NSAI Celebrates 2023’s Hit Songwriters With Annual ‘World’s Largest No. 1 Party’

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Pictured (L-R): Kris Ahrend (CEO, The MLC), Lee Thomas Miller (Board President, NSAI), Scotty Emerick, Ellen Truley (Chief Marketing Officer, MLC), TK Kimbrell (President/Owner, TKO Management), Bart Herbison (Executive Director, NSAI). Photo: Courtesy of NSAI

Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) held its annual “World’s Largest No. 1 Party” on Tuesday (April 25) at Analog at the Hutton Hotel, recognizing the songwriters of 2023’s hits.

The morning celebration was held to honor all songs with a Nashville-associated writer that topped the Billboard Airplay, Digital, Hot or Mediabase charts during the period of January 2023–December 2023. Awards were presented by NSAI representatives Bart Herbison (Executive Director), Lyndsie McClure (Director of Development) and Jill Moody (Director of Membership) for a total of 21 songs who had writers present.

Pictured (L-R): Lee Thomas Miller (Board President, NSAI), Sherod Robertson (Publisher/Owner, MusicRow Magazine) and Bart Herbison (Executive Director, NSAI). Photo: Courtesy of NSAI

Additionally, NSAI gave its Champion Award to MusicRow Magazine’s Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. The Champion Award recognizes an individual who shows unwavering support of songwriters, and serves as a champion for the music industry as a whole.

“Sherod Robertson and MusicRow are champions and appropriately deserve the NSAI Champion Award,” shared Herbison. “The Nashville music industry is lucky to have MusicRow and its associated publications. But we are also blessed that Sherod and his team have championed songwriters, females in the industry, and do amazing work on a daily basis.”

For the morning’s last award, Herbison welcomed special guest, veteran manager TK Kimbrell, to say a few words about the final No. 1 recipient, Toby Keith, who notched his last chart-topper with “Don’t Let The Old Man In” before his passing.

Kimbrell spoke about Keith’s love of songs and songwriters, sharing stories about how the country giant wrote many of his hits by himself, but that he knew a great outside song when he heard one.

Pictured (L-R): Lee Thomas Miller (Board President, NSAI), Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Bart Herbison (Executive Director, NSAI). Photo: Courtesy of NSAI

“Toby Keith’s career was launched in NSAI’s headquarters, The Music Mill, many years ago when he was signed by Harold Shedd. Toby and TK Kimbrell supported NSAI and The Bluebird Cafe both financially and with their time and talents for many years,” Herbison shared. “We are grateful for Toby, and not a day passes by that we don’t feel his ongoing presence in The Music Mill.”

To end the event, Keith’s friend and frequent collaborator Scotty Emerick gave a moving performance of “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”

Songs recognized for reaching No. 1 between January 2023 – December 2023:

“Build A Boat”
Written by: Pete Becker, Colton Dixon, Michael Gormley, Johan Lindbrandt, Seth Mosley
Recorded by: Colton Dixon

“Can’t Have Mine”
Written by: Matt Alderman, Josh Melton, Dylan Scott, Dallas Wilson
Recorded by: Dylan Scott

“Dancin’ In The Country”
Written by: Ross Copperman, Tyler Hubbard, Jon Nite, Keith Urban
Recorded by: Tyler Hubbard

“Don’t Let The Old Man In”
Written by: Toby Keith
Recorded by: Toby Keith

“Down Home”
Written by: Jimmie Allen, Rian Ball, Cameron Bedell, Tate Howell
Recorded by: Jimmie Allen

“Girl In Mine”
Written by: Casey Brown, David Fanning, Matt Thomas, Travis Wood
Recorded by: Parmalee

“Going, Going, Gone”
Written by: Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, James McNair
Recorded by: Luke Combs

“Handle On You”
Written by: Monty Criswell, Parker McCollum
Recorded by: Parker McCollum

“Heart Like A Truck”
Written by: Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson
Recorded by: Lainey Wilson

“I See Grace”
Written by: Zachary Kale, Micah Tyler, Matthew West
Recorded by: Micah Tyler

“Need A Favor”
Written by: Jason DeFord, Austin Nivarel, Joe Ragosta, Rob Ragosta
Recorded by: Jelly Roll

“Next Thing You Know”
Written by: Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne
Recorded by: Jordan Davis

“Praise The Lord”
Written by: Jake Henry, Jeff Pardo, Micah Tyler
Recorded by: Micah Tyler

“Religiously”
Written by: Marty James, Alexander Palmer, Frank Romano, Austin Shawn, Bailey Zimmerman
Recorded by: Bailey Zimmerman

“Running Home”
Written by: Michael Cochren, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West
Recorded by: Cochren & Co.

“Tennessee Orange”
Written by: David Fanning, Paul Jenkins, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams
Recorded by: Megan Moroney

“Thank God”
Written by: Kyle Fishman, Jaxson Free, Josh Hoge, Jared Mullins, Christian Stalnecker
Recorded by: Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown

“Try That In A Small Town”
Written by: Kurt Allison, Kelley Lovelace, Tully Kennedy, Neil Thrasher
Recorded by: Jason Aldean

“Wild As Her”
Written by: Kelly Archer, Brett Tyler, Morgan Wallen
Recorded by: Corey Kent

“You, Me, And Whiskey”
Written by: Jessi Alexander, Brock Berryhill, Cole Taylor
Recorded by: Justin Moore & Priscilla Block

“Your Heart Or Mine”
Written by: Bart Butler, Justin Ebach, John Pierce
Recorded by: Jon Pardi

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