BREAKING: NSAI Crowns 2025 Nashville Songwriter Awards Winners [Full List]

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Songwriters, industry members and music fans gathered at the Ryman Auditorium this evening (Sept. 23) for NSAI’s eighth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, presented by City National Bank.

Along with a night full of moving performances, the event celebrated winners in the Song, Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the Year categories, among others, including the coveted “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” honors.

Josh Phillips earned Song of the Year for his solo-penned “Dirt Cheap,” recorded by Cody Johnson. Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year, and Matthew West took home Songwriter-Artist of the Year.

The evening also saw NSAI present the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award to country legends Alabama, while icon Brenda Lee received the NSAI President’s Keystone Award.

The Legendary Song award—which honors a song that has achieved timeless status—went to Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”

“City National Bank is proud to celebrate the craft and impact of songwriters through our ongoing partnership with The Nashville Songwriter Awards,” share Diane Pearson and Lori Badgett, Senior Vice Presidents, Entertainment & Sports Banking Nashville, City National Bank. “These awards recognize the artistry and creative storytelling that help bring music to life and inspire audiences around the world.”

Click here to read more about the evening.

The full list of winners for the eighth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards is below:

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Dirt Cheap” Written by Josh Phillips

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Ashley Gorley

SONGWRITER-ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Matthew West

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Given in recognition to a songwriter whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook and who has inspired the careers of others.
ALABAMA

NSAI PRESIDENT’S KEYSTONE AWARD
Given in recognition of significant contributions to the betterment of all songwriters, chosen by the current NSAI President.
Brenda Lee

LEGENDARY SONG
“I Will Always Love You” Written by Dolly Parton

“10 SONGS I WISH I’D WRITTEN” AWARDS
Each year, the highly-coveted ‘10 Songs I Wish I’d Written Awards’ are voted on by Professional Songwriter Members of NSAI honoring the work of their songwriter peers. Songs eligible for the award have at least one Nashville-based writer and charted in the Top 20 of Billboard Airplay chart in the Christian, Country, Mainstream Top 40, and/or Rock genres between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025. The NSAI Song Of The Year is the highest vote-getter.

“4X4XU”
Written by: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
(recorded by: Lainey Wilson)

“Espresso”
Written by: Amy Allen, Julian Bunetta, Sabrina Carpenter, Steph Jones
(recorded by: Sabrina Carpenter)

“I Had Some Help”
Written by: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Jonathan Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters
(recorded by: Morgan Wallen feat. Post Malone)

“I Never Lie”
Written by: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
(recorded by: Zach Top)

“I’m Gonna Love You”
Written by: Kelly Archer, Travis Denning, Chris Stevens
(recorded by: Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood)

“Lies Lies Lies”
Written by: Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Miller, Daniel Ross, Chris Tompkins
(recorded by: Morgan Wallen)

“One Bad Habit”
Written by: Marc Beeson, Aaron Eshuis, Tony Lane
(recorded by: Tim McGraw)

“She’s Somebody’s Daughter (Reimagined)”
Written by: Drew Baldridge, Cameron Jaymes, Jimmy Yeary
(recorded by: Drew Baldridge)

“Texas”
Written by: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
(recorded by: Blake Shelton)

“You Look Like You Love Me”
Written by: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
(recorded by: Ella Langley feat. Riley Green)

LB Cantrell
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