AIMP Honors Independent Songwriters & Publishers At 2025 Awards

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Publishing Assistant Emily Peterson, President Mike Molinar, Sr. Vice President Alex Heddle and Sr. Consultant Hannah Babitt; (L-R, back row row): Vice President Tim Hunze, Vice President Grayson Stephens, Sr. Director Timmy Haehl, BMLG Chairman & CEO Scott Borchetta, Sr. Manager Preston Berger and Sr. Director Michelle Attardi. Photo: Diana King

The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) hosted its 2025 AIMP Nashville Country Awards on Tuesday evening (April 8) at Marathon Music Works. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the event spotlighted the independent songwriters and publishers who help make Nashville Music City.

After a lively social hour—complete with drinks and a taco truck—songwriters, publishers and other industry members filled the venue’s event hall. Following brief remarks from sponsor Humanable, the music officially began.

Jordan Davis accepts his award for Artist-Writer of the Year.

As is tradition at the AIMP Awards, the evening featured intimate and distinctive performances from past and present Rising Artist-Writer of the Year and Artist-Writer of the Year nominees and winners. In honor of the event’s milestone year, each performance paid tribute to a song that had previously won Song of the Year.

Hardy opened the set with the award-winning “Girl Crush,” followed by Jordan Davis performing “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”

Storme Warren then took the stage to begin his hosting duties and present the night’s first award: Rising Songwriter of the Year. The honor went to Jon Decious, independently published by OneRiot Music and Reservoir Media. In his heartfelt speech, he thanked Jesus, his mom, “what the hell Dale,” Mandelyn Monchick, his publishers and “every artist that has let [him] bug them for an afternoon.”

With community spirit running high, Hailey Whitters stepped up to perform Song of the Year winner “Drinkin’ Problem.”

Next, Rising Artist-Writer of the Year was awarded to breakout country artist Zach Top (published by Major Bob Music). Though he couldn’t attend, he shared his gratitude in a video message.

AIMP Nashville Chapter President John Ozier then addressed the crowd, speaking about the tremendous loss the industry has faced with the passing of Warner Chappell President & CEO Ben Vaughn. A moving tribute video followed, featuring emotional words from Scott Hendricks, Tim Hunze, Jody Williams, Ross Copperman, Rhett Akins, Thomas Rhett, Mike Molinar, Abbey Adams, Shawn McSpadden and Jessi Alexander. In Vaughn’s honor, AIMP made a donation to Music Health Alliance.

Chase McDaniel and Vincent Mason accepting their Publisher Pick of the Year Award. Photo: Kayla Schoen

Carly Pearce took the stage next to perform “Rainbow,” offering a moment of comfort and reflection for the Nashville publishing community as they remembered Vaughn.

Song Champion of the Year was then presented to Concord’s Courtney Allen. The room gave her a standing ovation as she took the stage in tears, sharing that she had been going through a difficult week.

“So many people here have showed up for me,” she said. She thanked her champions and the songwriters and artists who trust her with their work.

Lee Brice followed with a performance of “The Bones,” and Jackson Dean performed his hit “One of Them Girls.”

The Publisher Pick of the Year award went to “Hell Is A Dance Floor,” written by Vincent Mason and Chase McDaniel and independently published by Hang Your Hat Music and Concord Music Publishing. The duo took the stage, with McDaniel expressing gratitude to his support system.

AIMP Nashville

“It was always my dream to be a songwriter,” Mason added. “To win an award picked by publishers means the world to me.” Mae Estes then performed the track.

Jordan Davis was later named Artist-Writer of the Year (published by Anthem Entertainment). He shared that “this room is the only thing [he’s] known since moving to Nashville,” and shouted out some of the writers of his current single, who were in attendance.

Old Dominion delivered “Sand In My Boots” before the prestigious Songwriter of the Year award was presented to Jessie Jo Dillon (Big Machine Music), sparking a round of enthusiastic applause.

“Everyone in this room is incredible,” Dillon said. “I love country music—let’s protect it.”

Ashley McBryde then performed “You Should Probably Leave,” followed by Hannah Ellis and Nick Wayne with their rendition of “Next Thing You Know.”

Independent Publishing Company of the Year was awarded to Big Machine Music. The team took the stage with a cardboard cutout of Alex Heddle, who was away on his honeymoon.

“A lot has been said about community,” said BMM’s Mike Molinar. “We couldn’t do this without you publishers and songwriters.”

The final award of the night, Song of the Year, went to “The Painter,” written by Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins and published by Big Machine Music and Nashblonde Music. Davis and Larkins accepted the honor, thanking their teams, families and Cody Johnson for recording the track.

LB Cantrell
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