AIMP
The Association of Independent Music Publishers celebrated the work, successes and creativity of Nashville’s independent music publishers and songwriters on Tuesday evening (April 8) during the AIMP Nashville Country Awards held at Marathon Music Works. The evening awarded winners in eight categories.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Hosted by media personality Storme Warren, the event saw many of Nashville’s songwriting and publishing elites gather to fete top songs, songwriters, artists and publishers. Rising artist-writer of the year and artist of the year nominees and winners, both past and present, paid homage to various tunes that have previously won the song of the year category.
2025 AIMP Nashville Awards
Kayla Schoen
HARDY performed the Little Big Town-recorded “Girl Crush,” Jordan Davis sang Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” Hailey Whitters offered a rendition of Midland’s “Drinkin’ Problem” and Carly Pearce performed Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow.” Lee Brice performed the Maren Morris hit “The Bones,” while Jackson Dean performed Brice’s “One of Them Girls.” Old Dominion sang Morgan Wallen’s “Sand in My Boots,” while Ashley McBryde sang Chris Stapleton’s “You Should Probably Leave.” Hannah Ellis and Nick Wayne teamed up to perform Davis’s hit “Next Thing You Know.”
Trending on Billboard
The evening also included a tender video tribute to the late Warner Chappell Music Nashville president/CEO Ben Vaughn, who passed away in January.
Wrensong Entertainment’s Ree Guyer said in a statement, “What a magical night celebrating the Nashville independent community of writers and publishers. There was an undeniable sense of community in the room. Thank you to my amazing awards committee, who worked incredibly hard to bring this night to life.”
2025 AIMP Nashville Awards
Kayla Schoen
See the list of this year’s winners and nominees below:
Rising songwriter of the year:
*7 nominees (because of a tie)Abram Dean – Independently published by Concord Music PublishingWINNER: Jon Decious – Independently published by OneRiot, ReservoirLalo Guzman – Independently published by SMACKSongsWyatt McCubbin – Independently published by 50 Egg Music, Tape Room MusicSteve Moakler – Independently published by Creative NationDaniel Ross – Independently published by Big Machine MusicChandler Walters – Independently published by Ern’s Cadillac Music, Big Loud Publishing
Rising artist writer of the year:
George Birge – Independently published by Big Machine MusicLaci Kaye Booth – Independently published by Big Machine MusicDylan Marlowe – Independently published by Play It Again Music, Relative Music GroupVincent Mason – Independently published by Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music PublishingWINNER: Zach Top – Independently published by Major Bob MusicTucker Wetmore – Independently published by Back Blocks Music
Artist-writer of the year:
Ashley Cooke – Independently published by Back Blocks Music, Big Loud PublishingWINNER: Jordan Davis – Independently published by Anthem EntertainmentJackson Dean – Independently published by Little Louder MusicERNEST – Independently published by Big Loud PublishingHARDY – Independently published by Relative Music GroupCarly Pearce – Independently published by Altadena Music
Song champion of the year:
WINNER: Courtney Allen – Sr. Director, A&R, Concord Music PublishingGreg Gallo – VP, Creative, ReservoirShannan Hatch – SVP, Creative, SESACMaryAnn Keen – Director, Creative, BMI NashvilleSara Knabe – SVP, A&R, Big Loud MusicMelissa Spillman – VP, A&R, Concord Music Publishing
Publisher pick of the year:“Casseroles” written by Hillary Lindsey, Tom Douglas, and James Slater; Independently published by Concord Music PublishingPerformed by Hailey WhittersWINNER: “Hell Is A Dance Floor” written by Vincent Mason and Chase McDaniel; Independently published by Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing Performed by Vincent Mason“Killed A Man” written by Joe Fox, Geoff Warburton, and Jimi Bell; Independently published by Liz Rose Music, Big Machine Music, Range Music Publishing, Worktape Music Performed by Post Malone“Made In The USA” written by Ben Stennis, Emily Falvey, and Adam James; Independently published by SMACKSongs, Kobalt Music Publishing, Young Guns Publishing Performed by Cody Johnson“Midwest Rock & Roll” written by Ryan Hurd, Mark Holman, and Randy Montana; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Big Loud Publishing Performed by Ryan Hurd“The Loneliest Girl In The World” written by Laci Kaye Booth, Jon Stark, and Aby Gutierrez; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Dream3 Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Performed by Laci Kaye Booth
Song of the year:
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” written by Mark Allen Williams, Joe Kent, Sean Cook, Collins Obinna Chibueze, Nevin Sastry, and Jerell Jones; Independently published by Kobalt Music, Seeker Music, Range Music PublishingPerformed by Shaboozey“Burn It Down” written by Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, and Parker McCollum; Independently published by Concord Music Publishing, Liz Rose Music, Creative NationPerformed by Parker McCollum“I Had Some Help” written by Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Walters, Ashley Gorley, Morgan Wallen, Austin Post, Hoskins, Louis Bell, Ryan Vojtesak; Independently published by Big Loud Publishing, Ern’s Cadillac Music, Domain Capitol Group Performed by Post Malone & Morgan Wallen“Lies Lies Lies” written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Daniel Ross, Chris Tompkins, Josh Miller; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Concord Music Publishing, Boom Music GroupPerformed by Morgan WallenWINNER: “The Painter” written by Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, and Ryan Larkins; Independently published by Big Machine MusicPerformed by Cody Johnson“Wind Up Missin’ You” written by Tucker Wetmore, Chris LaCorte, and Thomas Archer; Independently published by BackBlocks Music, Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing, Combustion MusicPerformed by Tucker Wetmore
Songwriter of the year:
Rocky Block – Independently published by Big Loud PublishingWINNER: Jessie Jo Dillon – Independently published by Big Machine MusicAshley Gorley – Independently published by Domain Capitol GroupHunter Phelps – Independently published by Tape Room MusicTaylor Phillips – Independently published by Tape Room MusicJonathan Singleton – Independently published by 50 Egg Music
Top independent music publisher of the year:
Big Loud PublishingWINNER: Big Machine MusicConcord Music PublishingPurple Rabbit Music
On Tuesday (June 11), the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) held its annual global music publishing summit at 3 West in New York. Boasting panels on a wide-ranging list of publishing hot topics, from fraud to film/TV synchronization, the one-day event featured executives from ABKCO, Rimas Publishing, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell, CD Baby, Pex and more.
One highlight of the day included the panel Opportunities Abroad: Maximizing Overseas Collection featuring Michael Simon (Harry Fox Agency), Alexander Wolf (SESAC International), David Alexander (MusicIndustry.Africa), Mark Chung (Freibank Music Publishing, IMPF) and Tomas Ericsson (AMRA).
During the panel, the experts, who hail from around the world, discussed the increasingly globalized music market, which regions hold the most value and how to maximize that value. “It can’t be like it was in the 90s,” said Simon. “Back then the answer was to sit back and wait for checks to arrive in your mailbox — that world seems to be disappearing.”
Trending on Billboard
Some experts stressed the importance of leaning on sub-publishers with local knowledge to ensure proper collections. Ericsson, whose company AMRA collects digital royalties on a worldwide basis, explained that using AMRA can also be a solution to pain points in collection worldwide because “the majority of societies do not have the capital incentives to invest in better technology and therefore use whatever means they have to process this money to others.”
“My bet is on Asia,” said Wolf of the region with the most untapped potential for publishers. “They’re knowledgeable, and they’re making money… Africa as a continent is more troubled. Countries like Nigeria are especially great countries, great musicians but in the last thirty years, Nigeria had seven different collection societies. There is value there, but we need patience.”
The AIMP event coincided with what’s known as New York Music Month (NYMM) — a collection of events across the five boroughs to support the city’s local music scene. Though the festivities continue throughout the entire month, the bulk of NYMM events happen the week of June 10-15. In the publishing business, the annual gathering is fondly known as “Publishers’ Week” or “Songwriters’ Week” in reference to events like AIMP, the National Music Publishers’ Association’s annual meeting and the Songwriters Hall of Fame — all of which take place in the same five-day period. Others also call it “Indie Week,” a reference to the Association of American Independent Music’s five-day conference of the same name.
Many of Nashville’s top songwriters and music publishers were feted Monday evening (April 1) during the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP)’s Nashville Country Awards, held at the Ryman Auditorium. The Spotify-sponsored event, which was hosted by Storme Warren, drew a throng of songwriters and industry execs from Nashville’s independent country songwriter and publisher community.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Jordan Davis, who is independently published by Anthem Entertainment, was named artist-writer of the year, while his song “Next Thing You Know,” which he co-wrote with Josh Osborne, Chase McGill and Greylan James, was named song of the year; the song was independently published by Anthem Entertainment.
“This is amazing,” Davis told the crowd in taking the stage to accept his artist-writer of the year honor, adding, “I moved [to Nashville] in 2012 and dreamed of getting in the room to write songs with some of the people that are sitting right here in these front rows and never in a million years would have dreamed that I would have found the community and the family that I have here in Nashville. I’m blessed to get to say I do this for a living.”
Trending on Billboard
Big Loud Publishing took home publisher of the year honors, while Morgan Wallen, who is independently published by Big Loud Publishing, was named songwriter of the year. Wallen’s “98 Braves,” written by Travis Wood, John Byron and Josh Miller was named publisher pick of the year; the song was independently published by Creative Nation Music, Big Loud Publishing, and Concord Music Publishing.
Wallen’s “Last Night,” written by Wallen, John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome and JKash, was named AIMP most streamed country song of the year; the song was independently published by Big Loud Publishing and Prescription Songs.
The rising songwriter of the year award went to Rocky Block (who is independently published by Big Loud Publishing), who has co-written songs including Cody Johnson’s “Whiskey Bent,” and Wallen’s “Man Made a Bar” and “Cowgirls.”
“I’ve been to so many of these and dreamt of this,” Block said. “I’ve been independently published my whole career,” Block said, thanking Bob DiPiero for being an early champion and also thanking Big Loud. “I’m thankful to work with everyone of you in this room.”
Meanwhile, Mae Estes, who is independently published by Plaid Flag Music and Kobalt Music Publishing, was named rising artist-writer of the year. Estes is known for songs including “Hell You Raised” and “Roses.”
“I worked three jobs at a time in this town for almost six years and finally got a publishing deal to write songs in Music City and y’all changed my whole life,” Estes told the audience shortly before hit yet another milestone that same evening, performing for the first time on the Ryman Auditorium stage.
“The awards are always a magical night with Artist nominees performing Song of the Year-nominated songs,” says Ree Guyer, owner of Wrensong Entertainment, in a statement. “It is always fun seeing our indie publishers come together to celebrate one another in a laid-back, intimate setting.”
As is tradition for the AIMP Nashville Awards, past and present rising artist-writer of the year and artist-writer of the year nominees were on hand to perform. Each song of the year and publisher picks category nominated songs were performed by someone other than the original artist or writer. This year’s performers included Davis, Dylan Scott, Russell Dickerson, Estes, George Birge, Dylan Marlowe and HARDY.
Big Machine Music’s vice president of publishing Tim Hunze was named the 2024 AIMP song champion award honoree, recognizing his contributions to the independent publishing and songwriting community. Hunze offered up advice he received from songwriter Tom Shapiro, saying, “‘If you take care of the creatives and the writers, you’ll always have a job.’ That is the best part of what I get to do, working with the creatives.” He also nodded to earning the song champion award, saying, “Being a song champion is just being passionate and finding something you love. I’ve been doing the same thing since I was a kid; I found a band I liked and I told all my friends and all my buddies.”
The Association for Independent Music Publishers celebrated the 2023 AIMP Nashville Country Awards on Wednesday at Music City’s Ryman Auditorium. Songwriting luminaries Bob DiPiero and Craig Wiseman hosted the Spotify-sponsored event, which honored Nashville’s independent songwriters and music publishers.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“It is great to gather the independent publishing community once again at the Ryman,” Ree Guyer, President, AIMP Nashville Chapter, said via a statement. “We are fortunate to feel the love and support for one another in the room.”
The coveted song of the year honor went to Chris Stapleton’s “You Should Probably Leave,” written by Stapleton, Ashley Gorley and Chris DuBois. Round Hill Music was named publisher of the year, while Michael Hardy (HARDY) was a double winner, picking up artist-writer of the year and songwriter of the year.
Meanwhile, the rising songwriter of the year honor went to SMACKSongs’ Ryan Beaver and the rising artist-writer of the year honor went to Big Loud Publishing’s ERNEST.
The most-streamed song of the year honor went to “Wasted on You” (writers: Morgan Wallen, Ernest Keith Smith, Josh Thompson, Charlie Handsome), while the 2023 publisher pick of the year was a tie between “Don’t Think Jesus” (writers: Mark Holman, Jessi Alexander, Chase McGill) and “Reverse Cowgirl” (writers: Jared Scott, Joe Fox, Zak Dyer).
Warner Music Nashville co-chair/co-president Cris Lacy was honored with the 2023 song champion award, while Jody Williams, of Jody Williams’ Songs, was honored with the 2023 AIMP independent spirit award, which recognizes his significant contributions to the independent publishing and songwriting community.
“Nashville’s independent publishers are usually the first to take a chance on fresh, groundbreaking talent,” Williams said via a statement. “I’m proud to be a part of this effort and thrilled to be honored by my AIMP peers.”
This year’s performers included Jon Pardi, Tenille Arts, Corey Kent, Pillbox Patti, Meg McRee, Ashley Cooke, Jackson Dean, HARDY, Ruston Kelly, Jordan Davis, and ERNEST.
-
Pages