FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THIRD ANNUAL AIMP NASHVILLE AWARDS HIGHLIGHTS NASHVILLE'S BOOMING INDEPENDENT MUSIC PUBLISHING COMMUNITY 
 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Tuesday, May 8, 2018) — The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) hosted the AIMP Nashville Awards last night at the Ryman Auditorium. The third annual awards show, sponsored by the Academy of Country Music and Spotify, featured performances by Nashville’s hottest up-and-coming artists and honored the independent music publishing community’s accomplishments from the last year. 

“It’s so important to recognize and honor the art of crafting songs, and I’m extremely proud to be a part of an organization that takes such care in celebrating our independent publishing community,” said AIMP Nashville President John Ozier. “The Nashville chapter of the AIMP created this awards show three years ago, and it's been very rewarding to see it evolve each year. Last night was once again so special and I look forward to many more years to come.”

The 2018 AIMP Nashville Awards was an invitation-only event, open to Nashville’s independent music publishing community, filling the Ryman seats with 700 of Nashville’s most talented and creative independent writers, artists and music industry professionals. The show featured performances by nominees Kassi Ashton, Luke Combs, Jordan Davis, Devin Dawson, Hannah Ellis, Jillian Jacqueline, Ashley McBryde, Steve Moakler and Jameson Rodgers. Each nominee performed a nominated song that was originally recorded by another artist. 

The recognition of Jeff Carlton as the AIMP Nashville Independent Spirit was a highlight of the evening. A video honoring Carlton’s impact on the independent music publishing community shared remarks from songwriters, producers and publishers that he has collaborated with over the last 25 years. Although Carlton couldn’t be there to accept the award, his son Robert Carlton said a few words on his behalf. 

The AIMP Nashville Awards recognized winners in ten total categories, with a common focus on songwriting and publishing. The full list of nominees and winners can be found below; for more information visit aimpnashvilleawards.com. 

AIMP NASHVILLE RISING SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Michael Hardy

Matt McGinn

Mitch Rossell

Emily Shackelton

Josh Thompson (WINNER)

Jordan Walker
 

AIMP NASHVILLE RISING ARTIST-WRITER OF THE YEAR

Kassi Ashton

Hannah Ellis

Jillian Jacqueline

Ashley McBryde (WINNER)

Steve Moakler

Jameson Rodgers
 

AIMP NASHVILLE ARTIST-WRITER OF THE YEAR

Brothers Osborne

Luke Combs

Jordan Davis

Devin Dawson

Maren Morris

Old Dominion (WINNER)
 

AIMP NASHVILLE SONG CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Janine Appleton Ebach (WINNER)

Stephanie Cox

Leslie DiPiero

Shannan Hatch

Lee Krabel

Jeff Skaggs
 

AIMP NASHVILLE PUBLISHER’S PICK

“Craig” written Walker Hayes

SMACKSongs, Rarespark Media Group

“Dear Hate” written by Maren Morris, Tom Douglas, David Hodges

Big Yellow Dog Music, Kobalt Music (WINNER)

"Good Company” written by Matt Alderman, Tommy Cecil, Jared Mullins

Curb/Word Music Publishing, HoriPro Entertainment Group, Big Deal Music

“Happy People” written by Lori McKenna, Hailey Whitters

Creative Nation Music, Carnival Music, Pulse Music

“I Should Go To Church Sometime” written by Brinley Addington, Michael Hardy, Sarah Turner

HoriPro Entertainment Group, Watsky Music, True Bearing Entertainment

“Space Cowboy” written by Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally

Creative Nation Music, SMACKSongs
 

AIMP NASHVILLE SONG OF THE YEAR 

“All On Me” written by Devin Dawson, Jacob Durrett, Austin Smith

Neon Cross Music

“Drinkin' Problem” written by Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

Black River Publishing, SMACKSongs (WINNER)

“Heartache On The Dance Floor” written by Jon Pardi, Bart Butler, Brice Long

Song Factory, Curb/Word Music Publishing

“I Could Use A Love Song” written by Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz

Big Yellow Dog Music, Round Hill Music, Big Machine Music

“I'll Name The Dogs” written by Matt Dragstrem, Ben Hayslip, Josh Thompson

Big Loud Publishing, Round Hill Music, THiS Music, Big Machine Music

"Marry Me” written by Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally

Major Bob Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Combustion Music, Round Hill Music, SMACKSongs

“Yours” written by Russell Dickerson, Casey Brown, Parker Welling

3 Ring Circus Music
 

AIMP NASHVILLE SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR 

Jesse Frasure

Ashley Gorley

Ben Hayslip

Hillary Lindsey

Shane McAnally (WINNER)

Josh Osborne
 

AIMP NASHVILLE PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR

Big Loud Publishing

Big Machine Music

Combustion Music

Rezonant Music

Round Hill Music

SMACKSongs (WINNER)
 

AIMP NASHVILLE INDEPENDENT SPIRIT

Jeff Carlton (WINNER)
 

SPOTIFY COUNTRY TOP SPOT

"Body Like a Back Road" written by Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Independently published by Combustion Music, Tape Room Music, SMACKSongs (WINNER)

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Media Contact

Olivia Hanceri

olivia@smacksongs.com

(251)554-7195