The annual SESAC Nashville Music Awards celebrated the year’s most-performed country and Americana songs, honoring songwriters and music publishers. The event, held at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, was an exciting kick-off to CMA Awards week in Nashville. Michael Tyler was named SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year, recognized for his hit songs “Cowboy Songs” (George Birge), “Holy Smokes” (Bailey Zimmerman), and “This Heart” (Corey Kent).
To commemorate this achievement, Tyler received a custom guitar from Gibson and a one-of-a-kind ring from Jostens. The evening’s big winner was “Am I Okay?” by Megan Moroney, which took home SESAC’s Song of the Year award. Co-writer Jessie Jo Dillon surprised Moroney with the award during the celebration.
Warner Chappell Music was also recognized as Publisher of the Year after winning multiple awards. The night featured several surprise performances, including Kelsea Ballerini presenting her longtime co-writer and producer Alysa Vanderheym with an award for the song “Baggage,” their collaboration on Kelsea’s new EP Mount Pleasant. Stephen Wilson Jr. opened the show with a heartfelt performance of his new single “Gary,” ahead of his 2026 tour.
Emily Ann Roberts paid tribute to SESAC affiliates Jim Lauderdale and Steve Bogard with a performance of their hits “Carried Away” and “Hole In My Head.” Megan Moroney also performed her latest single “Beautiful Things,” building anticipation for her upcoming album Cloud 9 due out in February. The event, hosted by SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, ET Brown, and Lydia Cahill, attracted over 500 songwriters, publishers, and music industry professionals. It was sponsored by Hatef Aesthetics.
SESAC Nashville Music Awards Honorees:“Am I Okay?”Written and performed by Megan MoroneyPublished by: Megan MoroneyRecorded by: Megan Moroney“Boys Back Home”Written by: Joe FoxPublished by: Real Bad Songs, Liz Rose Music, Warner Chappell MusicRecorded by: Dylan Marlowe and Dylan Scott“Cowboy Songs”Written by: Lalo Guzman, Matt McGinn, Michael TylerPublished by: MT Room, Boom Town Songs, Warner Chappell MusicRecorded by: George Birge“I Am Not Okay”Written by: Casey BrownPublished by: Track & Feels, Warner Chappell MusicRecorded by: Jelly Roll“Holy Smokes”Written by: Michael TylerPublished by: MT Room, Young Guns TunesRecorded by: Bailey Zimmerman“Relapse”Written by: Justin EbachPublished by: El Chapo MusicRecorded by: Warren Zeiders“Single Again”Written by: Joe FoxPublished by: Real Bad Songs, Liz Rose Music, Warner Chappell MusicRecorded by: Josh Ross“Texas”Written by: Lalo GuzmanPublished by: SMACKWORKS MusicRecorded by: Blake Shelton“This Heart”Written by: Blake Bollinger, Michael TylerPublished by: MT Room, Young Guns TunesRecorded by: Corey Kent“Truck On Fire”Written by: Justin EbachPublished by: Phat Racoon, Universal TunesRecorded by: Carly Pearce“Wind Up Missin’ You”Written by: Chris LaCortePublished by: Card Tables Music, Hang Your Hat HitsRecorded by: Tucker Wetmore“Baggage”Written by: Alysa VanderheymPublished by: Vandeezy Songs, Warner Chappell MusicRecorded by: Kelsea Ballerini“Break It Right Back”Written by: Rob Hatch, Megan MoroneyPublished by: Shannanigans PublishingRecorded by: Megan Moroney“Happen to Me”Written by: Chris LaCortePublished by: Card Tables MusicRecorded by: Russell Dickerson“Caroline”Written by: Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, Ben LovettPublished by: Universal Polygram International Tunes IncRecorded by: Mumford & Sons“Rushmere”Written by: Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, Ben LovettPublished by: Universal Polygram International Tunes IncRecorded by: Mumford & Sons“Progress of Man (Bitcoin & Cattle)”Written by: Hayes CarllPublished by: Highway 87 PublishingRecorded by: Hayes Carll“Any Other Way”Written by: Hayes CarllPublished by: Highway 87 PublishingRecorded by: Hayes & The Heathens“Dance with a Stranger”Written by: Rachael PricePublished by: 17 Lake Street MusicRecorded by: Lake Street Dive“Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down”Written by: Margo Price, Jeremy IveyPublished by: Peach Pit, Fisheye, Good Songs We LoveRecorded by: Margo Price#SESAC #SongwriterOfTheYear #MeganMoroney #CountryMusic #Americana #MusicAwards #KelseaBallerini #NashvilleMusic #SESACAwards #MeganMoroneyMusic
