62nd ASCAP Country Music Awards Honors Talented Songwriters & Publishers

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad, ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams, Chris Stapleton and ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Country music stars, songwriters and publishers ascended the steps of The Twelve Thirty Club on Monday night (Nov. 18) for the ASCAP Celebrates Nashville event, awarding the top performing ASCAP members of the past year.

ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

The upscale club featured multiple spaces for party-goers to mingle, with intimate seating areas thoughtfully placed beneath the soft, dim lighting. The drinks were flowing with multiple bar locations, and attendees noshed on The Twelve Thirty Club’s yummy sushi and sashimi, shrimp cocktail, hummus and crudités, pimento cheese and pita bread and more.

In addition to the red carpet, songwriters and publishers took photos in front of a large ASCAP step and repeat that listed the top performing songs.

Country duo Everette kicked off the evening’s program with a performance. ASCAP’s VP of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad then appeared to welcome everyone to the event, and shed light on some members’ recent success. He saluted Hillary Lindsey on her induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York, as well as David Bellamy into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and John Anderson into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Sistad then welcomed up ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews to the podium. Matthews shared meaningful words about former EVP and and Chief Creative Officer, John Titta, who passed away a few weeks ago.

Sony Music Publishing CEO Nashville Rusty Gaston (front row, third from left) with the staff of Sony Music Publishing Nashville. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

For the first award of the night, Matthews shared that 80-time chart-topper Ashley Gorley was the ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year for an 11th time, extending his record as the winningest ASCAP songwriter in the country format.

“It’s a privilege to be a country music fan in the era of Ashley Gorley,” Matthews said of the hitmaker who was recently nominated for induction to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

“Thank you ASCAP for all that you do for songwriters, ” Gorley said, highlighting Titta’s legacy. “It’s been really cool to see country music and country songs have a bright spotlight this past year, and to see songs move up some different charts. It’s not a secret anymore that the Nashville is special and one of a king. I’m proud to be part of it.”

Pictured (L-R): Co-writer of the Country Music Song of the Year Ashley Gorley, ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams and Country Music Song of the Year co-writer JKash. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Next it was time for the Publisher of the Year honor, which went to Sony Music Publishing. The company won for an 11th time with 24 of this year’s most-performed songs.

“At Sony Music Publishing in Nashville, we believe that every song has the power to change the world. They all take amazing songwriters,” shared Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston. “It is our greatest honor to get to walk alongside and champion the songwriters that we get to work with.”

Matthews welcomed up ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams to present the next awards. He also shared special words about the late Titta, speaking about his legacy as a friend to songwriters.

Chris Stapleton accepts the ASCAP Country Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year honor. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Williams announced that Chris Stapleton was the ASCAP Country Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year, with his “White Horse” (co-written by ASCAP member Dan Wilson) and “Think I’m in Love with You” are among ASCAP’s most-performed country songs of the year.

“I moved to Nashville to be a songwriter. That was my dream and my whole plan,” Stapleton said. “I have so many friends and people who have encouraged me [in the room tonight]…I’m honored to be a songwriter tonight.

“Congratulations to all the winners tonight,” he continued. “If you’re in this room tonight, you should feel honored. If you’re wearing one of those things around your neck tonight, that’s what we all move to town to do. If you’re a songwriter, you’re always going to be a songwriter.”

The ASCAP Country Song of the Year went to “Last Night,” performed by Morgan Wallen. ASCAP members Gorley and JKash accepted the honor, giving Gorley his fourth ASCAP Country Song of the Year win. Sony Music Publishing, Kobalt Songs Music Publishing, Domain Capital Group, Poppy’s Picks, Prescription Songs and Rap Kingpin Music celebrated with them.

After the big awards had been presented, the ASCAP executives continued to honor the most-performed songs of the year, calling up ASCAP songwriters and playing their awarded hits over the speakers. The room cheered each recipient on, making for a joyous celebration.

Click here for a complete list of ASCAP Country Music Award winners.

LB Cantrell
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