SESAC Celebrates Songwriters and Publishers at 2017 Nashville Music Awards

Justin Ebach Named Songwriter of the Year, “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” Named Song of the Year, Warner Chappell (W.B.M. Music Corp) Named Publisher of the Year

Nashville, Tenn. (Nov. 6, 2017) – SESAC Inc., the nation’s only music rights organization in the country, celebrated its songwriters and music publishers behind the year’s most-performed country and Americana songs at the company’s Nashville Music Awards held Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Sponsors for this year’s event include Bose® and Sound Royalties.

Justin Ebach, who has topped the charts with smash hit “Sleep Without You” performed by Brett Young, was named SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year. This was not only the debut single for Young, but also the first No. 1 country song for the songwriter.

It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To,” written by Cary Barlowe, published by Castle Bound Music and Spirit Nashville Three, and recorded by Billy Currington, was named SESAC Song of the Year.

Warner Chappell Music was honored as Publisher of the Year at the event.

This year, a SESAC Legacy Award was presented to music icon Kenny Rogers, who has made immeasurable contributions to the world of entertainment and paved the way for countless songwriters and artists.

The seven-time GRAMMY-winning trio Lady Antebellum was honored with the SESAC Humanitarian Award for their generous contributions and philanthropic efforts through LadyAID®.

In addition, SESAC was proud to recognize Michael Knox, vice president of peer music, for his notable accolades in recent years. Knox has produced more than 20 No. 1 hits that have resulted in more than 40 million singles and 18 million albums sold. He’s won multiple CMA and ACM awards, and produced some of country’s biggest acts, including Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Montgomery Gentry and Michael Tyler, just to name a few.

The awards ceremony kicked off with Old Crow Medicine Show performing a lively rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary album Blonde On Blonde. The evening also featured memorable ballad tributes to Kenny Rogers including “Twenty Years Ago,” performed by Lee Brice; “Lady,” performed by Craig Campbell; “The Gambler,” performed by Dustin Lynch; and “Don’t Fall In Love With A Dreamer,” performed by Kim Carnes and Andy Childs. Lastly, recording artist Billy Currington performed the SESAC Song of the Year “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To.” Guest presenters included Billy Currington, Linda Davis, Jim Lauderdale, Dustin Lynch, Jon Pardi, Luke Pell and Hillary Scott.

The festive 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. SESAC is the only PRO that awards songwriters and publishers in Americana music. More than 500 songwriters, publishers and industry professionals attended the awards dinner, sponsored by Bose® and Sound Royalties.

Country Awards:

“BABY, LET’S LAY DOWN AND DANCE”

written by:

Kim Williams, Victoria Shaw

published by:

All My Soul Music, Victoria Shaw Songs, Castle Bound Music

recorded by:

Garth Brooks

“FLATLINER”

written by:

Matthew Bronleewe, Jaron Boyer

published by:

Forest For The Trees Music, So Essential Tunes, Jaron Boyer Music, peertunes ltd

recorded by:

Cole Swindell

“HEARTACHE ON THE DANCE FLOOR”

written by:

Brice Long

published by:

BLongSongs, Wordspring Music, W.B.M. Music Corp.

recorded by:

Jon Pardi

“IT DON’T HURT LIKE IT USED TO”

written by:

Cary Barlowe

published by:

Castle Bound Music, Spirit Nashville Three

recorded by:

Billy Currington

“LIPSTICK”

written by:

Caroline Hobby, Naomi Cooke

published by:

Hyper Hobby Music, Thunder Cookie, Fabulicious Music, Hatchoooo Music Publishing, BMG / Legends of Magic Mustang Music, Music of Platinum Pen, W.B.M. Music Corp.

recorded by:

Runaway June

“MAKE YOU MINE”

written by:

Seth Mosley

published by:

CentricSongs, Capitol CMG Amplifier, Music Services Inc

recorded by:

High Valley

“SLEEP WITHOUT YOU”

written by:

Justin Ebach

published by:

Wordspring Music, W.B.M. Music Corp.

recorded by:

Brett Young

“MY OLD MAN”

written by:

Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti, Niko Moon

published by:

Day For The Dead Publishing, Simonetti Music Publishing, Siva Moon Publishing, W.B.M. Music Corp., Reach Music Tunes, Kobalt Group Publishing

recorded by:

Zac Brown Band

“OUTSKIRTS OF HEAVEN”

written by:

Craig Campbell

published by:

Skabetti Bowl of Songs Publishing, BMG/Legends of Magic Mustang Music, W.B.M. Music Corp.

recorded by:

Craig Campbell

“SEEIN’ RED”

written by:

Steve Bogard

published by:

Casa Del Amor Music, BMG/Legends of Magic Mustang Music, W.B.M. Music Corp.

recorded by:

Dustin Lynch

“THEY DON’T KNOW”

written by:

Jaron Boyer

published by:

Jaron Boyer Music, peertunes ltd

recorded by:

Jason Aldean

“WHAT IFS”

written by:

Matt McGinn

published by:

SMACKWORKS Music, Kobalt Group Publishing

recorded by:

Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina

Americana Awards:

50 Years of Blonde on Blonde

recorded by:

Old Crow Medicine Show

contributions by:

Bob Dylan

published by:

Special Rider Music

Black Irish

recorded by:

Shannon McNally

contributions by:

Beth Nielsen Chapman

published by:

Songs of Prismlight Music

Duende

recorded by:

The Band of Heathens

contributions by:

Ed Jurdi, Gordon Quist

published by:

Three Pisces Music, Victrolacaster Music

God’s Problem Child

recorded by:

Willie Nelson

contributions by:

Sam Hunter, Jamey Johnson

published by:

Isbee Music, Johala, Polishit, EMI Foray Music, Me Gusta Red Music, Critter City Music

London Southern

recorded by:

Jim Lauderdale

contributions by:

Jim Lauderdale

published by:

Ginger Dragon Music, BMG Cicada

Not Dark Yet

recorded by:

Shelby Lynne & Allison Moorer

contributions by:

Allison Moorer, Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain

published by:

PetyBug Tunes, Special Rider Music, The End of Music LLC, W.B.M. Music Corp., BMG Silver Songs

Shine On Rainy Day

recorded by:

Brent Cobb

contributions by:

Andrew Combs

published by:

Chunk of Coal Publishing, Tunes of R and T Direct

So You Wannabe An Outlaw

recorded by:

Steve Earle

contributions by:

Allison Moorer

published by:

PeteyBug Tunes, W.B.M. Music Corp.

Tell the Devil I’m Getting’ There As Fast As I Can

recorded by:

Ray Wylie Hubbard

contributions by:

Ray Wylie Hubbard

published by:

Snake Farm Publishing, BMG Cicada

This Changes Everything

recorded by:

Jim Lauderdale

contributions by:

Jim Lauderdale, Hayes Carll

published by:

Jim Lauderdale Music, Highway 87 Publishing, BMG Cicada

Waiting on a Song

recorded by:

Dan Auerbach

contributions by:

Bobby Wood

published by:

Janwood Music

About SESAC Holdings, Inc:

SESAC Holdings is the only U.S.-based Music Rights Organization that administers public performance, mechanical and other rights. SESAC Holdings is unique in its ability to offer singular licenses for the works of its affiliated writers and publishers that aggregate both performance and mechanical rights in order to drive greater efficiency in licensing for music users, as well as enhanced value for music creators and publishers. Its businesses operate on a sophisticated information technology and data platform to provide timely, efficient royalty collection and distribution.

SESAC Holdings’ subsidiaries are some of the most well-known companies in music licensing and administration. SESAC Performing Rights is the second oldest and most progressive performing rights organization in the U.S.  SESAC Holdings’ acquisition of the Harry Fox Agency (HFA) accelerated its transition to a “multi-rights” organization with HFA’s deep publisher relations and mechanical licensing history. Following the HFA acquisition, SESAC’s Rumblefish subsidiary was merged with HFA’s Slingshot business unit under the Rumblefish brand. Rumblefish simplifies business for digital services, publishers, labels, artists and apps. Rumblefish’s transparent composition and recording administration, data and royalty management, licensing and network monetization allow clients to focus on their core business. Rights. Simplified. Royalties. Amplified.

SESAC Holdings has offices in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Portland, San Francisco, London and Munich.

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