SESAC Music Awards
Megan Moroney, Jaron Boyer and Warren Zeiders‘ “Pretty Little Poison” were among the evening’s big winners at SESAC Performing Rights’s annual Nashville Music Awards on Sunday night (Nov. 17), as the country music industry’s annual CMA Week got underway with the first of a trio of parties held by performing rights organizations to honor the songwriters and music publishers many of the year’s most performed country songs.
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More than 400 members Nashville’s elite songwriters, publishers and other industry members gathered at the Country Music Hall of Fame Sunday night to honor the SESAC writers behind not only top country songs, but top Americana tunes such as Sierra Ferrell’s “American Dreaming” and The Avett Brothers’ “Orion’s Belt” during the glitzy shindig.
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SESAC Sr. VP/Head of Nashville Creative Shannan Hatch hosted the evening alongside senior directors, creative services ET Brown and Lydia Cahill. The event was sponsored in part by Hatef Aesthetics, Bombas, Brumate, CRVFT, Cymbiotika, Dr. Bronner’s, Eboost, Herban Essentials, Little Secrets, Monopoly, Olaplex, Osea, Pause, and Solawave.
Early in the evening, Megan Moroney performed the title track to her sophomore album, Am I Okay?, before later being honored with the SESAC spotlight award, honoring not only her work on resonant songs such as “I’m Not Pretty” and “Indifferent,” but her myriad accomplishments over the past year, including the release of her album and her three CMA Awards nominations heading into Wednesday evening’s CMA Awards (among them a nomination for female vocalist of the year).
“There’s nothing more fulfilling than writing songs. Thank you SESAC for taking care of the songwriters,” Moroney said in accepting the honor.
Boyer was named SESAC’s songwriter of the year, for his work writing hits including Jason Aldean’s “Let Your Boys Be Country,” and George Birge’s “Mind on You.” He was feted with a Gibson custom guitar as well as a custom ring from Jostens.
“Thank you, Jesus .. .without him none of us would be here,” Boyer said. “I almost retired from songwriting a couple of years ago. I had some good friends that … reeled me in to keep writing songs and here we go. I don’t know what else to say … thank you.”
SESAC’s song of the year went to Warren Zeiders’s “Pretty Little Poison,” co-written by Jared Keim. Zeiders joined with co-writers Keim and Ryan Beaver to offer a compelling performance of the song.
SESAC’s country publisher of the year honor went to Warner Chappell Music, after the publisher picked up several accolades throughout the evening.
See a full list of the evening’s honored songs below:
“Pretty Little Poison”Written by Jared KeimPublished by Warner Chappell Music, Twelve6 SequoiaRecorded by Warren Zeiders
“We Don’t Fight Anymore”Written by Pete GoodPublished by Warner Chappell Music, King Pen Songs, SMACKWORKS MusicRecorded by Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton
“Mind on You” Written by Jaron Boyer, Michael TylerPublished by Marlowe Sinclaire Songs, MTNoize, peertunes LTD, Melodies of CTM Outlander Recorded by George Birge
“Tucson Too Late”Written by Josh JenkinsPublished by Follow Me Where I Go, SMACKWORKS MusicRecorded by Jordan Davis
“Let Your Boys Be Country”Written by Allison Veltz Cruz, Jaron BoyerPublished by Allison Veltz Sensations, Marlowe Sinclaire Songs, Hipgnosis Tunes, peertunes LTD, Songs of Porterfied Music Recorded by Jason Aldean
“Love You Again”Written by Casey Brown Published by Track & Feels, Warner Chappell Music, Tape Room Tunes Recorded by Chase Matthew
“Creek Will Rise” Written by Chris LaCorte Published by Card Tables Music, Concord Tunes, Hang Your Hat Hits Recorded by Conner Smith
“I’m Not Pretty”Written by Megan Moroney Published by Georgiamo, Sony Music PublishingRecorded by Megan Moroney
“Indifferent”Written by Megan Moroney Published by Georgiamo, Sony Music PublishingRecorded by Megan Moroney
“Can’t Have Mine”Written by Matt AldermanPublished by Aldysongs, Curb Congregation Songs Recorded by Dylan Scott
“Glory Days”Written by Seth MosleyPublished by M & M College Fund, Sony Music Publishing Recorded by Gabby Barrett
“Wine Into Whiskey”Written by Justin EbachPublished El Chapo MusicRecorded by Tucker Wetmore
“Heartless Year”Written by Ed Jurdi, Gordy QuistPublished by Three Pisces Music, Vitrolacaster MusicRecorded by The Band of Heathens
“Fox Hunt”Written by Sierra FerrellPublished by Abel Elba, Pulse WorldwideRecorded by Sierra Ferrell
“Good Together”Written by Rachael PricePublished Warner Chappell Music, 17 Lake Street Music Recorded by Lake Street Dive
“Love of a Girl”Written by Seth Avett, Scott Avett, Bob CrawfordPublished by First Big Snow Publishing, NemoIVMusic, Truth Comes True Publishing, Ramseur Family Fold MusicRecorded by The Avett Brothers
“American Dreaming”Written by Sierra FerrellPublished by Abel Elba, Pulse WorldwideRecorded by Sierra Ferrell
“Orion’s Belt”Written by Seth Avett, Scott Avett, Bob CrawfordPublished by First Big Snow Publishing, NemoIVMusic, Truth Comes True Publishing, Ramseur Family Fold MusicRecorded by The Avett Brothers
Jack Harlow won songwriter of the year and also song of the year at the 2024 SESAC Music Awards, which were held at The Highlight Room in Hollywood on Tuesday (Sept. 17). He took song of the year with his smash hit “Lovin on Me,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks in 2023-24.
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Remarkably, this is the fourth year in a row that Harlow has won both awards. His previous song of the year winners were “Whats Poppin” in 2021, “Industry Baby” in 2022 (which won in a tie with “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals) and “First Class” in 2023. “Whats Poppin,” Harlow’s first top 10 hit on the Hot 100, featured DaBaby, Tory Lanez and Lil Wayne. “Industry Baby,” his first No. 1, was a collab with Lil Nas X.
Harlow, 26, wasn’t at the event in person but sent a video in which he said, in part, “Thank you for those awards. Much love to SESAC. I wish I could be there. I’ve been at SESAC since I was a teenager and we’re obviously the best in the world. So, thank you for the love and much love.”
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Sony Music Publishing was named publisher of the year for the third year in a row, taking home multiple awards including “3D” recorded by Harlow and Jung Kook, as well as “Good Good” recorded by Usher, Summer Walker and 21 Savage.
Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) co-founder, president and CEO, was presented with SESAC’s Visionary Award in recognition of his organization’s ongoing work creating equity in the music industry. “Prophet’s dedication to equality and racial justice has inspired us all to do more and build a stronger, more equitable creative community,” said Mario Prins, vp of creative services. “I’m proud to call him a friend.”
SESAC’s Sam Kling, Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, SESAC’s Mario Prins
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Additional award-winning writers include Jimmy Napes, Ariana Grande, Green Day, Fede Vindver, and longtime SESAC songwriter Traci Hale for her co-write with SESAC writer and performer Burna Boy.
This marked the third year the awards were held in Los Angeles. The event was attended by top music industry executives, artists, songwriters, and publishers including Prophet, Bryan Michael Cox, Alex Isley, Knox and Kenyon Dixon.
Artist and SESAC songwriter Tamara Jade served as MC for the evening for the second year in a row. Opening the show were Scott Jungmichel, SESAC president & COO, and Sam Kling, chief creative officer, as well as Mario Prins, VP, creative services, and Diana Akin Scarfo, VP, creative services & operations.
For event highlights, visit @SESAC on Instagram. A full list of winners is available at sesac.com.
On June 26, SESAC Latina will mark its 30th anniversary of representing top-tier songwriters globally with its annual SESAC Latina Music Awards Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, Billboard Español can exclusively announce.
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The event will recognize the exceptional talent and achievements of its affiliated songwriters and publishers, awarding honors such as song of the year, publisher of the year, and more.
Additionally, the SESAC Legacy Award will be presented to Latin Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Luciano Luna, celebrating his illustrious career and significant contribution to Latin music. “I am very grateful for this distinction; it motivates me to continue dedicating myself to writing stories with my songs and being a good example for new generations of songwriters,” Luna said in a press release.
The Sinaloa creator has recorded over 250 productions, mostly in the regional Mexican music genre, with iconic acts such as Julión Álvarez, Gerardo Ortiz, Banda Los Recoditos, Banda MS, Régulo Caro and more. As a co-author, his collaborations include Joss Favela, Edén Muñoz, and others.
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“We’re thrilled to celebrate the magnificent and vibrant talent within the Latin songwriting community,” remarked SESAC’s CCO, Sam Kling. “The SESAC Latina Music Awards always showcase exceptional songs and songwriters, making it an unforgettable evening.”
Celeste Zendejas, senior vp of SESAC Latina, added, “SESAC Latina’s 30th anniversary is a celebration of continued growth, endless creativity, and the global success of the exceptional talent behind the music. On this milestone year, we honor all our incredible songwriters who continue to inspire us with their profound lyrics and soulful melodies,”
She continued, “We are thrilled to present the Legacy Award to one of the most distinguished songwriters of our generation, Luciano Luna, who has sustained a remarkable career throughout the years.”
The award ceremony is sponsored by City National Bank and Rossi, P.C.
One of the Nashville music industry’s most festive, star-studded weeks got underway on Sunday evening (Nov. 5) in the walkup to Wednesday’s CMA Awards, with SESAC’s Nashville Music Awards celebrating the writers and music publishers behind many of the year’s most-performed country and Americana songs.
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Following a cocktail hour where more than 400 of Nashville music industry denizens schmoozed, Megan Moroney started the ceremony by performing an acoustic, husky-voiced rendition of one of the celebrated songs of the evening, “Tennessee Orange.” The ballad, which Moroney co-wrote, is nominated for song of the year during the CMA Awards (Moroney is also up for new artist of the year).
SESAC executives including chairman/CEO John Josephson, president/COO Scott Jungmichel, chief creative officer Sam Kling, senior VP/head of Nashville creative Shannan Hatch, and Lydia Schultz Cahill and ET Brown (senior directors, creative services), guided the evening’s festivities and led the charge in honoring the writers’ and publishers’ accomplishments.
“We have a hugely talented group of creators here tonight,” Jungmichel said. “Supporting you continues to be our focus.”
“What an amazing year it has been for country and Americana songwriters,” said Hatch, noting songwriter Rafe Van Hoy’s recent induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame earlier this year. “Also, more Nashville writers were honored than ever during the SESAC [all-genre] Awards earlier this year.”
SESAC writers Josh Hoge and Christian Stalnecker contributed to writing “Thank God,” recorded by Kane Brown and his wife Katelyn Brown. The song became a No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay chart hit and on Sunday evening, was named SESAC’s song of the year during the Nashville Music Awards. The gratitude-filled ballad is also up for musical event of the year at Wednesday’s CMA Awards. Brown was on hand to help present Hoge and Stalnecker with the honor.
Sony Music Publishing was named publisher of the year, after earning seven awards throughout the evening, for the company’s role in publishing sterling country radio hits including “Thank God,” “Tennessee Orange,” “Dancin’ in the Country,” “You Didn’t,” and “Pick Me Up.”
The SESAC Heritage Award celebrated the legacy of “I’ll Fly Away” songwriter Albert E. Brumley and recognized SESAC’s 80-year partnership with the song and Brumley. Betsy Brumley accepted the heritage award on his behalf. Jamey Johnson was also on hand to perform a gorgeous acoustic version of the song.
Other SESAC-affiliated songwriters honored throughout the evening included Margo Price, Jeremy Ivey, Justin Ebach, Casey Brown, Dillon Carmichael (who earned his first industry award that evening and took the stage to perform a rendition of his song “Son of a A”) and Kelsey Waldon.
The evening concluded with the coveted songwriter of the year trophy, which went to Jon Nite, in recognition of his work in composing songs including “Dancin’ in the Country” (recorded by Tyler Hubbard), “You Didn’t” (Brett Young), and “Pick Me Up” (Gabby Barrett). Video tributes for Nite came from Keith Urban, Tyler Hubbard, Gabby Barrett, songwriter-producer Ross Copperman, Sony Music Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg, as well as tributes from Nite’s family.
“I don’t deserve this; this is unbelievable,” Nite said after taking the stage, first thanking his family and his Sony Music Publishing champions.
Nite recalled moving to Nashville over two decades ago, with $500 to his name. He offered advice to any aspiring songwriters: “Keep writing the songs that are part of your life—those are the only ones that work.” He noted the intense work ethic and long-term vision required for forging success within the industry, saying, “I wrote 1,000 songs before I got one cut.” He ended on a note of gratitude, and a bit of incredulousness, for being able to live out his dreams, saying, “It’s unbelievable that SESAC pays us to do what we do…what we love.”
See a full listing of the year’s SESAC Nashville Music Awards honorees below:
“Thank God”
Written by: Josh Hoge, Christian Stalnecker
Published by: Blunts and Bonfires Music, Feels Like Friday, Sony Music Publishing, Chorus 2 Music, RMM 416 Publishing
Recorded by: Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown
“DANCIN’ IN THE COUNTRY”
Written by: Jon Nite
Published by: Cuts Like A Nite Music, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Tyler Hubbard
“TENNESEE ORANGE”
Written by: Megan Moroney
Published by: Georgiamo, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Megan Moroney
“YOUR HEART OR MINE”
Written by: Justin Ebach
Published by: Phat Racoon, Universal Tunes
Recorded by: Jon Pardi
“YOU DIDN’T”
Written by: Jon Nite
Published by: Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Brett Young
“PICK ME UP”
Written by: Jon Nite
Published by: Cuts Like A Nite Music, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Gabby Barrett
“GIRL IN MINE”
Written by: Casey Brown
Published by: Track & Feels, Warner Chappell Music, Tape Room Tunes
Recorded by: Parmalee
“WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE”
Written by: Chris LaCorte
Published by: Card Tables Music, Hang Your Hat Hits, Concord Tunes
Recorded by: Sam Hunt
“BURY ME IN GEORGIA”
Written by: Josh Hoge
Published by: Blunts and Bonfires Music, Chorus 2 Music, Sony Music Nashville
Recorded by: Kane Brown
“OUT IN THE MIDDLE”
Written by: Ben Simonetti, Zac Brown
Published by: Simonetti Music Publishing, Day For The Dead Publishing
Recorded by: Zac Brown Band
“Y’ALL LIFE”
Written by: Josh Jenkins, Pete Good
Published by: Follow Me Where I Go, SMACKWORKS Music
Recorded by: Walker Hayes
“SON OF A”
Written by: Dillon Carmichael
Published by: Riser House Tunes, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Dillon Carmichael
“PARTY MODE”
Written by: Jared Keim
Published by: Twelve6 Sequoia, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: Dustin Lynch
“CHANGE OF HEART”
Written by: Margo Price, Jeremy Ivey
Published by: Peach Pit, Fisheye, RMM 416 Publishing, Good Songs We Love
Recorded by: Margo Price
“THAT KIND OF LIFE (THAT KIND OF DAY)”
Written by: Jim Lauderdale
Published by: Wudang Mountain Songs, Critter City Music
Recorded by: Jim Lauderdale
“TALL AND MIGHTY”
Written by: Kelsey Waldon
Published by: MyKaintuck Publishing, Do Write Music
Recorded by: Kelsey Waldon
“DON’T LET THE DARKNESS”
Written by: Ed Jurdi
Published by: Three Pisces Music
Recorded by: The Band of Heathens
“ALL I REALLY WANNA DO”
Written by: Henry Brill
Published by: Kobalt Group Publishing
Recorded by: Devon Gilfillian
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