JUST IN: NSAI’s Nashville Songwriter Awards To Honor Alan Jackson, Buddy Cannon

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Alan Jackson, Buddy Cannon

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) will present its seventh annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, alongside presenting partner City National Bank, at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 24.

The evening will bestow honors to the peer-voted “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” winners and NSAI’s Song, Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the year honorees, as well as pivotal individuals who have had great influence in the world of songwriting.

Legendary songwriter and artist Alan Jackson will receive NSAI’s highest honor of the evening, the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jackson has earned an astounding list of awards throughout his career. The Country Music Hall of Fame member has amassed 26 No. 1 songs over the past 30 years, and his legacy has been etched into the history books with songs like “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” “Chattahoochee,” “Gone Country,” “Remember When,” “Drive (for Daddy Gene),” “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Where I Come From,” “Wanted,” “Little Man,” “Who’s Cheatin’ Who,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” with Jimmy Buffett, “Murder on Music Row” with George Strait, and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” Jackson received CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

“When the NSAI Board of Directors chose Alan Jackson as this year’s recipient of the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, I knew they had made a fantastic choice,” says NSAI Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Turnbow. “I was eager to craft a segment of our annual awards show around his work as a songwriter. But, it wasn’t until I really studied his body of work and recalled decades of his songs that I realized just how deserving he was of this recognition. Alan’s songs, many of which he wrote by himself, have marked significant moments in time and are etched into the memories of multiple generations. Choosing only a handful of his many hits to highlight in a celebration of his career will be incredibly challenging…that I’m looking forward to!”

“City National Bank has supported the music industry from the first day we opened our doors in 1954 and we are especially proud of our work in the beloved country music and local Nashville communities,” says Diane Pearson and Lori Badgett, Co-Managers of City National Entertainment in Nashville. “On behalf of City National, we congratulate the incomparable Alan Jackson for his Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. For decades, Alan, as both an artist and a songwriter, has delivered the most inspirational, motivational and uplifting music and we applaud the recognition of his eloquent songwriting artistry.”

Additionally, NSAI will present the President’s Keystone Award during the Nashville Songwriter Awards. Presented by NSAI Board President Lee Thomas Miller, this year’s award will go to iconic producer and songwriter Buddy Cannon.

Perhaps best known for his work producing Kenny Chesney and Willie Nelson, Cannon has written enduring songs such as “Set ‘Em Up Joe,” “I’ve Come To Expect It From You,” “Dream Of Me” and “Give It Away.” As an A&R executive, he contributed to signing and developing Shania Twain and Billy Ray Cyrus. In the studio, he’s shepherded projects by Alison Krauss, George Jones, Reba McEntire, Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery and many others.

“Buddy Cannon has spent decades as an elite member of our Music Row community. He has written songs for some of country music’s most legendary superstars, has ridden busses playing in their bands and he is one of the most important record producers of the last 30 years,” says Miller. “It is impossible to calculate the impact Buddy Cannon has had on the songwriters in this town. He is famous for being tough on songs and helping build multi decade careers, like Kenny Chesney’s, is an example of how incredible his barometer is for a hit song. I’m proud to present Buddy Cannon with the 2024 NSAI President’s Award.”

Beginning this year, NSAI will also commemorate one song chosen by NSAI’s professional songwriting members as the Legendary Song of its time, beginning with songs from 1967-1983. The NSAI board of directors carefully selected 10 impactful songs in the given range, and the pro membership anonymously voted to determine the winning song. The first-ever Legendary Song Award recipient will be revealed and performed at the show.

Performer announcement and ticket information for the 2024 Nashville Songwriter Awards will be revealed in the coming weeks.

LB Cantrell
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