Hillary Lindsey Makes History With NSAI Song Of The Year “Blue Ain’t Your Color”

Kris Kristofferson, Hillary Lindsey

BMG songwriter Hillary Lindsey‘s third win for NSAI Song Of The Year for her hit “Blue Ain’t Your Color” places her in some pretty impressive company, tying her with legendary songwriter Kris Kristofferson as the only other writer to receive the honor three times in the NSAI’s 50-year history. Kristofferson officially presented Lindsey with the award during the recent NSAI 50^th Anniversary Concert at the Ryman Auditorium.

A peer-voted award, 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’ annual balloting. Lindsey received her first NSAI “Song of the Year” award in 2006 for co-writing the Grammy-winning, chart-topping, multi-platinum, crossover hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel” (Carrie Underwood). She followed that win up in 2015 by co-writing another Grammy-winning, multi-platinum, crossover chart-topper,”Girl Crush” (Little Big Town), which landed her a second NSAI “Song of the Year” trophy.

“There is no question Hillary is an amazing creative force and widely-revered as one of the best songwriters in music today,” said Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Nashville. “The success and accomplishments throughout her career, and innate musical talent to go beyond genre lines in music, speaks volumes about the dedication she has to the craft. We are proud to call BMG her home.”

With 20 No. 1 singles to her credit, Lindsey is the recipient of an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song (“Coming Home”) and two Golden Globe nominations for Best Original Song (“There’s A Place For Us,” “Coming Home”). Lady Gaga’s most recent chart-topping album Joanne featured several songs penned by Lindsey including the smash hit “Million Reasons” which she performed with Gaga on Saturday Night Live. Earlier this year, Lindsey received her fifth Grammy nomination for “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” which was also nominated for Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year at the 52^nd ACM Awards. The song is RIAA certified double-Platinum.

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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.

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