NASHVILLE – On the strength of his smash hit single, “Anything But Mine,” recorded by Kenny Chesney, Scooter Carusoe was named SESAC’s Country Songwriter of the Year during ceremonies held October 19th at the company’s Music Row headquarters. “Mississippi Girl,” written by Adam Shoenfeld, was named SESAC’s Country Song of the Year. Carnival Music, publisher of “Anything But Mine,” was named SESAC’s Country Publisher of the Year. Frank Liddell of Carnival Music was on hand to accept Country Publisher of the Year honors.

Among the evening’s highlights were live performances by Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Adam Shoenfeld. The awarding of a one-of-a-kind handcrafted Gibson acoustic guitar to Songwriter of the Year Carusoe marked the beginning of a unique association between SESAC and the Nashville-based instrument manufacturer. Also courtesy of Gibson, SESAC will showcase three Gibson Signature Series guitars dedicated to three SESAC-affiliated musical icons – Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond and blues great Robert Johnson. Each of these beautiful instruments will be on display, alternating between SESAC’s offices in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville.

SESAC was the first performing rights organization to give awards in the burgeoning Americana format. Continuing in that tradition, SESAC honored several top Americana artists and songwriters with SESAC Performance Activity Awards.

In addition to Songwriter, Publisher and Song of the Year Awards for the country genre, several country singles received performance activity awards.