2026 MusicRow Awards Nominees For Male Songwriter Of The Year

Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 38th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Male Songwriter of the Year category.

Male Songwriter of the Year nominees are honored for notable activity on high-performing country songs during the eligibility period, as determined by data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart.

This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 14 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.

Below are a selection of songs that entered the MusicRow Songwriter Chart for the Male Songwriter of the Year nominees:

John Byron
“After All The Bars Are Closed” by Thomas Rhett
“Ain’t A Bad Life” by Thomas Rhett feat. Jordan Davis
“Don’t We” by Morgan Wallen
“Eyes Are Closed” by Morgan Wallen
“Genesis” by Morgan Wallen
“Interlude” by Morgan Wallen
“Just In Case” by Morgan Wallen
“Kiss Her In Front Of You” by Morgan Wallen
“Love Somebody” by Morgan Wallen
“Smile” by Morgan Wallen
“Superman” by Morgan Wallen
“TN” by Morgan Wallen
“Woman” by Kane Brown
“What I Want” by Morgan Wallen feat. Tate McRae
“Where’d That Girl Go” by Morgan Wallen

Ashley Gorley
“Ain’t A Bad Life” by Thomas Rhett feat. Jordan Davis
“Blame Texas” by Cody Johnson
“Don’t We” by Morgan Wallen
“Favorite Country Song” by HARDY
“Fix What You Didn’t Break” by Nate Smith
“Hurts Like You” by Koe Wetzel
“Kiss Her In Front Of You” by Morgan Wallen
“Love Somebody” by Morgan Wallen
“Me & A Beer” by Chris Janson
“Not At This Party” by Dasha
“Park” by Tyler Hubbard
“She Hates Me” by Dierks Bentley
“Surrounded” by Koe Wetzel
“TN” by Morgan Wallen
“Woman” by Kane Brown

Charlie Handsome
“Come Back As A Redneck” by Morgan Wallen
“Don’t We” by Morgan Wallen
“Eyes Are Closed” by Morgan Wallen
“Falling Apart” by Morgan Wallen
“Genesis” by Morgan Wallen
“I Ain’t Comin’ Back” by Morgan Wallen
“I Got Better” by Morgan Wallen
“I’m The Problem” by Morgan Wallen
“Interlude” by Morgan Wallen
“Hell At Night” by BigXthaPlug feat. Ella Langley
“Holy Water” by Marshmello & Jelly Roll
“Just In Case” by Morgan Wallen
“Kick Myself” by Morgan Wallen
“Kiss Her In Front Of You” by Morgan Wallen
“Leavin’s The Least I Could Do” by Morgan Wallen
“Love Somebody” by Morgan Wallen
“Miami” by Morgan Wallen
“Missing” by Morgan Wallen
“Smile” by Morgan Wallen
“Superman” by Morgan Wallen
“TN” by Morgan Wallen
“What I Want” by Morgan Wallen feat. Tate McRae
“Where’d That Girl Go” by Morgan Wallen
“Whiskey In Reverse” by Morgan Wallen
“Working Man’s Song” by Morgan Wallen

Chase McGill
“20 Cigarettes” by Morgan Wallen
“Brunette” by Tucker Wetmore
“Carry On” by Kenny Chesney
“Happen To Me” by Russell Dickerson
“I Got Better” by Morgan Wallen
“It Won’t Be Long” by George Birge
“McArthur” by HARDY, Tim McGraw, Eric Church and Morgan Wallen
“Miami” by Morgan Wallen
“Missing” by Morgan Wallen
“She Hates Me” by Dierks Bentley
“Skoal, Chevy, and Browning” by Morgan Wallen
“Straight Line” by Keith Urban
“the hell you are” by Ashley Cooke
“TN” by Morgan Wallen
“Water At A Wedding” by Greylan James

Josh Miller
“20 Cigarettes” by Morgan Wallen
“3,2,1” by Tucker Wetmore
“Brunette” by Tucker Wetmore
“Crazy Eyes” by Morgan Wallen
“Country And She Knows It” by Luke Bryan
“Friday Night Heartbreaker” by Jon Pardi
“LA Night” by Morgan Wallen
“Leavin’s The Least I Could Do” by Morgan Wallen
“Lies Lies Lies” by Morgan Wallen
“Nothin’ Left” by Morgan Wallen
“Skoal, Chevy, and Browning” by Morgan Wallen
“Working Man’s Song” by Morgan Wallen

Blake Pendergrass
“20 Cigarettes” by Morgan Wallen
“Ain’t A Bad Life” by Thomas Rhett feat. Jordan Davis
“Brunette” by Tucker Wetmore
“Don’t We” by Morgan Wallen
“Eyes Are Closed” by Morgan Wallen
“Falling Apart” by Morgan Wallen
“Genesis” by Morgan Wallen
“Heart Of Stone” by Jelly Roll
“I Got Better” by Morgan Wallen
“Interlude” by Morgan Wallen
“Just In Case” by Morgan Wallen
“Miami” by Morgan Wallen
“Missing” by Morgan Wallen
“Number 3 And Number 7” by Morgan Wallen
“Superman” by Morgan Wallen
“The Dealer” by Morgan Wallen
“Wish You Well” by Vincent Mason
“Where’d That Girl Go” by Morgan Wallen
“Working Man’s Song” by Morgan Wallen