Photo credit: Katie Kauss
Michael Tyler Named Songwriter of the Year
“Am I Okay?” Named Song of the Year
Warner Chappell Music Named Publisher of the Year
(Nashville, Tenn. – Nov. 17, 2025) – To kick off CMA Awards week in Nashville, SESAC Performing Rights began the celebrations, honoring songwriters and music publishers behind the year’s most-performed country and Americana songs at the company’s annual Nashville Music Awards held at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.
Michael Tyler was named SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year with his hits including “Cowboy Songs,” recorded by George Birge, “Holy Smokes,” recorded by Bailey Zimmerman, and “This Heart,” recorded by Corey Kent. To honor this achievement, Gibson created a custom guitar, and Jostens provided a one-of-a-kind ring. SESAC’s Song of the Year was awarded to the number one hit “Am I Okay?” written, published, and performed by superstar Megan Moroney. Co-writer Jessie Jo Dillon was in attendance to surprise Megan with the award. Warner Chappell Music took home the title of Publisher of the Year for the second consecutive year after winning multiple awards throughout the night.
Guests were treated to a variety of surprises and special performances throughout the evening. Kelsea Ballerini was on hand to present her longtime co-writer and producer Alysa Vanderheym with her award for the song “Baggage” – the two most recently collaborated on Kelsea’s new EP, Mount Pleasant. Stephen Wilson Jr. opened the show with a moving performance of his brand-new single, “Gary,” fresh off the announcement of his Gary The Torch tour kicking off in 2026. Emily Ann Roberts honored SESAC affiliates Jim Lauderdale and Steve Bogard’s recent induction to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame with a performance of their hits “Carried Away” and “Hole In My Head”. Megan Moroney took the stage to perform her latest “Beautiful Things,” furthering the excitement for her third studio album, Cloud 9, to be released in February.
The celebration was hosted by SVP, Head of Nashville Creative, Shannan Hatch, alongside Senior Directors, Creative Services, ET Brown and Lydia Cahill. More than 500 songwriters, publishers, and industry professionals attended the awards celebration, sponsored in part by Hatef Aesthetics.
For a full list of honorees, visit www.sesac.com
