2016 SESAC Nashville Awards Highlights

SESAC kicked off CMA Week by honoring the songwriters and music publishers behind the year’s most-performed Country and Americana songs at the organization’s Nashville Music Awards held Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.

Josh Hoge, who topped the charts with smash hits such as “I’m Comin’ Over” by Chris Young, “Think of You” by Chris Young and Cassadee Pope, along with singles from social media sensation Kane Brown, was named SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year.

“Somewhere On A Beach,” written by Jaron Boyer and Michael Tyler, published by Jaron Boyer Music and peertunes ltd., and recorded by Dierks Bentley was named SESAC Song of the Year.

Sony ATV / EMI Foray Publishing and Write 2 Be Free Music was honored as Publisher of the Year at the event.

The awards dinner featured an evening of memorable musical performances, including Chris Young’s acoustic version of “I’m Comin’ Over,” Margo Price’s unforgettable “Desperate and Depressed” and performances by two of the hottest newcomers, Michael Tyler and Runaway June. Guest presenters included Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Jim Lauderdale, Dustin Lynch, Cassadee Pope and Chris Young.

The festive black-tie 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.