NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) hosted the AIMP Nashville Awards last night at the Ryman Auditorium. The third annual awards show, sponsored by the Academy of Country Music and Spotify, featured performances by Nashville’s hottest up-and-coming artists and honored the independent music publishing community’s accomplishments from the last year.
“It’s so important to recognize and honor the art of crafting songs, and I’m extremely proud to be a part of an organization that takes such care in celebrating our independent publishing community,” said AIMP Nashville President John Ozier. “The Nashville chapter of the AIMP created this awards show three years ago, and it’s been very rewarding to see it evolve each year. Last night was once again so special and I look forward to many more years to come.”
The 2018 AIMP Nashville Awards was an invitation-only event, open to Nashville’s independent music publishing community, filling the Ryman seats with 700 of Nashville’s most talented and creative independent writers, artists and music industry professionals. The show featured performances by nominees Kassi Ashton, Luke Combs, Jordan Davis, Devin Dawson, Hannah Ellis, Jillian Jacqueline, Ashley McBryde, Steve Moakler and Jameson Rodgers. Each nominee performed a nominated song that was originally recorded by another artist.
The recognition of Jeff Carlton as the AIMP Nashville Independent Spirit was a highlight of the evening. A video honoring Carlton’s impact on the independent music publishing community shared remarks from songwriters, producers and publishers that he has collaborated with over the last 25 years. Although Carlton couldn’t be there to accept the award, his son Robert Carlton said a few words on his behalf.
The AIMP Nashville Awards recognized winners in ten total categories, with a common focus on songwriting and publishing. The full list of nominees and winners can be found below; for more information visit aimpnashvilleawards.com
AIMP NASHVILLE RISING SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Michael Hardy
Matt McGinn
Mitch Rossell
Emily Shackelton
Josh Thompson (WINNER)
Jordan Walker
AIMP NASHVILLE RISING ARTIST-WRITER OF THE YEAR
Kassi Ashton
Hannah Ellis
Jillian Jacqueline
Ashley McBryde (WINNER)
Steve Moakler
Jameson Rodgers
AIMP NASHVILLE ARTIST-WRITER OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne
Luke Combs
Jordan Davis
Devin Dawson
Maren Morris
Old Dominion (WINNER)
AIMP NASHVILLE SONG CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Janine Appleton Ebach (WINNER)
Stephanie Cox
Leslie DiPiero
Shannan Hatch
Lee Krabel
Jeff Skaggs
AIMP NASHVILLE PUBLISHER’S PICK
“Craig” written Walker Hayes
SMACKSongs, Rarespark Media Group
“Dear Hate” written by Maren Morris, Tom Douglas, David Hodges
Big Yellow Dog Music, Kobalt Music (WINNER)
“Good Company” written by Matt Alderman, Tommy Cecil, Jared Mullins
Curb/Word Music Publishing, HoriPro Entertainment Group, Big Deal Music
“Happy People” written by Lori McKenna, Hailey Whitters
Creative Nation Music, Carnival Music, Pulse Music
“I Should Go To Church Sometime” written by Brinley Addington, Michael Hardy, Sarah Turner
HoriPro Entertainment Group, Watsky Music, True Bearing Entertainment
“Space Cowboy” written by Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally
Creative Nation Music, SMACKSongs
AIMP NASHVILLE SONG OF THE YEAR
“All On Me” written by Devin Dawson, Jacob Durrett, Austin Smith
Neon Cross Music
“Drinkin’ Problem” written by Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Black River Publishing, SMACKSongs (WINNER)
“Heartache On The Dance Floor” written by Jon Pardi, Bart Butler, Brice Long
Song Factory, Curb/Word Music Publishing
“I Could Use A Love Song” written by Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz
Big Yellow Dog Music, Round Hill Music, Big Machine Music
“I’ll Name The Dogs” written by Matt Dragstrem, Ben Hayslip, Josh Thompson
Big Loud Publishing, Round Hill Music, THiS Music, Big Machine Music
“Marry Me” written by Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally
Major Bob Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Combustion Music, Round Hill Music, SMACKSongs
“Yours” written by Russell Dickerson, Casey Brown, Parker Welling
3 Ring Circus Music
AIMP NASHVILLE SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Jesse Frasure
Ashley Gorley
Ben Hayslip
Hillary Lindsey
Shane McAnally (WINNER)
Josh Osborne
AIMP NASHVILLE PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR
Big Loud Publishing
Big Machine Music
Combustion Music
Rezonant Music
Round Hill Music
SMACKSongs (WINNER)
AIMP NASHVILLE INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
Jeff Carlton (WINNER)
SPOTIFY COUNTRY TOP SPOT
“Body Like a Back Road” written by Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Independently published by Combustion Music, Tape Room Music, SMACKSongs (WINNER)