Mac McAnally & Rod Essig To Receive Nashville Symphony’s 2026 Harmony Award

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Mac McAnally & Rod Essig

Veteran singer-songwriter, performer and producer Mac McAnally and star-making CAA agent Rod Essig will be presented with the 2026 Harmony Award by the Nashville Symphony Association. They will be honored at the 42nd annual Symphony Ball, presented by Amazon, on Dec, 12 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

A 10-time CMA Musician of the Year and longtime member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, McAnally has penned some of the biggest hits in country music, including “Two Dozen Roses,” “Old Flame,” and “Down The Road,” a massive No. 1 duet with Kenny Chesney. He will be joined onstage by Amy Grant, whose acclaimed new album he produced, and who will perform in his honor.

Essig, who co-founded CAA’s Nashville office in 1993, has been instrumental in the careers of some of icons such as Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Martina McBride, among many others, and was Leann Rimes’ first agent. He will be joined by a surprise guest to present him with his award.

Presented annually by the Nashville Symphony since 1986, the Harmony Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s music community.

“Our 2026 Harmony Award honorees have spent their careers sharing the sound and spirit of Nashville with audiences around the world,” share Symphony Ball Co-Chairs Haden Cook and Lynn Scarola. “As a member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, a prolific writer of chart-topping hits for other artists, and a stellar solo performer, Mac McAnally has delighted audiences of all ages for decades. Rod Essig, as head of Nashville’s CAA office, has launched and shepherded the careers of some of the most significant artists in country and pop music. Both of them truly embody the spirit of the Harmony Award, and we are honored to celebrate them.”

“I am both surprised and honored to be selected for the Harmony Award by the Nashville Symphony,” says McAnally. “As long as I can remember, I’ve heard all kinds of music in my head and wondered whether my head was the only place it belonged. To join the amazing list of past honorees is one more example of life outshining my ‘wildest’ dreams.”

Essig shares, “Nashville has always been a haven for music of all kinds, and the connection between Music Row and the Schermerhorn is a vital one, as this summer’s amazing Dolly Parton tribute concerts proved. I have worked with so many wonderful artists over the years, and I truly believe some of the finest musicians in the world are right here in the Nashville Symphony. It’s a true honor to receive this award, and I look forward to many more years of helping promote these superb artists, and instrumental excellence in all genres.”

Past recipients of the Harmony Award include T Bone Burnett, the Grand Ole Opry, Randy Travis, John Esposito, Kix Brooks, Lady A, Maren Morris, Keb’ Mo’, Kelsea Ballerini, Toby Keith, Steven Tyler, Béla Fleck, Miranda Lambert, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Mike and Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Chet Atkins, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, and Marty Stuart.

LB Cantrell
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