Nominees Revealed For 2025 AIMP Nashville Awards
The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has revealed the final nominees for the 2025 AIMP Nashville Awards, taking place on April 8 at Marathon Music Works. Hosted by Storme Warren, the intimate gathering will honor the past year’s biggest hits written and promoted solely by Nashville’s independent publishing companies and their songwriters.
The evening will recognize songwriters, publishers and songs in various categories, including Rising Songwriter of the Year, Rising Artist-Writer of the Year, Artist-Writer of the Year, Song Champion of the Year, Publisher’s Pick of the Year, Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Publisher of the Year.
“This year, we are celebrating the tenth anniversary of the AIMP awards show! Michael McAnally Baum and I created the show in 2015 as AIMP board members trying to figure out how to add value to the members and, at the same time, drive membership up,” says Ree Guyer, owner of Wrensong Entertainment. “We had 80 members at the time. Today, we have 495 members representing every successful independent publisher and writer in the Music Row Community. Looking at the list of nominees and knowing who will perform on the show tells me this will be another special night!“
The final voting period determining the winners opens on March 4 and closes at 5 p.m. CST on March 11. To vote, you must have been an AIMP member on or before Feb. 4. Email aimpnashville@gmail.com with any questions regarding voter eligibility and category requirements.
2025 AIMP Nashville Award Nominees:
Rising Songwriter Of The Year Nominees:
*7 nominees (because of a tie)
Abram Dean – Independently published by Concord Music Publishing
Jon Decious – Independently published by OneRiot, Reservoir
Lalo Guzman – Independently published by SMACKSongs
Wyatt McCubbin – Independently published by 50 Egg Music, Tape Room Music
Steve Moakler – Independently published by Creative Nation
Daniel Ross – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Chandler Walters – Independently published by Ern’s Cadillac Music, Big Loud Publishing
Rising Artist Writer Of The Year Nominees:
George Birge – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Laci Kaye Booth – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Dylan Marlowe – Independently published by Play It Again Music, Relative Music Group
Vincent Mason – Independently published by Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing
Zach Top – Independently published by Major Bob Music
Tucker Wetmore – Independently published by Back Blocks Music
Artist Writer Of The Year Nominees:
Ashley Cooke – Independently published by Back Blocks Music, Big Loud Publishing
Jordan Davis – Independently published by Anthem Entertainment
Jackson Dean – Independently published by Little Louder Music
Ernest – Independently published by Big Loud Publishing
Hardy – Independently published by Relative Music Group
Carly Pearce – Independently published by Altadena Music
Song Champion Of The Year Nominees:
Courtney Allen – Sr. Director, A&R, Concord Music Publishing
Greg Gallo – VP, Creative, Reservoir
Shannan Hatch – SVP, Creative, SESAC
MaryAnn Keen – Director, Creative, BMI Nashville
Sara Knabe – SVP, A&R, Big Loud Music
Melissa Spillman – VP, A&R, Concord Music Publishing
Publisher Pick Of The Year Nominees:
“Casseroles” written by Hillary Lindsey, Tom Douglas, and James Slater; Independently published by Concord Music Publishing; Performed by Hailey Whitters
“Hell Is A Dance Floor” written by Vincent Mason and Chase McDaniel; Independently published by Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing; Performed by Vincent Mason
“Killed A Man” written by Joe Fox, Geoff Warburton, and Jimi Bell; Independently published by Liz Rose Music, Big Machine Music, Range Music Publishing, Worktape Music; Performed by Post Malone
“Made In The USA” written by Ben Stennis, Emily Falvey, and Adam James; Independently published by SMACKSongs, Kobalt Music Publishing, Young Guns Publishing; Performed by Cody Johnson
“Midwest Rock & Roll” written by Ryan Hurd, Mark Holman, and Randy Montana; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Big Loud Publishing; Performed by Ryan Hurd
“The Loneliest Girl In The World” written by Laci Kaye Booth, Jon Stark, and Aby Gutierrez; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Dream3 Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing; Performed by Laci Kaye Booth
Song Of The Year Nominees:
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” written by Mark Allen Williams, Joe Kent, Sean Cook, Collins Obinna Chibueze, Nevin Sastry, and Jerell Jones; Independently published by Kobalt Music, Seeker Music, Range Music Publishing; Performed by Shaboozey
“Burn It Down” written by Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, and Parker McCollum; Independently published by Concord Music Publishing, Liz Rose Music, Creative Nation; Performed by Parker McCollum
“I Had Some Help” written by Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Walters, Ashley Gorley, Morgan Wallen, Austin Post, Hoskins, Louis Bell, Ryan Vojtesak; Independently published by Big Loud Publishing, Ern’s Cadillac Music, Domain Capitol Group; Performed by Post Malone & Morgan Wallen
“Lies Lies Lies” written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Daniel Ross, Chris Tompkins, Josh Miller; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Concord Music Publishing, Boom Music Group; Performed by Morgan Wallen
“The Painter” written by Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, and Ryan Larkins; Independently published by Big Machine Music; Performed by Cody Johnson
“Wind Up Missin’ You” written by Tucker Wetmore, Chris LaCorte, and Thomas Archer; Independently published by BackBlocks Music, Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing, Combustion Music; Performed by Tucker Wetmore
Songwriter Of The Year:
Rocky Block – Independently published by Big Loud Publishing
Jessie Jo Dillon – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Ashley Gorley – Independently published by Domain Capitol Group
Hunter Phelps – Independently published by Tape Room Music
Taylor Phillips – Independently published by Tape Room Music
Jonathan Singleton – Independently published by 50 Egg Music
Top Independent Music Publishers Of The Year:
Big Loud Publishing
Big Machine Music
Concord Music Publishing
Purple Rabbit Music
