Justin Ebach Named Songwriter of the Year
“It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” Named Song of the Year
Warner Chappell (W.B.M. Music Corp) Named Publisher of the Year
(Nashville, Tenn. – Nov. 6, 2017): SESAC Inc., the nation’s only music rights organization in the country, celebrated its songwriters and music publishers behind the year’s most-performed country and Americana songs at the company’s Nashville Music Awards held Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Sponsors for this year’s event include Bose® and Sound Royalties.
Justin Ebach, who has topped the charts with smash hit “Sleep Without You” performed by Brett Young, was named SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year. This was not only the debut single for Young, but also the first No. 1 country song for the songwriter.
“It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To,” written by Cary Barlowe, published by Castle Bound Music and Spirit Nashville Three, and recorded by Billy Currington, was named SESAC Song of the Year.
Warner Chappell Music was honored as Publisher of the Year at the event.
This year, a SESAC Legacy Award was presented to music icon Kenny Rogers, who has made immeasurable contributions to the world of entertainment and paved the way for countless songwriters and artists.
The seven-time GRAMMY-winning trio Lady Antebellum was honored with the SESAC Humanitarian Award for their generous contributions and philanthropic efforts through LadyAID®.
In addition, SESAC was proud to recognize Michael Knox, vice president of peer music, for his notable accolades in recent years. Knox has produced more than 20 No. 1 hits that have resulted in more than 40 million singles and 18 million albums sold. He’s won multiple CMA and ACM awards, and produced some of country’s biggest acts, including Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Montgomery Gentry and Michael Tyler, just to name a few.
The awards ceremony kicked off with Old Crow Medicine Show performing a lively rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” to celebrate the 50thanniversary of the legendary album Blonde On Blonde. The evening also featured memorable ballad tributes to Kenny Rogers including “Twenty Years Ago,” performed by Lee Brice; “Lady,” performed by Craig Campbell; “The Gambler,” performed by Dustin Lynch; and “Don’t Fall In Love With A Dreamer,” performed by Kim Carnes and Andy Childs. Lastly, recording artist Billy Currington performed the SESAC Song of the Year “It Don’t’ Hurt Like It Used To.” Guest presenters included Billy Currington, Linda Davis, Jim Lauderdale, Dustin Lynch, John Pardi, Luke Pell and Hillary Scott.
The festive event, hosted by Shannan Hatch, SESAC’s vice president of Creative Services, honored top songwriters and publishers behind the year’s biggest hits in the genres of country and Americana. SESAC is the only PRO that awards songwriters and publishers in Americana music. More than 500 songwriters, publishers and industry professionals attended the awards dinner, sponsored by Bose® and Sound Royalties.
Country Awards:
“BABY, LET’S LAY DOWN AND DANCE”
written by:
Kim Williams, Victoria Shaw
published by:
All My Soul Music, Victoria Shaw Songs, Castle Bound Music
recorded by:
Garth Brooks
“FLATLINER”
written by:
Matthew Bronleewe, Jaron Boyer
published by:
Forest For The Trees Music, So Essential Tunes, Jaron Boyer Music, peertunes ltd
recorded by:
Cole Swindell
“HEARTACHE ON THE DANCE FLOOR”
written by:
Brice Long
published by:
BLongSongs, Wordspring Music, W.B.M. Music Corp.
recorded by:
Jon Pardi
“IT DON’T HURT LIKE IT USED TO”
written by:
Cary Barlowe
published by:
Castle Bound Music, Spirit Nashville Three
recorded by:
Billy Currington
“LIPSTICK”
written by:
Caroline Hobby, Naomi Cooke
published by:
Hyper Hobby Music, Thunder Cookie, Fabulicious Music, Hatchoooo Music Publishing, BMG / Legends of Magic Mustang Music, Music of Platinum Pen, W.B.M. Music Corp.
recorded by:
Runaway June
“MAKE YOU MINE”
written by:
Seth Mosley
published by:
CentricSongs, Capitol CMG Amplifier, Music Services Inc
recorded by:
High Valley
“SLEEP WITHOUT YOU”
written by:
Justin Ebach
published by:
Wordspring Music, W.B.M. Music Corp.
recorded by:
Brett Young
“MY OLD MAN”
written by:
Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti, Niko Moon
published by:
Day For The Dead Publishing, Simonetti Music Publishing, Siva Moon Publishing, W.B.M. Music Corp., Reach Music Tunes, Kobalt Group Publishing
recorded by:
Zac Brown Band
“OUTSKIRTS OF HEAVEN”
written by:
Craig Campbell
published by:
Skabetti Bowl of Songs Publishing, BMG/Legends of Magic Mustang Music, W.B.M. Music Corp.
recorded by:
Craig Campbell
“SEEIN’ RED”
written by:
Steve Bogard
published by:
Casa Del Amor Music, BMG/Legends of Magic Mustang Music, W.B.M. Music Corp.
recorded by:
Dustin Lynch
“THEY DON’T KNOW”
written by:
Jaron Boyer
published by:
Jaron Boyer Music, peertunes ltd
recorded by:
Jason Aldean
“WHAT IFS”
written by:
Matt McGinn
published by:
SMACKWORKS Music, Kobalt Group Publishing
recorded by:
Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina
Americana Awards:
50 Years of Blonde on Blonde
recorded by:
Old Crow Medicine Show
contributions by:
Bob Dylan
published by:
Special Rider Music
Black Irish
recorded by:
Shannon McNally
contributions by:
Beth Nielsen Chapman
published by:
Songs of Prismlight Music
Duende
recorded by:
The Band of Heathens
contributions by:
Ed Jurdi, Gordon Quist
published by:
Three Pisces Music, Victrolacaster Music
God’s Problem Child
recorded by:
Willie Nelson
contributions by:
Sam Hunter, Jamey Johnson
published by:
Isbee Music, Johala, Polishit, EMI Foray Music, Me Gusta Red Music, Critter City Music
London Southern
recorded by:
Jim Lauderdale
contributions by:
Jim Lauderdale
published by:
Ginger Dragon Music, BMG Cicada
Not Dark Yet
recorded by:
Shelby Lynne & Allison Moorer
contributions by:
Allison Moorer, Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain
published by:
PetyBug Tunes, Special Rider Music, The End of Music LLC, W.B.M. Music Corp.,
BMG Silver Songs
Shine On Rainy Day
recorded by:
Brent Cobb
contributions by:
Andrew Combs
published by:
Chunk of Coal Publishing, Tunes of R and T Direct
So You Wannabe An Outlaw
recorded by:
Steve Earle
contributions by:
Allison Moorer
published by:
PeteyBug Tunes, W.B.M. Music Corp.
Tell the Devil I’m Getting’ There As Fast As I Can
recorded by:
Ray Wylie Hubbard
contributions by:
Ray Wylie Hubbard
published by:
Snake Farm Publishing, BMG Cicada
This Changes Everything
recorded by:
Jim Lauderdale
contributions by:
Jim Lauderdale, Hayes Carll
published by:
Jim Lauderdale Music, Highway 87 Publishing, BMG Cicada
Waiting on a Song
recorded by:
Dan Auerbach
contributions by:
Bobby Wood
published by:
Janwood Music
