ASCAP Honors Top Songwriters & Publishers At 2025 Nashville Celebration

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ASCAP winners Shaboozey, Ashley Gorley and Brandon Lake. Photo: Courtesy of ASCAP

ASCAP celebrated the songwriters and publishers behind country and Christian music’s most-performed songs of the past year at the 2025 ASCAP Nashville Songwriters Celebration last night (Nov. 17).

Held once again at The Twelve Thirty Club, invited guests mingled under warm, ambient lighting while sipping cocktails and enjoying an abundant spread that included a sushi bar, chicken cutlets, prime rib, hummus and crudité, onion dip, house-made kettle chips and more.

ASCAP Publisher of the Year Sony Music Publishing. Photo: Courtesy of ASCAP

When the ceremony began, ASCAP Vice President of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad took the podium. He recognized Emmylou Harris and Brad Paisley on their inductions into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with Ashley Gorley, who joined the Songwriters Hall of Fame this year.

Sistad then welcomed ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews, who reflected on the strength of the Nashville community and acknowledged three tremendous losses for ASCAP and the songwriting world: John Titta, Ben Vaughn and Brett James.

From there, awards were presented throughout the evening by Sistad, Matthews, ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams and EVP and Head of Creative Membership Nicole George-Middleton.

Shaboozey was named ASCAP Country Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year. At the podium, he spoke about overcoming self-doubt and the gift of songwriting, sharing, “I learned very early on it was a gift to be able to write a song. Thank God for that gift… It took a lot of people to gain my confidence as a songwriter,” before thanking his team and collaborators.

Sony Music Publishing earned ASCAP Country Music Publisher of the Year. The company’s Nashville CEO, Rusty Gaston, recognized his team and the Sony songwriters who made an impact this year.

“This has been a remarkably tragic year for our community, but what we’re all reminded of is the power of songs,” Gaston said. “The songs you wrote every day this year helped all of us get through this.”

ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad, Ashley Gorley, ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews and ASCAP EVP and Head of Creative Membership Nicole George-Middleton. Photo: Courtesy of ASCAP

ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year winner Ashley Gorley notched his record-extending 12th win—more than any other songwriter across any genre. He thanked God, his family, friends and teams before reading a list of all the first-time ASCAP winners of the evening, noting that his own first win made him feel like a legitimate professional songwriter.

This year’s celebration also spotlighted the most-performed Christian music songs of the past year and recognized the previously announced winners. Essential Music Publishing was named Christian Publisher of the Year, while Brandon Lake and Pat Barrett earned ASCAP Christian Song of the Year honors for “Praise.” Lake also took home his second ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year award.

“My biggest dream came true years and years ago—God has been so kind—this is just the overflow,” Lake shared. “We’re heading into 2026 with the collision of Christian and country music on my mind.”

For the last big honor of the evening, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” was awarded ASCAP Country Music Song of the Year. Co-written by Sean Cook, Jerrell “J-Kwon” Jones, Joe Capo Kent and Mark “Tarboy” Williams, the hit topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 weeks, tying the record for the longest-running No. 1 song ever.

Click here to see the full list of winners.

LB Cantrell
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