas Frazier, David Frizzell, Marv Green, Richard Leigh, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Lori McKenna, and Justin Peters already set to appear.

NSAI’s Song of the Year is determined by the song that receives the most votes during the “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written” balloting.

Songs on the list include “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton (recorded by Whitney Houston), “Jesus, Take The Wheel” by Brett James, Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson (recorded by Carrie Underwood),”Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim Nichols, Craig Wiseman (recorded by Tim McGraw),”I Hope You Dance” by Mark D. Sanders, Tia Sillers (recorded by Lee Ann Womack),”I Swear” by Frank J. Myers, Gary Baker (recorded by John Michael Montgomery),”The Song Remembers When” by Hugh Prestwood (recorded by Trisha Yearwood),”If Tomorrow Never Comes” by Garth Brooks, Kent Blazy (recorded by Garth Brooks),”Always On My Mind” by Johnny Christopher, Wayne Carson, Mark James (recorded by Willie Nelson),”Sunday Morning Coming Down” by Kris Kristofferson (recorded by Kris Kristofferson),”Okie From Muskogee” by Merle Haggard (recorded by Merle Haggard), and many more country classics.

Tickets are on sale now at the Ryman Auditorium website.

• Author
• Recent Posts

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.

Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)

• New Randy Travis Album ‘Same Old Way’ Slated For November - September 4, 2026
• Opry To Celebrate Vince Gill’s 35th Anniversary With Two Shows - September 4, 2026
• Americana Music Association Announces Performers For 25th Annual Honors & Awards Show - September 4, 2026