Ella Langley, Riley Green, Vince Gill Among Top Honorees at Nashville Songwriters Awards
Categoria: Musica
Other honorees included Blake Pendergrass, songwriter and music exec Paul Williams and the late songwriting legend Don Schlitz.
Por Billboard | 23/09/2026
The creative community that fuels many of Music City’s top biggest hits came out in force Tuesday night (Sept. 22) at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, as the ninth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards feted the songwriters who penned some of fans’ favorite songs of the year. “Choosin’ Texas,” written by Ella Langley , Miranda Lambert , Joybeth Taylor and Luke Dick, was named song of the year. During the evening, Langley surprised the crowd by taking the stage to join HARDY, Jordan Schmidt and Smith Ahnquist to perform her song “Be Her,” and later performed “Choosin’ Texas” alongside Taylor and Dick. “I think it really is a testament to believing in your people,” Langley told the crowd. “As an artist, early on, you find your people that you write well with, not only that you write well with, but that believe you and your story… I’m just so grateful for songwriters that are able to help tell my story, and thank you so much for being there and writing this song with me.” Riley Green and Hannah McFarland perform onstage at the 9th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 22, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin / Courtesy Getty Images Getty Images Riley Green , who just released his new album That’s Just Me , was named songwriter-artist of the year. “I’m really honored to be here tonight with all you great songwriters and publishers and everyone involved in country music,” Green told the crowd. “My favorite part of country music is definitely the songwriting. I think I’ve always considered myself a songwriter first, and if I can be successful in any part of this business, which I’ve come to realize there’s a lot of parts to it, it would be writing songs. “My granddaddy Buford was a witty guy,” he continued. “He wrote poems and always was really quick and had a comeback for everything and I think he would’ve been a great songwriter had he been alive when I started that journey in my life. I’m so honored to be here and accept an honor of any kind of recognition in that world, that means so much to me. I’ve been really fortunate enough over the last few years to have some major tours, some CMA Awards and ACM Awards… accolades I never thought I would achieve, but I truly appreciate this as much as anything. It means a lot.” Green was also joined by Hannah McFarland to perform “Don’t Mind If I Do,” which was honored as one of NSAI’s “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written.” Blake Pendergrass was honored as songwriter of the year, for his work on songs including the Morgan Wallen-recorded “20 Cigarettes” and “Just in Case,” which were both honored during the evening as part of the “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” segment. Blake Pendergrass speaks onstage at th