David Israelite (Chairman & CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Association) and Tim McGraw, were both honored with dedicated performances. Brett Young performed "Hallelujah" in honor of Israelite and hit songwriter Lori McKenna showed Tim McGraw her appreciation with a performance of their song, "Humble and Kind", which she wrote and he released as an artist.
Garth Brooks presented Bobby Braddock with the 2023 Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. He was honored with performances by Jimmy Yeary and Sonya Isaacs, Tracy Lawrence and Blake Shelton.
Here is the complete list of the night's winners:
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Heart Like A Truck” - Lainey Wilson
Writers: Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Ashley Gorley
SONGWRITER-ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Morgan Wallen
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Given in recognition to a songwriter whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook and who has inspired the careers of others.
Bobby Braddock
NSAI PRESIDENT’S KEYSTONE AWARD
Given in recognition of significant contributions to the betterment of all songwriters, chosen by the current NSAI President.
Tim McGraw
NSAI ADVOCACY AWARD
Bestowed by the NSAI Board of Directors to an individual who has significantly served the American songwriting community
David Israelite – Chairman & CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA)
“10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” Award Winners
The highly-coveted “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written Awards” are voted on by Professional Songwriter Members of NSAI honoring the work of their songwriter peers. Songs eligible for the award have at least one Nashville-based writer and charted in the Top 20 of Billboard Airplay chart in the Christian, country, mainstream top 40, and/or rock genres between May 1, 2022, and April 30, 2023. The NSAI Song Of The Year is the highest vote-getter.
“Anti-Hero” - Taylor Swift
Writers: Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift
“Flower Shops” - ERNEST featuring Morgan Wallen
Writers: Ben Burgess, Mark Holman, Ernest Keith Smith
“Give Heaven Some Hell” - HARDY
Writers: Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Ben Johnson, Hunter Phelps
“Human” - Cody Johnson
Writers: Tony Lane, Travis Meadows
“Tennessee Orange” - Megan Moroney
Writers: David Fanning, Megan Moroney, Paul Jenkins, Ben Williams
“Thought You Should Know” - Morgan Wallen
Writers: Nicolle Galyon, Miranda Lambert, Morgan Wallen
“Wait in the Truck” - HARDY featuring Lainey Wilson
Writers: Renee Blair, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt“
"What He Didn’t Do” - Carly Pearce
Writers: Ashley Gorley, Carly Pearce, Emily Shackelton
“You Proof” - Morgan Wallen
Writers: Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen
