The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has wrapped up their 25th Annual Song Contest and has revealed that “Love Lies,” submitted by Josie Bisto, has won the Song Category Grand Prize.

Bisto’s Grand Prize includes $5,000, a one-on-one mentor session with Shane McAnally, a one-year single-song publishing contract with Dream 3 Publishing, a Taylor Guitars 50th Anniversary guitar and a $1,500 Guitar Center gift card, courtesy of the Guitar Center Music Foundation, among other prizes.

“Love Lies” will be performed by co-writer Meagan Allen at the 33rd annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival on March 27 at 3rd and Lindsley Nashville on the Visit Music City Stage, opening the round presented by 95.5 NASH ICON.

Further prizes include a performance opportunity at The Bluebird Cafe, industry meetings, a Musicnotes sheet music transcription with a $100 gift card, a 12-month SoundCloud Artist Pro subscription, a custom engraved capo package from G7th, a Southwest Airlines roundtrip flight, a two-night stay in Nashville, a $250 gift card and more.

Additionally, “Don’t You Hear Me Say No?” submitted by Sharon O’Donnell was named the Lyric Category Grand Prize winner. O’Donnell claimed $2,500 cash, a mentor session with Jessie Jo Dillon, a Taylor Guitars 50th Anniversary guitar, a meeting with Dream 3 Publishing, a roundtrip Southwest Airlines flight, a two-night Nashville stay, a year-long SoundCloud Artist Pro subscription, a custom engraved capo package from G7th, a $250 gift card, two tickets to a show at The Bluebird Cafe, $1,500 to spend at Guitar Center, a $100 Musicnotes gift card with a plaque of the winning lyrics and more.

Along with the main contest, SoundCloud partnered with NSAI for NSAI Presents: The SoundCloud Standout Award. This award was given to the person with the most hearted song in a playlist of the top ten finalists in the Song Category. Claire Flynt earned the award with her song “Bigger Person”. Flynt will receive a SoundCloud prize pack including a one-on-one meeting with a SoundCloud Representative, a SoundCloud Merch Pack and a one-year SoundCloud Artist Pro Account.

Full Song Contest Results:

Song Category Grand Prize Winner
Josie Bisto (Nashville, TN) – “Love Lies”, co-written by: Meagan Allen, Corben Champoux

Song Category Runners-Up
Sam Blasko (Nashville, TN) – “Second Wife”, co-written by: Olivia DaPonte, Ryan Kohn
Tim Comeaux (North Easton, MA) – “Dumpster Diving”, co-written by: Andrea Brodeur, Steve Brown
Claire Flynt (Nashville, TN) – “Love To Love Him Someday”, co-written by: Ingrid Enckell and “Bigger Person”, co-written by: Connor Gehlert, Eliza Harrison Smith
Rachel Harvey Hill (Nashville, TN) – “Barkley Lake”
Alex Lomartire (Mt. Juliet, TN) – “It’s Easier Said”, co-written by: Lauren Hedges, Jann Kohm
Elizabeth Makris (Nashville, TN) – “Downward Spiral”, co-written by: Kristian Asbøll, Gustav Fjäll, Martine Lausund
Brad McKinney (Nashville, TN) – “Single Of The Year”, co-written by John Frank, Lauren Spring
Emma Place (Nashville, TN) – “On The Run”, co-written by: Tyler Skye, Eliza Harrison Smith

Song Category Honorable Mentions
Sam Comfort – “Down And Out”
Carin Fradin – “As Old As I Can”
Hayley Payne – “Raisin’ Hell”
Laura Pearson – “Take Me Back”
Kiersten Rae – “Where The Heart Is”
Daniel Segall – “Played By The Rules”
Gabe Walsh – “Goodyears”
Ralston Wells – “Best Thing On Earth”
Kate Zickler – “College Try” and “You Just Won’t Listen”

Lyric Category Grand Prize Winner
Sharon O’Donnell (Cary, NC) – “Don’t You Hear Me Say No?”

Lyric Category Runner Up
James Maltese (Nashville, TN) – “Grass Roots”, co-written by: Lauren Murray, Tracy Richardson

Applications are now open for CMA’s Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA), a free professional development program for up to 16 women that involves interactive group coaching for high-performing, high-potential women leaders within the country music business.

The CMA Women’s Leadership Academy is designed to give participants leadership skills while promoting a culture of community among women. Participants are offered educational sessions, bi-monthly group coaching and more.

Eligible women have at least five years of experience in the industry or are at a senior level in their organization; experience or interest in managing people or a team at some point in the duration of career; ability to attend all curriculum sessions in the WLA program; work mainly in country music genre and be a CMA member.

Applications close on March 31. Click here to apply.

Executive Coaches Lisa Gamble of Gamble Coaching & Consulting LLC and Nicole Provonchee of Bright Blue Consulting return as coaches this year. The two share decades of coaching experience as well as a passion for supporting women leaders throughout their journeys. Topics explored during coaching sessions will include personal branding, career mobility, DEI, conflict navigation, self-advocacy and negotiation in addition to self-promotion and influence.

Music Night: Live from Nashville! made history last Saturday night (March 8) as the first songwriters round broadcast live directly to more than 400+ movie theaters nationwide from the Analog in Nashville.

Music lovers across the country experienced an unforgettable night of storytelling and song during the live event, whether it was in the room at the Analog or in a theatre in their city. Audiences were treated to a stripped-down, intimate musical experience featuring Grammy and CMA Award-winning songwriters Brett James, Kelly Archer and Matt Jenkins.

They also got to see behind-the-scenes insights, and hilarious and touching stories of how these songs came to be with live performances of their iconic hits including: “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Setting the World on Fire,” “Cop Car,” “Sleep Without You” and more.

Presented by Fathom Entertainment, Music Night: Live from Nashville! took audiences inside the heart of Music City’s legendary songwriter tradition, shining a spotlight on the creative minds behind country’s biggest hits. Hosted by radio and TV personality Bobby Bones, the one-of-a-kind theatrical event offered unfiltered performances and the deeply personal stories behind the songs that have defined a generation.

Nashville-based, alternative, pop and country singer-songwriter Zachary Knowles has signed a global publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing.

The 25-year-old Magnolia, Texas native has been creating and sharing music on SoundCloud since his teenage years. Determined to release music professionally during his freshman year of college, he achieved success with a series of well-received singles that eventually led to his debut EP. Drawing influences from artists like John Mayer, Post Malone and Justin Bieber, Knowles made a significant impact in the pop and indie-R&B scenes. In 2019, he toured as an opening act for Alec Benjamin and garnered attention with his early EPs, Feelings and Magnolia.

“Concord feels like family,” shares Knowles. “When I met Melissa [Spillman], it felt like I’d known her for years. The thing that stuck out to me most was her genuine care, and interest in the human behind the art. She quickly became a champion for the vision and goals I have for my career and hit the ground running long before my signing. Shoutout to Lily Bunta too for believing in my journey and working hard to make things happen. I can’t wait to celebrate big things with this team in the near future and couldn’t be happier with who’s next to me.”

In 2021, Knowles released his debut album, Tendency To Be A Loner, and followed it up in July with his latest EP, Look Mom, No Hands. Knowles has amassed over 50 million global streams and nearly half a million monthly listeners on the Spotify. He’s also built a strong presence on TikTok, gaining over 78,000 followers. His music is deeply rooted in the ethos of his small-town upbringing, young love and the lessons learned through growing up.

“When I first met Zachary, I felt an instant creative connection,” says Spillman, VP A&R at Concord Music Publishing in Nashville. “He is a multi-faceted songwriter and artist who can create great music in so many different genres, and I am thrilled to have him join the Concord family. He is one-of-a-kind, and I look forward to celebrating many successes together!”

Steve Hodges Joins Craig Campbell Promotion Team

Industry veteran Steve Hodges has joined Craig Campbell‘s promotion team taking his uptempo single “Missing You” to country radio. Hodges, who left his role as Exec. VP of Promotion and Artist Development at Sony Music Nashville at the end of 2024, brings decades of experience as a consultant to Campbell’s team under the Hodges Entertainment umbrella.

“Missing You,” written by Jonathan Singleton, Barry Dean and Dave Barnes, was originally released on Campbell’s 2018 See You Try album. He recorded the updated version of the song, which has been a fan favorite for many years.

 

CMA Hosts STEAM Education Panel At SXSWedu

CMA hosted a session, “Backstage Pass: STEAM Behind Country Music’s Biggest Night,” at SXSWedu this year, providing an engaging discussion about the role of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education in the music industry. The conversation was led by Franklin Willis, Emmy winner and Director of Visual and Performing Arts for Metro Nashville Public Schools, and explored how STEAM skills are woven into every part of live event production.

Panel participants included key figures from the CMA Awards production team, including Jessica Basile, Post-Production Supervisor; Danny Rader, Musical Director; and Robert Deaton, Executive Producer. Each offered valuable insights into how the CMA Awards come to life using STEAM, and how these skills shape the future of country.

 

Randy Rogers Band Celebrates Gold & Platinum At Ryman

Randy Rogers Band celebrated three RIAA certifications at their sold-out Ryman Show on Saturday night (March 8), marking three consecutive years selling out shows at the Mother Church of Country Music. The evening began with fellow Texans Josh Abbott Band playing some of their fan-favorite hits and infusing the room with the Lone Star spirit. Kid Rock later walked out on stage joined by Erin Burr of the RIAA to announce the group earned three new RIAA certifications, Gold for “Buy Myself A Chance,” Platinum for “Kiss Me in the Dark” and Platinum for “In My Arms Instead.”

 

Jason Scott & The High Heat Named Emerging Group of the Year at Texas Music Awards

Jason Scott & The High Heat have been named Emerging Group of the Year at the inaugural Texas Music Awards, recognizing their rising impact in the Americana and Texas music scene. With the upcoming release of their new album, American Grin, the group has been turning heads with their blend of heartland rock, roadhouse country and electrified Americana. The Texas Music Awards were created to shine a light on independent artists who don’t always fit into mainstream categories but play a vital role in shaping Texas music.

 

Roger Cook Spearheads Third Annual Our Place Nashville Benefit March 19

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Roger Cook is helping empower adults with developmental disabilities by spearheading the third benefit concert for Our Place Nashville March 19 at 3rd & Lindsley. Our Place Nashville partners with nonprofits to provide Friendship Houses, inclusive, affordable housing for adults with developmental disabilities, while also promoting meaningful work opportunities to give residents the means to live independently.

Performing at the in the round at 3rd & Lindsley will be Cook, Pat Alger, Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman, Dickey Lee, Earl Bud Lee, Richard Leigh, Billy Prine and Leslie Satcher. Cook’s daughter Katie, a longtime CMT host, will serve as emcee for the evening. Tickets are available here.

The Cooks’ interest in Our Place Nashville has a personal element—Cook’s older daughter and Katie’s big sister, Joanne, had an intellectual and developmental disability. Though Joanne passed away in 2018 and unfortunately never had the opportunity to live in a Friendship House, one of the Nashville houses is named after her, and she was able to attend one of the benefits before she passed away.