2nd Annual AIMP Nashville Awards Winners

Pictured (L-R): AIMP Rising Independent Artist-Writer of the Year Natalie Hemby, Publisher’s Pick co-writer (“Rich”) Laura Veltz, presenter and songwriter Don Schlitz, Artist-Writer of the Year and Publisher’s Pick co-writer (“Rich”) Maren Morris with co-writer Jessie Jo Dillion. Photo: Getty Images

The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) hosted the second annual AIMP Nashville Awards Monday night (May 8) at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Presented for the first time by the Academy of Country Music, the event honored Nashville’s independent publishers, songwriters, artists and music champions (full list below) with an evening of performances.

“Last night was truly indicative of how great it is to be a part of the independent songwriting and publishing community in Nashville right now,” said AIMP Nashville Executive Director, John Ozier. “The level of talent in the room was incredible and the camaraderie is what keeps the AIMP Nashville continuing to grow as an organization.”

Old Dominion performs Maren Morris’ “80s Mercedes.” Photo: Getty Images

Caitlyn Smith and Walker Hayes perform Miranda Lambert’s “Vice.” Photo: Getty Images

The show kicked off with Old Dominion performing a rendition of Maren Morris’ “80s Mercedes,” followed by Walker Hayes and Caitlyn Smith performing Miranda Lambert’s “Vice.” Devin Dawson performed Brett Young’s “Sleep Without You” before Don Schlitz took the stage to announce Morris’ “Rich” as the 2017 AIMP Publisher’s Pick, with a performance of the song by 2017 AIMP Rising Independent Artist-Writer of the Year Natalie Hemby.

Brandy Clark performs “Kill A Word.” Photo: Getty Images

Carly Pearce sang Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and Jon Pardi, along with Bart Butler, announced Morris as the 2017 AIMP Artist-Writer of the Year before Ryan Beaver belted Pardi’s “Head Over Boots.” The evening closed with a performance of Eric Church’s “Kill A Word” by Brandy Clark and the Brothers Osborne’s announcement of “Blue Ain’t Your Color” as the 2017 AIMP Song of the Year.

Pictured (L-R): Big Yellow Dog Music’s Matt Lindsey (VP, Creative), Kerry O’Neil (Co-owner), Carla Wallace (Co-owner) and Lauren Funk (Creative Manager). Photo: Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): TJ Osborne, Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey and John Osborne. Photo: Getty Images

“The Academy of Country Music was thrilled to support the AIMP as presenting sponsor of the second annual AIMP Nashville Awards,” said Pete Fisher, Academy of Country Music CEO. “All music begins with a song and we are excited to celebrate the independent publishing community who works so hard to give incredible songs life.”

The 2017 AIMP nominees are listed below, with winners indicated in each category. Read MusicRow‘s Bobby Karl review at MusicRow.com.

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 Music, 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

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, Spirit Music

“Head Over Boots” written by Luke Laird, Jon 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