Music News (09/25/24)

NSAI Crowns Nashville Songwriter Award Winners

Ashley Gorley accepting his eighth NSAI Songwriter of the Year award. Photo: Jason Davis for NSAI

Songwriters, industry members and music fans gathered at the Ryman Auditorium this evening (Sept. 24) for NSAI’s seventh annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, presented by City National Bank.

In addition to staging many meaningful performances, the event revealed category winners for Song, Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the Year as well as the 2024 Legendary Song award and the “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” awards.

Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins won the title of Song of the Year with their Cody Johnson-recorded “The Painter.” Songwriter of the Year was awarded to Ashley Gorley, and Jelly Roll was minted as the Songwriter-Artist of the Year.

In addition to these category winners, NSAI also honored Country Music Hall of Famer Alan Jackson with the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. Legendary songwriter and producer Buddy Cannon received the NSAI President’s Keystone Award.

Click here to see the full list of winners.

Warner Chappell Music Elevates Spencer Nohe

Spencer Nohe. Photo: Gina Di Maio

Warner Chappell Music has elevated Spencer Nohe to Vice President, A&R.

He will continue reporting to Warner Chappell Music Nashville President & CEO Ben Vaughn to develop both emerging and established songwriters as well as expand creative opportunities for the publisher’s country roster.

Throughout his time in the industry, Nohe has worked with chart-topping superstars and rising hitmakers like Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure, Parker Welling, Casey Brown, Josh Kerr, Matt Jenkins, Alysa Vanderheym, Devin Dawson, Alana Springsteen, Brittney Spencer and Conner Smith, among others.

While attending Belmont University, he interned at Warner Music Group. Nohe went on to serve as Senior Director, A&R at Curb|Word Entertainment, followed by Creative Director at BMI. In 2020, he joined Warner Chappell Music Nashville as Director, A&R, where he focused on signing and developing songwriters and producers in a variety of genres. In 2022, he celebrated a Song of the Year win at the CMA Awards alongside Warner Chappell writer Matt Jenkins for hit single “Buy Dirt.”

“Spencer is a true, thoughtful music professional that balances the creativity expected when working daily with songwriters with the business mind needed to ensure their career paths are served and protected,” says Vaughn. “Happy to announce this well-deserved promotion today.”

“I’m incredibly grateful to continue serving the greatest roster of songwriters in the world alongside the best publishing staff in the world at Warner Chappell,” shares Nohe. “I have a great reverence for this town, its songwriters, and I feel truly honored to be a part of this community. Thank you to every writer who trusts me to be their champion and thank you to all of my publishing partners and managers who I work alongside daily. I’m looking forward to writing this next chapter with y’all!”

Travis Meadows Signs With Sheltered Music

Pictured (L-R): Darrell Franklin (Sr.VP Sheltered Music Publishing), Travis Meadows and Freeman Wizer (Sr. Creative Director Sheltered Music Publishing)

Singer-songwriter Travis Meadows has signed a global creative deal with Sheltered Music.

Meadows’ songwriting prowess has gained recognition from top artists in the industry, with a list of singles and cuts for country icons and rockers alike, including Cody Johnson, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church and many more. Some hits penned by Meadows include Dierks Bentley’s “Riser,” Johnson’s “Human,” Chesney’s “Better Boat” and Jake Owen’s “What We Ain’t Got.”

He has had a captivating journey and overcome many personal struggles, and through that, has evolved into a singer-songwriter that has earned accolades for his raw and authentic storytelling.

“Other songwriters and artists often describe Travis as a poet, and I’ve heard it said many times—it’s true,” says Darrell Franklin, Senior Vice President of Sheltered Music. “His heart and soul are felt in every lyric, and you believe every word. As if that weren’t enough, Travis (the artist) takes it to the next level. His delivery is as honest as the words he sings, taking us on a journey that can only be compared to heroes like Springsteen, Petty, and Dylan. I can’t express how honored we are to work with Travis.”

“I was ready for another chapter in my music career, and isn’t it just like life to open up opportunities when you ask for them,” shares Travis. “I’ve known Darrell and Freeman my entire Nashville experience. They are some of the best in the field and good people as well, so it made perfect sense to partner with people who I’ve known and trusted for years. I’m excited about this next phase of whatever comes to us through the magic of lyric and melody.”