Nominees Unveiled For 2026 AIMP Nashville Awards

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The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has revealed the final 2026 AIMP Nashville Awards nominees. The nominee-only ceremony will take place at the Analog at the Hutton Hotel on April 14th at 7 p.m, and will be hosted by Storme Warren.

The evening will recognize the past year’s biggest hits written and promoted solely by Nashville’s independent publishing companies and their songwriters. Leading the nominations this year are Johnny Clawson with four and Jessie Jo Dillon with three.

Categories for this year’s awards include Rising Songwriter of the Year, Rising Artist-Writer of the Year, Artist-Writer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Publisher’s Pick of the Year, Song Champion of the Year, and Publisher of the Year.

“We are very excited to host our 11th AIMP Awards this year, continuing our tradition of honoring the very best independent songwriters and music publishers in Nashville! We look forward to celebrating all of these talented nominees on Tuesday, April 14th,” says Alex Heddle, Senior Vice President of Publishing at Big Machine.

The final voting period opens at 1:30 p.m. CT today (March 17), and closes at 5 p.m. CT on March 24. For any questions regarding voter eligibility and category requirements, reach out here.

2026 AIMP Nashville Awards Nominees:

Rising Songwriter Of The Year Nominees
*7 nominees (because of a tie)
Dan Alley – Independently published by River House Artists
Beau Bailey – Independently published by Tape Room Music
Jeremy Bussey – Independently published by Spirit Music Group/Fluid Music Revolution
Johnny Clawson – Independently published by SMACKSongs
Josh Dorr – Independently published by SMACKSongs
Lauren Hungate – Independently published by Concord Music Publishing
Emily Reid – Independently published by Reservoir Media

Rising Artist Writer Of The Year Nominees
*7 nominees (because of a tie)
Kassi Ashton – Independently published by Creative Nation
Tigirlily Gold – Independently published by SMACKSongs
Zach John King – Independently published by BOOM Music Group
Vincent Mason – Independently published by Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing
McCoy Moore – Independently published by SMACKSongs
Emily Ann Roberts – Independently published by Jody Williams Songs
Hudson Westbrook – Independently published by River House Artists

Songwriter Of The Year
John Byron – Independently published by Big Loud Publishing
Jessie Jo Dillon – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Ben Johnson – Independently published by Tape Room Music
Josh Miller – Independently published by Concord Music Publishing
Blake Pendergrass – Independently published by Back Blocks Music
Taylor Phillips – Independently published by Tape Room Music

Artist Writer Of The Year Nominees
Jordan Davis – Independently published by Anthem Entertainment
Russell Dickerson – Independently published by Concord Music Publishing
Hardy – Independently published by Spirit Music Group
Walker Hayes – Independently published by SMACKSongs
Carly Pearce – Independently published by Altadena Music
Zach Top – Independently published by Major Bob Music

Song Of The Year Nominees
“Am I Okay?” written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Creative Nation; Performed by Megan Moroney

“Happen To Me” written by Russell Dickerson, Jessie Jo Dillon, Robert Hazard, Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill; Independently published by Concord Music Publishing, Big Machine Music, Hang Your Hat/Concord Music Publishing; Performed by Russell Dickerson

“I Never Lie” written by Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top; Independently published by Major Bob Music; Performed by Zach Top

“Texas” written by Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock; Independently published by SMACKSongs; Performed by Blake Shelton

“Weren’t For The Wind” written by Johnny Clawson, Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor; Independently published by SMACKSongs, Verse2; Performed by Ella Langley

“20 Cigarettes” written by Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill, Josh Miller, Blake Pendergrass; Independently published by Hang Your Hat/Concord Music Publishing, Concord Music Publishing, Back Blocks Music; Performed by Morgan Wallen

Publisher’s Pick Of The Year Nominees
“Come Home To You” written by Jim McCormick, Makayla Lynn Parry, Michael Wayne Wilkes; Independently published by Eclipse Music Group, Wrensong Entertainment, Harvey Dog Songs, peermusic; Performed by Emily Ann Roberts

“Dream Come True” written by Tofer Brown, Lauren Hungate, Carly Pearce, Emily Weisband; Independently published by Concord Music Publishing, Altadena Music; Performed by Carly Pearce

“Mama I Lied” written by Rob Hatch, David Mescon, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams; Independently published by Eclipse Music Group, Major Bob Music; Performed by Megan Moroney

“Something To You” written by Johnny Clawson, McCoy Moore, Colton Venner, Will Weatherly; Independently published by SMACKSongs, Concord Music Publishing, Tape Room Publishing; Performed by McCoy Moore

“Sounds Like Something I’d Say” written by Kassi Ashton, Barry Dean, Jon Randall; Independently published by Creative Nation; Performed by Kassi Ashton and Parker McCollum

“TN” written by John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill, Taylor Phillips, Ryan Vojtesak, Morgan Wallen, Geoff Warburton; Independently published by Big Loud Publishing, SMACK Songs, Tape Room Music, Big Machine Music, Range Music; Performed by Morgan Wallen

Song Champion Of The Year Nominees
Michelle Attardi – Senior Creative Director, Big Machine Music
Emily Furman – VP of Creative, Creative Nation
Shannan Hatch – SVP, Head of Nashville Creative, SESAC
Lee Krabel – Senior Vice President of Publishing, SMACKSongs
Dave Pacula – Senior VP Creative, Liz Rose Music
Ciara Shortridge – VP, Country Publishing/A&R, Curb Word Entertainment

Top Independent Music Publishers Of The Year
Back Blocks Music
Big Loud Publishing
Big Machine Music
Concord Music Publishing
Reservoir Media
Tape Room Music

Madison Hahnen
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