Michael Tyler wins SESAC 2025 Songwriter of the Year (Photo credit: Katie Kauss)
According to news on Monday, "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, 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 more, visit www.sesac.com
Honorees:
“AM I OKAY?"
Written by: Megan Moroney
Published by: Megan Moroney
Recorded by: Megan Moroney
“BOYS BACK HOME”
Written by: Joe Fox
Published by: Real Bad Songs, Liz Rose Music, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: Dylan Marlowe and Dylan Scott
“COWBOY SONGS”
Written by: Lalo Guzman, Matt McGinn, Michael Tyler
Published by: MT Room, Boom Town Songs, Young Guns Tunes, SMACKWORKS Music, Warner Chappell Music, Melodies of CTM Outlander, Cinq Songs
Recorded by: George Birge
“I AM NOT OKAY”
Written by: Casey Brown
Published by: Track & Feels, Tape Room Tunes, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: Jelly Roll
“HOLY SMOKES”
Written by: Michael Tyler
Published by: MT Room, Young Gunes Tunes, Melodies of CTM Outlander
Recorded by: Bailey Zimmerman
“RELAPSE”
Written by: Justin Ebach
Published by: El Chapo Music
Recorded by: Warren Zeiders
“SINGLE AGAIN”
Written by: Joe Fox
Published by: Real Bad Songs, Liz Rose Music, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: Josh Ross
“TEXAS”
Written by: Lalo Guzman
Published by: SMACKWORKS Music
Recorded by: Blake Shelton
“THIS HEART”
Written by: Blake Bollinger, Michael Tyler
Published by: MT Room, I Like Big Cuts Publishing, Young Guns Tunes, Melodies of CTM Outlander, Combuster Bluth
Recorded by: Corey Kent
“TRUCK ON FIRE"
Written by: Justin Ebach
Published by: Phat Racoon, Universal Tunes
Recorded by: Carly Pearce
“WIND UP MISSIN’ YOU”
Written by: Chris LaCorte
Published by: Card Tables Music, Concord Tunes, Hang Your Hat Hits
Recorded by: Tucker Wetmore
“BAGGAGE”
Written by: Alysa Vanderheym
Published by: Vandeezy Songs, Warner Chappell Music, Songs of Rhythm House Black
Recorded by: Kelsea Ballerini
“BREAK IT RIGHT BACK”
Written by: Rob Hatch, Megan Moroney
Published by: Shannanigans Publishing, Georgiamo, Eclipse Three Music
Recorded by: Megan Moroney
“HAPPEN TO ME”
Written by: Chris LaCorte
Published by: Card Tables Music, Concord Tunes, Hang Your Hat Hits
Recorded by: Russell Dickerson
“CAROLINE”
Written by: Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett
Published by: Universal Polygram International Tunes Inc
Recorded by: Mumford & Sons
“RUSHMERE”
Written by: Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett
Published by: Universal Polygram International Tunes Inc
Recorded by: Mumford & Sons
“PROGRESS OF MAN (BITCOIN & CATTLE)”
Written by: Hayes Carll
Published by: Highway 87 Publishing
Recorded by: Hayes Carll
“ANY OTHER WAY”
Written by: Hayes Carll
Published by: Highway 87 Publishing
Recorded by: Hayes & The Heathens
“DANCE WITH A STRANGER”
Written by: Rachael Price
Published by: 17 Lake Street Music, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: Lake Street Dive
“DON’T LET THE BASTARDS GET YOU DOWN”
Written by: Margo Price, Jeremy Ivey
Published by: Peach Pit, Fisheye, Good Songs We Love, RMM 416 Publishing
Recorded by: Margo Price
