Where the Songs Begin: Inside the 2026 AIMP Nashville Awards Nominations

The heartbeat of Music City doesn’t always roar from the biggest stages, it often hums quietly behind closed doors, where songwriters chase truth line by line and independent publishers bet on instinct over industry. That spirit will take center stage this spring.

The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has unveiled the nominees for the 2026 AIMP Nashville Awards, an annual celebration that doesn’t just recognize hits, it honors the architects behind them. Set for April 14 at the Analog inside the Hutton Hotel, the invite-only evening promises something rarer than spectacle: a room full of the people who actually write the songs.

Now in its eleventh year, the AIMP Awards have carved out a unique space in Nashville’s crowded awards landscape, spotlighting the independent community that continues to shape the sound of country music from the ground up. Hosted by veteran radio voice Storme Warren, the night is less about flash and more about foundation.

“We are very excited to host our 11th AIMP Awards this year, continuing our tradition of honoring the very best independent songwriters and music publishers in Nashville,” said Alex Heddle, Senior Vice President of Publishing at Big Machine. “We look forward to celebrating all of these talented nominees.”

And talent is in no short supply.

This year’s nominations reflect a genre in motion, where traditional storytelling meets a new generation of voices unafraid to blur lines. The Rising Songwriter of the Year category, expanded to seven nominees due to a tie, reads like a blueprint for Nashville’s next decade, with names like Lauren Hungate, Josh Dorr, and Emily Reid signaling a wave of writers whose pens are already reshaping the format.

Equally compelling is the Rising Artist-Writer of the Year field, a category that underscores one of country music’s defining evolutions: artists reclaiming authorship of their own stories. Among the nominees are breakout voices like Vincent Mason and Emily Ann Roberts, alongside Zach John King, a fast-rising songwriter-artist whose presence here reflects the growing influence of independent creatives navigating both sides of the microphone.

At the top of the ballot, the Songwriter of the Year and Artist-Writer of the Year categories read like a who’s who of modern Nashville craftsmanship. Jessie Jo Dillon, Ben Johnson, and Taylor Phillips represent the elite class of hitmakers shaping radio, while artists like HARDY, Carly Pearce, and Jordan Davis continue to prove that commercial success and songwriting credibility are no longer mutually exclusive.

But perhaps the most revealing category each year is Song of the Year, a snapshot of what truly resonated. From Megan Moroney’s introspective “Am I Okay?” to Morgan Wallen’s smoky “20 Cigarettes,” and Zach Top’s traditionalist-leaning “I Never Lie,” the nominees reflect a genre stretching in multiple directions at once, anchored by strong writing at its core.

Elsewhere, the Publisher’s Pick of the Year category highlights the songs that industry insiders couldn’t ignore, cuts like “Dream Come True” and “Sounds Like Something I’d Say” that may not just live on charts, but in the DNA of Nashville’s creative community.

And behind every great song is someone who fought for it. The Song Champion of the Year nominees, executives and creatives like Emily Furman, Lee Krabel, and Ciara Shortridge, represent the often-unsung advocates who ensure great songs don’t stay hidden.

Closing out the night’s honors, the Top Independent Music Publisher award will go to one of six powerhouse companies, including Big Loud Publishing, Concord Music Publishing, and Tape Room Music, all of whom continue to prove that independence and impact are not mutually exclusive in today’s industry.

In a town built on stories, the AIMP Awards serve as a reminder: before the lights, before the tours, before the streams, there is always a song. And more often than not, it starts in a small room, with an independent voice and something honest to say.

Full List Of Nominees

Rising Songwriter Of The Year Nominees

*7 nominees (because of a tie)

Dan Alley - Independently published by River House Artists

Beau Bailey - Independently published by Tape Room Music

Jeremy Bussey - Independently published by Spirit Music Group

Johnny Clawson - Independently published by SMACKSongs

Josh Dorr - Independently published by SMACKSongs

Lauren Hungate - Independently published by Concord Music Publishing

Emily Reid - Independently published by Reservoir Media

Rising Artist Writer Of The Year Nominees

*7 nominees (because of a tie)

Kassi Ashton - Independently published by Creative Nation

Tigirlily Gold - Independently published by SMACKSongs

Zach John King - Independently published by BOOM Music Group

Vincent Mason - Independently published by Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing

McCoy Moore - Independently published by SMACKSongs

Emily Ann Roberts - Independently published by Jody Williams Songs

Hudson Westbrook - Independently published by River House Artists

Songwriter Of The Year

John Byron - Independently published by Big Loud Publishing

Jessie Jo Dillon - Independently published by Big Machine Music

Ben Johnson - Independently published by Tape Room Music

Josh Miller - Independently published by Concord Music Publishing

Blake Pendergrass - Independently published by Back Blocks Music

Taylor Phillips - Independently published by Tape Room Music

Artist Writer Of The Year Nominees

Jordan Davis - Independently published by Anthem Entertainment

Russell Dickerson - Independently published by Concord Music Publishing

Hardy - Independently published by Relative Music Group, Spirit Music Group

Walker Hayes - Independently published by SMACKSongs

Carly Pearce - Independently published by Altadena Music

Zach Top - Independently published by Major Bob Music

Song Of The Year Nominees

“Am I Okay?” written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Creative Nation; Performed by Megan Moroney

“Happen To Me” written by Russell Dickerson, Jessie Jo Dillon, Robert Hazard, Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill; Independently published by Concord Music Publishing, Big Machine Music, Hang Your Hat/Concord Music Publishing; Performed by Russell Dickerson

“I Never Lie” written by Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top; Independently published by Major Bob Music; Performed by Zach Top

“Texas” written by Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock; Independently published by SMACKSongs; Performed by Blake Shelton

“Weren't For The Wind” written by Johnny Clawson, Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor; Independently published by SMACKSongs, Verse2; Performed by Ella Langley

“20 Cigarettes” written by Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill, Josh Miller, Blake Pendergrass; Independently published by Hang Your Hat/Concord Music Publishing, Concord Music Publishing, Back Blocks Music; Performed by Morgan Wallen

Publisher’s Pick Of The Year Nominees

“Come Home To You” written by Jim McCormick, Makayla Lynn Parry, Michael Wayne Wilkes; Independently published by Eclipse Music Group, Wrensong Entertainment, Harvey Dog Songs, peermusic; Performed by Emily Ann Roberts

“Dream Come True” written by Tofer Brown, Lauren Hungate, Carly Pearce, Emily Weisband; Independently published by Concord Music Publishing, Altadena Music; Performed by Carly Pearce

“Mama I Lied” written by Rob Hatch, David Mescon, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams; Independently published by Eclipse Music Group, Major Bob Music; Performed by Megan Moroney

“Something To You” written by Johnny Clawson, McCoy Moore, Colton Venner, Will Weatherly; Independently published by SMACKSongs, Concord Music Publishing, Tape Room Publishing; Performed by McCoy Moore

“Sounds Like Something I’d Say” written by Kassi Ashton, Barry Dean, Jon Randall; Independently published by Creative Nation; Performed by Kassi Ashton and Parker McCollum

“TN” written by John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill, Taylor Phillips, Ryan Vojtesak, Morgan Wallen, Geoff Warburton; Independently published by SMACK Songs, Tape Room Music, Big Machine Music, Range Music; Performed by Morgan Wallen

Song Champion Of The Year Nominees

Michelle Attardi - Senior Creative Director, Big Machine Music

Emily Furman - VP of Creative, Creative Nation

Shannan Hatch - SVP, Head of Nashville Creative, SESAC

Lee Krabel - Senior Vice President of Publishing, SMACKSongs

Dave Pacula - Senior VP Creative, Liz Rose Music

Ciara Shortridge - VP, Country Publishing/A&R, Curb Word Entertainment

Top Independent Music Publishers Of The Year

Back Blocks Music

Big Loud Publishing

Big Machine Music

Concord Music Publishing

Reservoir Media

Tape Room Music

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