Craig Wiseman Awarded Honorary Degree

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Craig Wiseman. Photo: Chris Hornbuckle

Big Loud Partner and Hall of Fame songwriter Craig Wiseman received an honorary degree from The University of Southern Mississippi during the school’s fall 2024 commencement ceremony today (Dec. 13). Wiseman, a Hattiesburg native, was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.

“It’s an honor to recognize Craig Wiseman, whose talent has shaped the heart and soul of country music,” said University President Dr. Joe Paul. “His lyrics and storytelling have left an indelible mark on the industry, and we are thrilled to celebrate his success by awarding this honorary degree.”

As the founder of Big Loud Shirt Publishing, Wiseman is celebrated for his vast catalog, which includes over 400 songs, 150 singles and 30 No. 1 hits. His impressive body of work features tracks such as Brooks and Dunn’s “Believe,” Blake Shelton’s “Boys ‘Round Here,” Morgan Wallen’s “Chasin’ You,” and many more. Wiseman’s legacy was solidified alongside country music’s greats with Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” which spent ten weeks at No. 1, earned NSAI, CMA, and ACM Song of the Year honors, and won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song.

Before his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015, Wiseman earned numerous accolades, including NSAI’s Writer of the Year in 1997, ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 2003, 2005, and 2007, and NSAI’s Songwriter of the Decade in 2009. He was also honored with ASCAP’s 2014 Heritage Award as the most performed country songwriter of the century. Wiseman was also celebrated by his home state of Mississippi with the Excellence in Music award at the 27th Annual Governor’s Arts Awards.

Wiseman has also shown a dedication to philanthropy. For eighteen years, he hosted The Stars for Second Harvest Benefit Concert at the Ryman Auditorium, raising more than $2 million during his tenure for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Madison Hahnen
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