NMPA Honors Songwriters At Annual Gold & Platinum Nashville Gala

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Photo: Courtesy of NMPA

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) held its 8th annual Gold & Platinum Gala at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville last night (Oct. 22).

The event honored over 150 Nashville songwriters whose hits have achieved RIAA Gold, Platinum, and Diamond certifications in the country genre within the July 2025 – June 2026 eligibility period.

Laci Kaye Booth opened the show with an acoustic performance of her 2025 single, “Daddy’s Mugshot.”

Photo: Courtesy of NMPA

NMPA President and CEO, David Israelite, presented the inaugural Legacy Songwriter Icon award to Vince Gill. The award celebrates songwriters whose work has spanned generations and whose songs are still achieving Gold & Platinum certifications decades later. Gill has received new certifications in the past year for his “Go Rest High on That Mountain” and “One More Last Chance.”

“His awards are countless,” Israelite shared. “His talent is extraordinary. His humility is legendary. But perhaps his greatest achievement is that, after all these years, his songs aren’t just standing the test of time. They’re making history.”

Charlie Handsome took home the Top Songwriter of the Year award for his 35 new certifications for songs including “Wasted On You,” “Last Night,” “You Proof” and “Heartless.”

The Platinum Anthem award, which honors the highest certified song of the year, was accepted by Rob Williford, who co-wrote Luke Combs’ 2018 hit “Beautiful Crazy” alongside Combs and Wyatt Durrette. The track was certified 15-times Platinum in December 2025. Brett Young honored the writers with a rendition of the track.

In addition to these honors, songwriting plaques were presented on stage to over 80 Multi-Platinum hitmakers.

Photo: Courtesy of NMPA

Photo: Courtesy of NMPA

Photo: Courtesy of NMPA

Lauryn Sink
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